The Canadian Shield

Covers almost half of Canada, about 4,800,000 km2. Was in place before the Cambrian period, so over 600 million years old. Contains Canada’s oldest rocks, and the greatest number of cycles of mountain- building and erosion. Most of the shield contains rounded hills of rock, but were actually ancient mountains. Region has undergone repeated faulting, folding and volcanism.

Erosion has reduced the region to almost a peneplain (almost a plain) Because of its rugged landscape it is the lowest population of all four major regions, despite having vast resources. The Shield’s plentiful lakes and rivers have made it an excellent source of water- generated energy.

Because of it saucer shaped appearance, most rivers in the shield flow into the Hudson Bay; therefore, hydroelectric generating stations have been built where the rivers tumble from the shield into the Hudson Bay lowlands.