Download the RealPlayer plug-in for your browser. Liz Driver Eugenie Thomas The Quintessential home of the Inuit for millennia. Instantly recognizable throughout the world. Arguably one of the necessities of life in the North without which a whole race of people would not have survived.
A true icon of the north and by extension Canada. The meaning of "igloo" is dwelling. An "iglooaput" is a dwelling in snow! Some may be found as northern people travel, but this construction is something of the past. Canada was topped by the survival of this important group of people who helped make the Canadian Arctic what it is today. Smaller igloos are typically used by Inuit for fishing and hunting trips, as we've discussed. The larger, more permanent structures were created to form villages for longer-term, although still temporary, needs.
Some of the largest villages boasted halls for special occasions such as dances and feasts. Most igloos are self-sustaining due to the strength of ice.
But when spring hits, the sun and warmer temperatures turn igloos to slush. It's best to steer clear of defrosting igloos to avoid being caught in a cave-in. Snow: the Miracle Insulator Snow is a relatively easy material to work with for the experienced igloo-maker.
It is packed tightly by the freezing winds common to the areas inhabited by Inuit. Snow is easy to cut and surprisingly sturdy, and snow blocks are also pretty lightweight. Still, snow is pretty cold, so many people are skeptical of the igloo's ability to keep its occupants from freezing to death. The truth is, inhabitants might not be able to lounge around in their underwear, but they can exist comfortably inside an igloo, and a subzero sleeping bag can take the edge off.
The igloo has stood the test of time as a living establishment. Some experts say that a well-constructed igloo, coupled with a very small oil lamp and plain old body heat, can warm an igloo up to 40 degrees above the outside temperature.
It accomplishes this amazing feat thanks to several features:. It should be noted that the right type of snow is necessary to build an igloo. The soft, powdery stuff that falls in most backyards is not hard or packed tightly enough to build a reliable igloo. But if you're lucky enough to find the right kind of snow, you can try your hand at making your own igloo.
Learn how on the next page. Although some Inuit still use igloos for temporary shelter, they are far less common than they were just a few decades ago. However, many skiers and outdoor enthusiasts construct them to avoid the elements during camping and ski trips. The Inuit designed the igloo to be warm, sturdy and easy to construct. All it takes is a few simple tools , an abundance of snow and a little patience. The experienced igloo builder can put one together in as little as one hour.
Novice igloo builders can expect it to take an average of three to six hours. Constructing an igloo usually requires at least two people. Please note that this is a very basic description of how an igloo can be constructed and shouldn't take the place of instruction from an experienced builder. Don't head to the top of a mountain with nothing but a printout of these instructions!
Today, the Inuit have more housing options than just the igloo. But if you want to learn more about this humble abode, follow the links on the next page.
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CALL: We have all heard of an igloo, but what do we really know about them? You would need to use snow that has been on the ground longer which is below the soft, powdery new snow. If you book a Lapland stay with us, you can enjoy a drink and a snack whilst in there. An igloo is a simple structure and uses basic materials, however, it can be quite a challenge to make.
If made properly, it should be strong enough for a grown adult to stand on it without collapsing! Find your spot in the snow and draw out a circle with your spade. You can then dig down and create snow blocks for your igloo.
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