Our Country’s Neighbor

 Continent stretches from Canada to Panama  3 rd largest continent in area  4 th largest continent in population

 2 nd largest country (area) in the world  Population – about 34 million (37 th in world)  Split up into 10 provinces and 3 territories  Province – political division of land (like a U.S. state)

 Alberta, British Columbia (B.C), Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan

Northwest Territories, Yukon Territory, Nunavut (1999 from NWT) Inuit- “Our Land” Gov’t has a little more control over terr

 1/3 of land is barren, Arctic land  Canadian Shield  World’s longest coastline  More lakes than any other country  Great Lakes – freshwater lakes on the Canada, U.S. border

 Consist of Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia & New Brunswick  Location makes this region ideal for maritime industry – activity or industry related to the sea

 Economy - way in which people produce, sell, and buy goods and services  Dependent on fishing  Region is home to 75% of nation’s fishing

 Two largest provinces  With 2 largest cities: Toronto and Montreal  Represent the blending of English and French culture  Canada is a bilingual nation – two official languages (English and French)

English 59% French 23% English and French are the Official Language Anglophone – English speaking Francophone – French Speaking 99% of the population is literate (people 15 and older can read and write) What does literacy tell us?

 Home to about 1/3 of Canada’s population (southern part of province)  Canada’s largest city, Toronto, is located here

 Ottawa, Ontario is Canada’s national capital  Canada’s head of government is the Prime Minister  Stephen Harper (currently)  Government is a mix of U.S. and British models

 Province is the center of French- Canadian culture  Quebec has held elections to vote for Quebec’s independence, but they still remain part of Canada

 Started in the 1960’s  Similar to civil rights in U.S.  Better jobs, equality  Peaceful, sort of…  Centered in Quebec  Initiated by Francophone citizens

One of N. America’s most important transportation routes. Total drop of 250 ft from Lake superior to St. Lawrence river 16 LocksLocks

 Include Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta  ¾ of Canada’s farmland is located in this region  Interior Plains Region

 Wheat is the major crop of this region  Saskatchewan and Manitoba both border our state  Similar to N.D., this land lies on the largest prairie in the world

 Often referred to as the “Gateway to the Pacific” because of its location and ties to Asian nations  More than half of the province is covered by forests  Rocky Mt. Region

 Include Yukon Territory, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut  Most of the land is tundra – region where temperatures are always cold and only certain plants can grow

 Home to less than 1% of Canada’s total population  Region is home to a large number of indigenous people – people who are descendants of those who first lived in a region

Market-oriented / Capitalism Much like US Interdependent with US relies on others to function In 1994 Canada, US, and Mexico created NAFTA North American Free Trade Agreement. Encourages trade in all 3 countries Eliminates Taxes on Import/export

Exports account for roughly a third of GDP GDP- Gross Domestic Product - total value of goods and services made within the country Gross (Total) Domestic (Home) Product (Goods and services) Most Export comes to US more than 85% of Canadian export

 Great Britain and France both fought for control of Canada  Great Britain defeated France in the Seven Years War (French and Indian War)  Treaty of Paris gave land to Britain  1867 – Canada gained its independence from the British.  British North American Act  Dominion – Self governing area

In 1982, the British North American Act was replaced by a constitution This gave Canada the right to ratify their constitution without Britain’s help Canada was an independent nation Parliamentary Democracy

 Have struggled to identify themselves  Not American  Can have strong bias against Americans  Joe Canada Joe Canada  b_8&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode =1&safe=active  Hockey  Not a sport….

 Report on Canada Report on Canada