Human Geography of Canada

Economics Canada is one of the 10 wealthiest nations in the world Economic System – Mixed Canada is a member of NAFTA – along with the US & Mexico

Economics - Demographics High GDP per capita $43,400 High Life Expectancy 81.57 Low Population Growth 0.77% Low Infant Mortality 4.78 deaths/1,000 live births Canada is a More Developed country – ranked #11 on the Human Development Index

Where do you see most of the economic activities (both Agriculture & Industry) in Canada? Why? Discuss with your “family” and be prepared to explain and defend your “why” response.

Social – Colonization 14th & 15th century: British, French & Spanish explored the Eastern Coast and Hudson Bay area; later settling in this region French lost control of their territory at the end of Seven Years War (1763)

Social – Continental Expansion Transcontinental Railroad completed (1869-1885) Gold discovered in the Yukon Large numbers of fortune hunters traveled along RR route Towns developed along RR route Population still concentrated here today (near US/Canada border)

Social – Population Population is 35.1 million & growing – mostly near the US/Canadian border The people of Canada are mostly of European descent, but the “First Nations” are very vocal

Social – Canadian Culture What do you think a former Canadian Prime Minister meant by this statement aimed at the US? "Living next to you (the US) is in some ways like sleeping with an elephant. No matter how friendly or temperate the beast, one is affected by every twitch and grunt.“ Cultural Protectionism: In response to the effect of American popular culture, Canada has imposed “protectionism” policies.

Political – Government Independent nation in 1931 Parliamentary Government Legislative & Executive functions are combined Majority party’s leader in Parliament becomes “Prime Minister” Canada is independent but it’s symbolic head of state remains the British Monarch Member of the UN

Political – Provinces & Territories Canada is made up of 10 Provinces & 3 Territories Capital City: Ottawa Major Cities: Quebec, Toronto & Montreal Province of Quebec still has strong cultural ties to France Nunavut: territory given to Inuit population (Natives) 9A Territories are not sovereign, Provinces are. Provinces are similar to US States. Note: The term Inuit is favored over Eskimo in Canada & Greenland as the name “Eskimo” is seen as derogatory. Yes, they live in igloos… Eskimo is ONLY acceptable in Alaska & Siberia. Besides the Inuit, Canada has a large and well-organized native population (referred to as First Nations)

Human-Environment Interaction Plentiful resources – minerals, fossil fuels, forest lands High latitudes require adaptation in northern locations Transportation networks removed barriers & helped people develop the west and north You should remember most of this from Your Mapping Lab. Western Canada is oil-rich. Canada produces 60+ minerals, including iron, gold, uranium, coal, etc. There are 7 different climate zones in Canada –Arctic –Subartic -East Coast -Humid Continental -Dry continental –Mountain -Marine West Coast Southern Ontario enjoys warm, humid summers and short, cold winters, because of the moderating influence of the Great Lakes. The mountainous interior of British Columbia and the Yukon Territory support glaciers on the summits and semideserts in the valleys. The midlatitude Prairies experience continental extremes: cold winters and hot, dry summers. The high-latitude Arctic endures intensely dry and frigid conditions. The largest zone by far is the Subarctic, which knows short, cool summers and long, cold winters, and low precipitation. All of southern Canada is classified as “temperate” — that is, it has four seasons. Winter touches all zones, save the Pacific, where warm winds promote a mild, rainy climate year-round. By contrast, the prevailing west-to-east winds moving across central Canada bring cool, humid summers and short, cool winters to Atlantic Canada.