Physical Features of Canada

Oceans

Pacific Ocean – borders Canada’s west coast.

Atlantic Ocean – borders Canada to the east.

Arctic Ocean – borders Canada to the north.

Major Bodies of Water

• What are they good for? • Why live near them?

GREAT LAKES

Among the largest freshwater lakes in the world.

Forms a border for parts of Canada and the United States.

1. Lake Huron

2. Lake Ontario

3. Lake Michigan

4. Lake Erie

5. Lake Superior

Major Bodies of Water

• What are they good for? • Why live near them?

Great Lakes Map

St. Lawrence River Runs inland into southeast Canada.

Connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Great Lakes. Great trade route.

Many cities exist around this waterway.

Hudson Bay Large body of water located near center of Canada.

Good for shipping and fishing. Located next to the Canadian Shield.

Major Bodies of Water

The Rocky Mountains begin in the southwestern U.S. and run thousands of miles into Canada.

They stretch all the way to Alaska.

The Rocky Mountains separate eastern and western Canada.

ROCKY MOUNTAINS

The tundra is frozen ground that covers much of northern Canada.

Temperatures in the tundra stay below freezing year round.

Ice and snow continually cover the ground.

Few people live in the frozen tundra.

TUNDRA

Canada’s Tundra

The Canadian Shield is a region covering much of northern and eastern Canada.

It has an abundance of mineral ores, such as gold, silver, copper, and nickel.

Mining is a major industry in this region.

CANADIAN SHIELD

Canadian Shield

CLIMATE

Canada is very far from the equator making it very cold.

The northern region is so cold that most people of Canada choose to live in the southern portion near the United States border.

Why do Canadians live where they do?

WATERWAYS

Most Canadians live in urban cities.

These cities popped up near bodies of water like rivers, oceans, and other waterways.

Waterways allow people to travel and transport goods which leads to trade.

Why do Canadians live where they do?