The Lowlands Interior Plains

Formed after the shield of metres of sedimentary rock which were on or remain on the plains came from the shield. Seas invaded North America in the early eras. They were full of hard shelled sea life. These shells formed part of thick strata of limestone and chalk.

The great plains are not completely flat. They have three different sections. The Manitoba Escarpment which averages about 300 m in height. The first and second prairie levels The third prairie level

The great plains grow higher as they reach the cordillera. The great plains are not a source of metallic minerals but are rich in oil and gas. The greatest physical resource of the great plains is it’s rich soil.

The Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Lowlands

This is the smallest of four southern landform regions. It has the largest population of all landform regions. It is sometimes referred to as the nation’s heartland. The lowlands are more heavily populated then the rest of Canada because it is the most favored landform region. It has gently rolling hills, and flat plains. It is excellent for agriculture and settlement.

Because it’s southern, it also has a much more present climate then the rest of Canada. This region was once under inland sea. Sediments from the Appalachians and the shield were deposited in this area.

Hudson Bay – Arctic Lowlands

The bay area of this region is very low and covered by a swampy forest. This region has layers of sedimentary rock. The Arctic Lowlands is made up of a series of islands located in Canada’s far north. This harsh climate has soil which is frozen most of the year, so farming does not exist. However the soil does contain Lignite (a poor type of coal), oil, and natural gas deposits.