Our Neighbor to the North Canada’sPhysicalGeography ©2011 Clairmont Press

Locating Physical Features of Canada Atlantic Ocean Atlantic Ocean Pacific Ocean Pacific Ocean Hudson Bay Hudson Bay St. Lawrence River St. Lawrence River Great Lakes Great Lakes Canadian Shield Canadian Shield Rocky Mountains Rocky Mountains Link:

Atlantic Ocean The Atlantic Ocean borders Canada’s eastern coastline. The Atlantic Ocean borders Canada’s eastern coastline. The Atlantic plays a huge role in Canada’s economic production because it is connected to the Great Lakes region by the St. Lawrence River. This region is where most of Canada’s industries are located. The Atlantic plays a huge role in Canada’s economic production because it is connected to the Great Lakes region by the St. Lawrence River. This region is where most of Canada’s industries are located. The Atlantic has played a significant role in Canada’s history as well. The Vikings, French, and English settlers traveled across the Atlantic to explore and colonize the region. The Atlantic has played a significant role in Canada’s history as well. The Vikings, French, and English settlers traveled across the Atlantic to explore and colonize the region. Sunset on Nova Scotia’s Atlantic Coastline Image by Aconcagua on Wikimedia Commons

Pacific Ocean The Pacific Ocean borders western Canada. The Pacific Ocean borders western Canada. The Pacific is very significant in fishing and shipping industries, especially from the west coast province of British Columbia and the city of Vancouver. The Pacific is very significant in fishing and shipping industries, especially from the west coast province of British Columbia and the city of Vancouver. The Pacific Ocean’s current brings tremendous moisture to the Coastal Mountain region. The Pacific Ocean’s current brings tremendous moisture to the Coastal Mountain region. This creates dense rainforests of evergreen trees along the Pacific Coast. This creates dense rainforests of evergreen trees along the Pacific Coast. Many Asian migrants travelled across the Pacific to work in the boom towns of Canada’s western frontier. Many Asian migrants travelled across the Pacific to work in the boom towns of Canada’s western frontier. A view of the Pacific coastline from an Island near Vancouver, British Columbia.

Hudson Bay Named for the famous English explorer Henry Hudson. Hudson Bay is a large inlet of water that is easily visible on a map of Canada. The bay borders the unique landform called the Canadian Shield to the South and the Arctic Ocean to the North. Hudson Bay was the center of growth for the large ice sheet that cut out most of Canada’s shield region. Link: Hudson Bay MapHudson Bay Map Hudson Bay, Nunavut, Canada Photo: Public Domain

St. Lawrence River The St. Lawrence River flows inland from the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Atlantic Ocean. The St. Lawrence River flows inland from the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Atlantic Ocean. The St. Lawrence flows over Niagara Falls. The St. Lawrence flows over Niagara Falls. Niagara Falls Niagara Falls The St. Lawrence Seaway was created to connect the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes. The St. Lawrence Seaway was created to connect the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes.St. Lawrence SeawaySt. Lawrence Seaway The St. Lawrence is now a major trade point because of the importance of the Great Lakes industrial sector in both Canada and the United States. The St. Lawrence is now a major trade point because of the importance of the Great Lakes industrial sector in both Canada and the United States. St. Lawrence River in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada Photo: Wikimedia Commons – Datch78 Link: St. Lawrence River mapSt. Lawrence River map

Great Lakes The Great Lakes are a combination of lakes shared by both Canada and the United States. The Great Lakes are a combination of lakes shared by both Canada and the United States. Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, Lake Ontario Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, Lake Ontario The Great Lakes are deep enough and large enough to have major container ships come from the Atlantic Ocean. The Great Lakes are deep enough and large enough to have major container ships come from the Atlantic Ocean. The Great Lakes are large enough to greatly affect the northeastern and central United States’ climate. The Great Lakes are large enough to greatly affect the northeastern and central United States’ climate. Link: Photo of Lake Michigan in ChicagoPhoto of Lake Michigan in Chicago Looking across Lake Michigan to the Chicago skyline Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Canadian Shield This rough and rugged “shield” is home to Canada’s most valuable mineral resources. This rough and rugged “shield” is home to Canada’s most valuable mineral resources. The shield area was scraped by receding glaciers that covered the region during the last Ice Age. The shield area was scraped by receding glaciers that covered the region during the last Ice Age. The Canadian Shield proved to be a tough obstacle during the building of railways connecting Eastern Canada and the Pacific West. The Canadian Shield proved to be a tough obstacle during the building of railways connecting Eastern Canada and the Pacific West. The Shield is unique to Canada and is the source of much controversy between mining companies and environmentally conscious Canadians. The Shield is unique to Canada and is the source of much controversy between mining companies and environmentally conscious Canadians. Canadian shield area, Ontario, Canada Photo: Wikimedia Commons – P199 Link: North America Map with Canadian ShieldNorth America Map with Canadian Shield

Rocky Mountains The Rocky Mountains stretch from New Mexico all the way to Alaska. The U.S. shares the Rocky Mountains with Canada. The Rocky Mountains stretch from New Mexico all the way to Alaska. The U.S. shares the Rocky Mountains with Canada. The Rocky Mountains dominate the western landscape of Canada and the United States. The Rocky Mountains dominate the western landscape of Canada and the United States. Known for their rugged appearance and difficulty crossing, the Rocky Mountains served as a barrier between Central Canada and Western Canada for centuries. Known for their rugged appearance and difficulty crossing, the Rocky Mountains served as a barrier between Central Canada and Western Canada for centuries. The Rocky Mountains were home to a famous Gold Rush, the subject of Jack London’s White Fang. The Rocky Mountains were home to a famous Gold Rush, the subject of Jack London’s White Fang. Canadian Rocky Mountains Photo: Harvey Barrison