To The or Not To The

There is an ongoing debate in the Yukon about whether or not there should be a "the" placed in front of Yukon. The government thinks not. Many locals think the government should stay out of it. Some say that its incorrect grammar to use "the". I think that's just arguing semantics. Others point out that we don't say "the Saskatchewan" or "the Ontario", but I would point out that we do say "the Riviera" and "the Congo". I've also heard it said that "the" is correct because the name is derived from the Yukon River and all place names that come from a river include "the". I don't know what is "correct" (although I am certain there are people who lose sleep over it!). Personally I think it makes more sense to include the "the" because "the Yukon" is essentially a shortening of "the Yukon Territory". But when it comes down to it, I find it always sounds wrong to just say "Yukon" without the "the". So expect me to keep using it here in this blog.

I'm quite sure this argument will continue long after I've left this place!