Let's look at the fundamental geography theme - regions and identify the physical regions of Canada.

 are areas that have similar characteristics, according to a set of chosen criteria. Regions are the basic units of geographic study.  Regions can be based on criteria as diverse as climate to natural vegetation to life expectancy to language to available health care to international trade.  In this lesson, you are going to review the Physical Regions of Canada which you learned in Social Studies 10.

 Cordillera is a Spanish term for a parallel set of mountains.  The Cordillera is a Region in Western Canada that is covered with a large chain of mountains that go up to 4200 meters above sea level, they are called “The Rocky Mountains” and a variety of trees like Douglas Firs, and Red Cedars.  The climate varies greatly from extremely wet, rainy areas to near deserts, and winter wonderlands. Forestry is the heart of the Cordilleras industry. Fishing is also a major artery for the Cordilleras economy.  Mining used to be a main contributor.

 The Plains region is in between the Cordillera and the Great Canadian Shield. It is found in the Yukon, Northwest Territories, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Sometimes, people make the mistake of calling the Plains the Prairie Provinces or just the Prairies

 There are 3 flat levels of elevation and each level is lower as you move to the east. If you can picture 3 steps on stairs that descend, then you sort of get what it looks like. Furthermore, found within these 3 levels of flat elevation, you may find hills, escarpments (cliffs), low mountains, forests, wide river valleys and there are even sand dunes!

 The Canadian Shield is the largest of Canada's 6 physical regions  This area completely surrounds the Hudson's Bay in the shape of a horseshoe. It includes the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Quebec, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador (Labrador only).

 It mainly is rock that was once mountains millions of years agorock

 Climate is linked to landforms in many ways. The Great Lakes cause the hot humid weather found here in the summer by providing the moisture in the air (precipitation). The St. Lawrence Lowlands is the closest region in Canada to the equator, making the weather mild. There can be 100cm of rain each year from the humidity in the summer.

 The area is located in all of the 4 maritime provinces (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador) as well as, the majority of the area known as the Gaspé Peninsula in Quebec, often referred to as the " Thumb of Quebec". The coastal climate varies throughout this region, but generally the further east you go, the warmer it gets. These areas are higher than the St. Lawrence, Great Lakes Lowlands (or region). The reason is because this area was a mountain range that formed millions and millions of years ago. Erosion and the movement of glacial ice wore these mountains down until what is left is an area full of rocks, many trees, rich soil, many lakes and coastal inlets. All of these wonderful resources add to the economy and development of the Atlantic Region

 The Northern Region is located in the Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Northern Quebec and the most extreme tip of Labrador and Newfoundland. Sometimes, when people think of Canada, they vision in their heads our northern region. In fact our northern region is the entire landscape of Canada which is north of the 60 N parallel (latitude). This area is very unique compared to the rest of Canada.  First of all, the Northern Landscape is a combination (mix) of the Cordillera, Plains and the Great Canadian Shield. Remember when you are studying the North to include the main features found in these 3 regions and apply them to this region.