Canada Location, climate, & resources

GPS & E.Q. GPS: SS6G6a. Explain how Canada’s location, climate, and natural resources have affected where people live. GPS: SS6G6b. Describe how Canada’s location, climate, and resources impact trade. E.Q. How have location, climate, and natural resources impacted population distribution in Canada?

Canada: Location

Canada’s Climate Zones Stays below 0 degrees year round Stays below 10 degrees year round No true summer [over 10] Too dry and cold for tree growth 3 months of summer Coniferous forest - no grain crops 4 months of summer at least Grain crops and forests possible No true winter [above -3 degrees year round [3 summer months] Plenty of rain - tall forests Stays below 0 degrees year round Stays below 10 degrees year round No true summer [over 10] Too dry and cold for tree growth 3 months of summer Coniferous forest - no grain crops 4 months of summer at least Grain crops and forests possible No true winter [above -3 degrees year round [3 summer months] Plenty of rain - tall forests West coast climate with lots of rain and tall forests More than 4 summer months West coast climate with lots of rain and tall forests More than 4 summer months Hot summer [above 22 degrees] Mixed agriculture Hot summer [above 22 degrees] Mixed agriculture Stays below 0 degrees year round Stays below 10 degrees year round No true summer [over 10] Too dry and cold for tree growth 3 months of summer Coniferous forest - no grain crops 4 months of summer at least Grain crops and forests possible No true winter [above -3 degrees year round [3 summer months] Plenty of rain - tall forests Stays below 0 degrees year round Stays below 10 degrees year round No true summer [over 10] Too dry and cold for tree growth 3 months of summer Coniferous forest - no grain crops 4 months of summer at least Grain crops and forests possible No true winter [above -3 degrees year round [3 summer months] Plenty of rain - tall forests West coast climate with lots of rain and tall forests More than 4 summer months West coast climate with lots of rain and tall forests More than 4 summer months Hot summer [above 22 degrees] Mixed agriculture Hot summer [above 22 degrees] Mixed agriculture West coast climate with lots of rain and tall forests More than 4 summer months Cool grassland - average summer months under 18 degrees Not enough rainfall to sustain forests Stays below 0 degrees year round Stays below 10 degrees year round No true summer [over 10] Too dry and cold for tree growth 3 months of summer Coniferous forest - no grain crops 4 months of summer at least Grain crops and forests possible No true winter [above -3 degrees year round [3 summer months] Plenty of rain - tall forests Hot summer [above 22 degrees] Mixed agriculture

Natural Resources of Canada: iron ore, nickel, zinc, copper, gold, lead, rare earth elements, molybdenum, potash, diamonds, silver, fish, timber, wildlife, coal, petroleum, natural gas, hydropower

Population Density of Canada per square mile Yellow=less than 1 Green=1-4.9 Gold= Orange= purple= Pink=greater than 150

Canada Largest country in western hemisphere Population is small compared to size – most live in southeast and south-central Most (80%) live in towns/cities (urban)

Golden Horseshoe zone around southern end of Lake Ontario – includes Toronto: ¼ of all Canadians live here

another ¼ live in areas of Montreal, Victoria/Vancouver Island, & Calgary- Edmonton

Great Lakes & St. Lawrence River: important trade routes from Atlantic Ocean into central Canada

Railroads and highways carry goods inland from both coasts

9 major seaports that help Canada trade with the world

Canada’s Climate Keeps people living in just a few areas

SE Canada humid continental climate – warm to hot summers & cold winters 60+ inches precipitation/year – snow can exceed 100 inches/year Long growing season central plains are good source of canola, wheat, & other grains

Pacific Coast Temperate climate – cool summers, warm winters 100+ inches of rain/year – most in winter

Northern Canada Subarctic climate – long, cold winters & short, cool summers – can freeze even in summer!

Canada’s Natural Resources Iron ore, nickel, copper, zinc, gold, lead, molybdenum, potash, diamonds, silver Fish, fresh water, hydroelectric power Good soil Timber, wildlife Coal, oil, natural gas – enough to supply Canada & to sell

Resources are in remote areas, so people are spread across Canada in small communities where mining, farming, & fishing are important. Resources are shipped by rail or highway to cities

How location, climate, and resources impact trade Located on 3 oceans (Atlantic, Arctic, Pacific) – good for trade with Europe & Asia 9 seaports Russia is nearby – can travel across Arctic when not frozen Goods can be shipped without passing through other countries

St Lawrence Seaway & Great Lakes allow transported goods from Atlantic into central Canada Next to U.S. – easy to trade – 80% of Canada’s exports are to the U.S.

Southern Canada’s climate is good for farming; only 5% of country has rich soil (but large amount) – produces grains for export Exports oil, natural gas, fish, & timber Exports extra hydroelectric energy to U.S.