LANDFORM REGIONS OF CANADA Canada is divided into seven landform regions: Cordillera Interior Plains Canadian Shield Great Lakes - St.Lawrence Lowlands Appalachians Arctic and Hudson Bay Lowlands Arctic Lowlands (Innuitian Mountains)

The Cordillera Covers over 1.5 million sq km (about 1/6 of Canada’s territory) Contains the highest mountains in Canada (Mt. Logan, Mt. Robson) Contains the continental divide Has volcanic and earthquake activity in recent centuries Temperate rainforest Natural Resources – forests, fish, minerals and hydroelectric power Major cities – Vancouver and Victoria Video 1

Google Earth Vancouver Island

Coastal Mountains

The West Coast Mountains VERY TALL PEAKS VOLCANIC MANY FIORDS IN SOME AREAS, THE SEA OFFERS THE BEST WAY TO GET AROUND COMMUNITIES IN VALLEYS ON SHORELINES

WEST COAST MOUNTAINS INDUSTRIES TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE RESOURCES AND LANDFORMS OF THE AREA WHISTLER ATTRACTS A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF ….

WEST COAST EXTREME WHY WOULD EARLY SETTLERS HAVE FOUND THIS REGION DIFFICULT TO CROSS? WHAT WOULD DISCOURAGE SETTLERS FROM REMAINING IN THIS REGION?

THE ROCKIES Rockies Video CANADA’S LARGEST MOUNTAINS WHAT WOULD YOU TELL A FRIEND ABOUT ROCKIES’ VEGETATION AND CLIMATE? Rockies Video – from geologic journey Rockies Video

Unlike flat regions, mountains are known for fast-flowing rivers which gouge steep valleys in the landscape

In what ways do the climate and vegetation change as you go up the mountainside?

Interior Plains

The Interior Plains (Prairies) Once the bed of a huge sea between the Canadian Shield and the Rockies Mostly flat Composed of sedimentary rocks Highly suitable for farming where climate offers the right conditions

The Interior Plains A typical huge prairie farm. Video 1

Human/Environment Interaction Increased immigration to the plains brought overhunting and loss of habitat which left the bison nearly extint.

The Interior Plains Economy Agriculture is one of the most important activities in the Interior Plains What other major resource activity takes place there?

Transport on the Prairies Canada’s wheat basket requires many kilometers of rail lines to deliver wheat to Vancouver, Hudson Bay and Thunder Bay

Canadian Shield Video 1

The Canadian Shield Largest region in Canada Among the oldest known rocks on the planet Formed by volcanic activity, therefore mostly igneous rock (process created many valuable minerals – copper, gold, lead, diamonds, etc) Cold winters, warm summers, precipitation all year give it a distinctive type of vegetation Video 2

CANADIAN SHIELD Stretches from Arctic to Great Lakes, from Mackenzie delta to Atlantic Soils are thin - a poor choice for agriculture in most places

CANADIAN SHIELD The wetlands & forests of the Shield region supported huge populations of fur-bearing animals such as the beaver. This made the region a vital part of the fur trade.

Great Lakes - St. Lawrence Lowlands

Great Lakes St. Lawrence Lowlands Most southerly and smallest landform region of Canada Newest landform region Formed by the action of glaciers scraping away and re-depositing material on the landscape Consists of lakes, valleys and rolling hills Video

The Appalachians

APPALACHIANS What does this remind you of? This is part of the Cabot Trail on Cape Breton Island Video

APPALACHIAN Region Extension of the Appalachian mountains Rich fishing resources

ARCTIC AND HUDSON BAY LOWLANDS Usual to think the Arctic has few if any plants During which two months would you expect to see the most Arctic growth?

The Arctic - the most varied Canadian region This is the Brodeur peninsula of Baffin Island

Brodeur Peninsula - Baffin Island These are called Hoodoos Do you think these were formed by wind, waves or rivers?

Baffin Island Greenshield Glacier Continental glaciers or icefields

Shark Fjord This valley was carved out by a narrow band of glacial ice cutting into the plateau on either side

Labrador - Torngat Mountains

Ayr Lake - Baffin Island Very remote to most Canadians Some mining industries are leaving a permanent mark on the landscape