Canada’s Major Regions

I. Landforms and Climate A. Canada is located north of the main part of the United States. B. Between Canada and the United States lies the world’s longest undefended border. C. The friendship between the two countries allows thousands of people to cross this border each day.

I. Landforms and Climate D. Canada is the world’s second-largest country in land area. E. Canada is made up of 10 provinces, or regional political divisions. F. It also has three territories. G. The newest territory, Nunavut, was only created in 1999.

I. Landforms and Climate H. It is a homeland for Canada’s indigenous, or native, people. I. Glaciers, or giant sheets of ice, once covered most of Canada. J. These glaciers shaped the land so that now Canada has many lakes and waterways.

I. Landforms and Climate K. Canada generally has a cool or cold climate. L. Canada’s far north experiences a cold tundra climate. M. Tundra is a treeless plain where the soil beneath the first few inches is permanently frozen.

I. Landforms and Climate Farther south, Canadians have short, cool summers and long, cold winters. Many Landforms Shared with USA Niagara Falls Rocky Mountains St. Lawrence River Great Lakes (helpful with Trade)

II. The Economy of Canada A. Manufacturing, farming, and service industries are the country’s major economic activities. B. Fishing, mining, and lumbering are also important. C. Like the United States, Canada has a free market economy.

II. The Economy of Canada D. Canada’s government plays a more direct role in the economy. E. It provides health care and owns power companies. F. About $1 billion worth of trade passes between Canada and the United States each day.

II. The Economy of Canada G. In 1992 Canada, the United States, and Mexico entered into the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) to remove trade barriers among the three countries.

III. Canada’s Industries A. In Newfoundland and the Maritime Provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island, fishing has long been a major economic activity. B. The Grand Banks, off the coast of Newfoundland, is one of the best fishing grounds in the world. C. These waters have been overfished.

III. Canada’s Industries D. Overfishing results when too many fish are taken without giving time for the species to reproduce. E. Quebec is Canada’s largest province in land area. F. Quebec is home to almost 25 percent of Canadians. G. Quebec is a major financial and industrial region.

III. Canada’s Industries H. Montreal is the largest city in Quebec. I. Ontario is the second largest province in Canada. J. Ontario has the most people and greatest wealth.

III. Canada’s Industries K. Toronto is the capital of Ontario and Canada’s largest city. L. Toronto is the country’s chief manufacturing, financial, and communications center. M. Ottawa, the capital city of Canada, lies in Ontario near the border with Quebec.

III. Canada’s Industries N. Farming and ranching are major economic activities in the Prairie Provinces— Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. O. Canada is one of the world’s biggest producers of wheat. P. British Columbia, with its thick forests, helps make Canada the world’s leading producer of newsprint—the type of paper used for printing newspapers.

III. Canada’s Industries Q. Fishing and tourism are also important economic activities in this province. R. Vancouver is a bustling trade center and the nation’s main Pacific port.

Canada’s Government Canada’s government is similar to the United States’. British Parliament – Dominion of Canada 1867 Their Prime Minister is like USA’s President

Canada’s Government Their House of Commons is like our House of Representatives - they are elected by the citizens of Canada Their Senate is unlike our Senate because their Prime Minister appoints the people to these positions The 10 Provinces are led by their premier.

Canada REGIONALISM – pride in one’s region Nationalism – pride in one’s country Canada has experienced URBANIZATION like the USA