1. SS6G5 The student will locate selected features of Canada.
SS6G6 The student will explain the impact of location, climate, distribution of natural
resources, and population distribution on Canada.
SS6G7 The student will discuss environmental issues in Canada
GEOGRAPHY OF CANADA

2. ELEMENTS
Locate on a world and regional political-physical map: the St. Lawrence River, Hudson Bay, Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, the Great Lakes, Canadian Shield, and Rocky Mountains 
Describe how Canada’s location, climate, and natural resources have affected where people live
Describe how Canada’s location, climate, and natural resources impact trade
Explain the major environmental concerns of Canada regarding acid rain and pollution of the Great Lakes, the extraction and use of natural resources on the Canadian Shield, and timber resources

3. ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
How do people contribute to Canada’s pollution problems?
How are acid rain, pollution of the Great Lakes, the extraction and use of natural resources on the Canadian Shield, and timber resources Canada’s major environmental concerns?
What are the major physical features of Canada, and where are they located on a map?
How do the factors of location, climate, access to water, and natural resources affect where Canadians choose to live and work?
How do the factors of location, climate, access to water, and natural resources affect trade?

4. THE PHYSICAL FEATURES OF CANADA
Canada is a country located north of the United States and is the second largest country in the world
Canada’s physical features include:
Rivers
St. Lawrence River
Mountains
Rocky Mountains
Bodies of water
Pacific Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
Hudson Bay
Great Lakes
Landforms
Canadian Shield

5. KEY PROVINCES OF CANADA
Canada does not have states, but rather its regions are called provinces
The major provinces of Canada are:
Ontario
Alberta
Quebec
Manitoba
British Columbia
Newfoundland
Nunavut
Canada’s capital city is Ottawa, located in Ontario

6. MAP OF CANADA

7. THE CLIMATE, LOCATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES OF CANADA
Much of Canada is cold
The mountain region of Canada is snow and ice, while the plains region has warm and temperate climate
The Great Lakes area has temperate climate as well
Location
Most Canadians live in the cities and towns in the southern part of Canada
Eskimos live in the northern part near the Arctic Circle
Natural Resources
Canada’s natural resources include fishing, lumber, wheat, nickel, copper, zinc, silver, gold, uranium, oil, natural gas

8. TRADE IN CANADA Canada’s main trade partners are the U.S. and Mexico
Canada’s main exports are minerals and fishing

9. POLLUTION IN THE GREAT LAKES
Acid Rain is a major issue in Canada
Caused by vehicle emissions and coal plants
Found mainly in Ontario and Quebec
Waste, fertilizers, oil, grease, sewage, salt and runoff pollute the Great Lakes
Both the U.S. and Canada are changing regulations to help clean the area

10. THE EXTRACTION OF NATURAL RESOURCES
Minerals
RIVERS AND TREES
Minerals are being extracted, or taken out, from the Canadian Shield
The mining of minerals causes toxic waste to get into the ground and habitat loss
The Inuit people who live there are also losing land due to mining
Rivers in the Canadian Shield produce hydroelectricity
Energy generated by falling water
Hydroelectricity causes erosion, flooding and habitat loss
The cutting of trees in the Canadian Shield leads to flooding of the region