| northwest territories | A federally administered division of canada, consisting of the mainland between the yukon territory in the west and hudson bay on the east, the islands in the hudson, james, and ungava bays, and all islands north of the mainland. Its capital is yellowknife. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| pacific islands | The islands of the pacific ocean divided into micronesia, melanesia, and polynesia (including new zealand). The collective name oceania includes the aforenamed islands, adding Australia, new zealand, and the malay archipelago (indonesia). (12 Dec 1998) |
| pacific states | The geographic designation for states bordering on or located in the pacific ocean. The states so designated are alaska, california, hawaii, oregon, and washington. (u.s. Geologic survey telephone communication) (12 Dec 1998) |