1. Developing a Vast Wilderness
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.
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2. Developing a Vast Wilderness
Human Geography of Canada
Developing a Vast Wilderness
SECTION 1
History and Government of Canada
SECTION 2
Economy and Culture of Canada
SECTION 3
Subregions of Canada
Unit Atlas: Physical
Unit Atlas: Political
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3. History and Government of Canada
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.
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4. Colonization by France and Britain
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
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5. Steps Toward Unity Establishing the Dominion of Canada
SECTION 1
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
Continued . . .
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7. Establishing the Dominion of Canada
SECTION 1
continued Steps Toward Unity
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
Map
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8. Continental Expansion and Development
SECTION 1
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
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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
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11. Governing Canada The Parliamentary System
SECTION 1
Governing Canada
The Parliamentary System
• In 1931 Canada becomes independent, British monarch is symbolic head
• Parliamentary government:
- parliament —legislature combining legislative
and executive functions
- prime minister, head of government, is
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
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13. Parliament Hill

14. Economy and Culture of Canada
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.
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15. Service Industries Drive the Economy
SECTION 2
continued An Increasingly Diverse Economy
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)
North American Free Trade Agreement
(NAFTA) with U.S., Mexico
- 75% of Canadian exports go to U.S.
- 50% of Canada’s imports come from U.S.
Image
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16. A Land of Many Cultures Languages and Religions
SECTION 2
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
Continued . . .
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17. SECTION 2
continued A Land of Many Cultures
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 % 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
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18. Montreal

19. Subregions of Canada Section 3
• 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.
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20. Subregions of Canada The Atlantic Provinces
SECTION
Subregions of Canada 3
The Atlantic Provinces
Harsh Lands and Small Populations
• Eastern Canada’s Atlantic Provinces:
- Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Nova
Scotia, 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
Continued . . .
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21. SECTION 3
continued The Atlantic Provinces
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.
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22. The Core Provinces— Quebec and Ontario
SECTION 3
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
Continued . . .
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23. The Prairie Provinces Canada’s Breadbasket
SECTION 3
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
Continued . . .
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24. 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
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25. The Pacific Province and the Territories
SECTION 3
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
Continued . . .
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26. 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
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