Human Geography of Canada

Developing a Vast Wilderness

Three major groups in Canada—the native peoples, the French, and the English—have melded into a diverse and economically strong nation.

Canadian fur trapper.

NEXT

SECTION 1 History and Government of Canada

SECTION 2 Economy and Culture of Canada

Human Geography of Canada

Developing a Vast Wilderness

SECTION 3 Subregions of Canada

NEXT

Unit Atlas: PoliticalUnit Atlas: Physical

Section 1

History and Government of Canada• French and British settlement greatly

influenced Canada’s political development.

• Canada’s size and climate affected economic growth and population distribution.

NEXT

SECTION

1

continued The First Settlers and Colonial Rivalry

Colonization by France and Britain• French explorers claim much of Canada in 1500–

1600s as “New France”• British settlers colonize the Atlantic Coast• Coastal fisheries and inland fur trade important to

both countries• Britain wins French and Indian War (1754–1763);

French settlers stay

NEXT

Steps Toward Unity

Establishing the Dominion of Canada• In 1791 Britain creates two political units called

provinces - Upper Canada (later, Ontario): English-speaking,

Protestant - Lower Canada (Quebec): French-speaking,

Roman Catholic • Rupert’s Land a northern area owned by fur-trading

company• Immigrants arrive, cities develop: Quebec City,

Montreal, Toronto - railways, canals are built as explorers seek

better fur-trading areas

SECTION

1

Continued . . .NEXT

SECTION

1

Establishing the Dominion of Canada• Political, ethnic disputes lead to Britain’s 1867 North

America Act- creates Dominion of Canada as a loose

confederation (political union)- Upper Canada (Ontario), Lower Canada (Quebec), Nova Scotia, New Brunswick - self-governed part of British Empire

• Expansion includes: - Rupert’s Land, Manitoba, British Columbia,

Prince Edward Island - later: Yukon Territory, Alberta, Saskatchewan - Newfoundland in 1949

continued Steps Toward Unity

Map

NEXT

Continental Expansion and Development

From the Atlantic to the Pacific• In 1885 a transcontinental railroad goes from

Montreal to Vancouver• European immigrants arrive and Yukon gold brings

fortune hunters- copper, zinc, silver also found; grow towns,

railroads

SECTION

1

Urban and Industrial Growth• Farming gives way to urban industrialization,

manufacturing - within 100 miles of U.S. border due to milder

climate, fertile soil, and availability of the railway system

Image

NEXT

Governing Canada

The Parliamentary System• In 1931 Canada becomes independent, British

monarch is symbolic head• Parliamentary government:

- parliament —legislature combining legislativeand executive functions

- prime minister, seen as the head of government, is the majority party leader - consists of an appointed Senate, elected

House of Commons • All ten provinces have own legislature and premier

(prime minister)- federal government administers the territories

SECTION

1

NEXT

Section 2

Economy and Culture of Canada• Canada is highly industrialized and

urbanized, with one of the world’s most developed economies.

• Canadians are a diverse people.

NEXT

SECTION

2

Service Industries Drive the Economy• Most Canadians work in service industries, which

create 60% of GDP. Manufacturing accounts for 15%- Agriculture is a very small percentage of the GDP as a result of only 5% of the land being arable (suitable for farming)

• Heavy trade with U.S.: same language, open border (world’s longest)- 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement

(NAFTA) with U.S., Mexico - 85% of Canadian exports go to U.S.- 75% of Canada’s imports come from U.S.

continued An Increasingly Diverse Economy

Image

NEXT

A Land of Many Cultures

Languages and Religions• Original settlers are known as the Inuit and the First

Nations• Mixing of French and native peoples created métis

culture• Bilingual: English is most common, except in

French-speaking Quebec• English Protestants and French Catholics dominate,

but often clash- increasing numbers of Muslims, Jews, other

groups

SECTION

2

Continued . . .NEXT

SECTION

2

Canada’s Population• Densest in port cities (Montreal, Toronto,

Vancouver) and farmlands• Environment keeps 80% of people on 10% of land

(near U.S. border)• Urbanization: in 1900 33% of people lived in cities,

today it’s 80%• Various ethnic groups cluster in certain areas

- 75% of French Canadians live in Quebec - many native peoples live on reserves—public

land set aside for them - most Inuits live in the remote Arctic north - many Canadians of Asian ancestry live on

West Coast

continued A Land of Many Cultures

Image

NEXT

Section 3

Subregions of Canada• Canada is divided into four subregions: the

Atlantic, Core, and Prairie Provinces, and the Pacific Province and the Territories.

• Each subregion possesses unique natural resources, landforms, economic activities, and cultural life.

NEXT

The Atlantic Provinces

Harsh Lands and Small Populations• Eastern Canada’s Atlantic Provinces:

- Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, NovaScotia, Newfoundland

• Only 8% of Canada’s population, due to rugged terrain, harsh weather

• Most people live off of the fishing and logging in the region

SECTION

3 Subregions of Canada

Continued . . .NEXT

SECTION

3

Economic Activities• New Brunswick’s largest industry: logging (lumber,

wood pulp, paper)• Gulf of St. Lawrence, coastal waters supply seafood

for export• Nova Scotia: logging, fishing, shipbuilding, trade

through Halifax• Newfoundland: fishing, mining, logging, hydro-

electric power- supplies power to Quebec, parts of northeastern

U.S.

continued The Atlantic Provinces

Image

NEXT

The Core Provinces— Quebec and Ontario

The Heartland of Canada• Quebec City: French explorer Samuel de

Champlain built fort in 1608• 60% Canada’s population live in Core Provinces

Ontario and Quebec- Ontario has largest population; Quebec has

largest land area

SECTION

3

Continued . . .NEXT

The Prairie Provinces

Canada’s Breadbasket• Great Plains Prairie Provinces: Manitoba,

Saskatchewan, Alberta • Known as Canada’s breadbasket because 50% of

Canada’s agricultural production- 60% of mineral output- Alberta has coal, oil deposits; produces 90%

of Canada’s natural gas

SECTION

3

Continued . . .NEXT

SECTION

3

continued The Prairie Provinces

A Cultural Mix • Manitoba: Scots-Irish, Germans, Scandinavians,

Ukrainians, Poles• Saskatchewan’s population includes Asian

immigrants, métis• Alberta’s diversity includes Indian, Japanese,

Lebanese, Vietnamese

NEXT

The Pacific Province and the Territories

British Columbia• British Columbia —westernmost province, mostly

in Rocky Mountains- 1/2 is forests; 1/3 is frozen tundra, snowfields,

glaciers • Most people live in southwest; major cities are

Victoria, Vancouver• Economy built on logging, mining, hydroelectric

power- Vancouver is Canada’s largest port, has

prosperous shipping trade

SECTION

3

Continued . . .NEXT

SECTION

3

continued The Pacific Province and the Territories

The Territories• The three northern territories account for 41% of

Canada’s land• Sparsely populated due to rugged land and severe

climate - Yukon has population of 30,000; mostly

wilderness - Northwest Territories has population of 41,000;

extends into Arctic - Nunavut was created from Northwest Territories

in 1999; home to Inuit • Territories’ economies include mining, fishing, some

logging

NEXT