Human Geography of Canada Chapter 7 Developing a Vast Wilderness

Early Peoples Vast size & cold climate affected development 1st settlers came from Asia across the land bridge Ancestors of the Inuit & Native American Indians

Early Peoples About A.D. 1000, Leif Erikson landed in what is now Newfoundland Called it Vinland, after the wild grapes there Vikings built a settlement & later abandoned it

Early Peoples In 1497, Giovanni Caboto (John Cabot in English) an Italian navigator, landed in Newfoundland & claimed the region for England European exploration & colonization followed

France & Britain In the 16th & 17th century, French explorers claimed much of Canada Settlements were called New France British colonized the Atlantic coast Fisheries & inland fur trade were important to both

French & British Challenged Claims British defeated the French in the French & Indian War (1754-1763) Forced France to surrender its territory, but French settlers remained

Steps Toward Unity In the 18th century, there were 2 distinct cultures Roman Catholic French & Protestant English Conflict erupted In 1791, the British government split Canada into 2 provinces Upper Canada (Ontario) – English speaking majority Lower Canada (Quebec) – French speaking majority

Dominion of Canada In 1867, created the Dominion of Canada Loose confederation of Ontario, Quebec, 2 British colonies (Nova Scotia & New Brunswick) Remained part of the British Empire, but had self-government Ottawa, Ontario became the capital

Canada’s Government Today Recognized by the British as an independent nation in 1931 Parliamentary government, system in which legislative & executive functions are combined in the legislature called a parliament Parliament consists of an appointed Senate & an elected House of Commons The majority party’s leader in Parliament becomes Prime Minister

Parliament

Economy Industries: Farming Logging Mining Fishing Automobiles Steel Household appliances Electronics High-tech and mining equipment

Economy 60% of the GDP comes from service industries Tourism, communications, finance, utilities, etc. NAFTA – North American Free Trade Agreement Made trade between Mexico, U.S., & Canada easier

Language Officially a bilingual country English-speaking majority French-speaking minority Native languages

Religion Protestant (English) Roman Catholic (French) Muslims Jews

Population 33 million 80% of Canadians live on 10% of the land Most live along a 100 mile strip of land just north of the U.S. border

Life in Canada Today Leisure time Skating, ice hockey, fishing, skiing, golf, & hunting Professional sports teams (own football league and ice hockey, baseball, basketball teams compete in U.S. leagues)

Subregions of Canada Atlantic Provinces Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, & Newfoundland 8% of the population Most live on coastal cities Small population due to rugged terrain & severe weather

Nova Scotia

Subregions of Canada The Core Provinces Quebec & Ontario Canada’s heartland 3 out of 5 Canadians live there Settlement along the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway Political & economic life

Ottawa

Subregions of Canada The Prairie Provinces Manitoba, Saskatchewan, & Alberta Canada’s breadbasket 50% of Canada’s agricultural production

Subregions of Canada British Columbia & the Territories Yukon Territory, Northwest Territories, & Nunavut Vancouver, BC is Canada’s largest port Territories make up 41% of the land mass

Vancouver