Arviat (pop. 2,657) is one of Nunavut’s fastest growing communities. Formerly called Eskimo Point until 1989, the hamlet is located on the western shore of Hudson Bay in Nunavut's Kivalliq Region. It is a cultural centre, with many artists and a strong link to language. It is also well known for its wildlife. Polar bears and many thousands of geese and other migratory birds nest nearby. Beluga and bowhead whales can be spotted in summer and fall.