1. Canada

2. Lesson 1 Physical Geography of Canada Landforms
Canada’s mountainous eastern and western edges create a central region of fertile plains.
Collisions of tectonic plates thrust up a series of sharp-peaked mountains, like the Pacific Ranges and Rockies.
A wide range of climates, from frozen tundra to humid continental, support a variety of wildlife.
Abundant water and energy resources make up Canada’s great natural resource wealth.

3. Physical Geography of Canada
Water Systems
Canada’s plentiful freshwater lakes and rivers support the needs of people and industries in both cities and rural areas.
The St. Lawrence River is one of Canada's most important rivers and forms part of the border between the United States and Canada.
The Niagara Falls, also on the border, is a key source of hydroelectric power.

4. Physical Geography of Canada
Climate, Biomes, and Resources
Ocean currents, like the Gulf Stream and Labrador Current, play a key role in Canada’s large variation in climates.
Canada has a variety of biomes that support abundant forms of plant and animal life.
Fisheries as well as timber, energy, and minerals are important to Canada's economy.
The Athabasca Tar Sands make Canada a leading petroleum-producing country.

5. Lesson 2 Human Geography of Canada History and Government
Indigenous groups, like the Inuit and First Nations peoples, along with the French and British colonists, became the foundation for Canadian cultures.
Originally a British colony, Canada became a dominion and ultimately gained independence in 1931.
Today Canada is a constitutional monarchy with power divided into three branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial.

8. Colonial Rivalries
French and English colonists competed over the fur trade and rival land claims. The British and French fought four wars in North America. British troops defeated the French in the Battle of Quebec in 1759, and France surrendered its Canadian territory in 1763.

9. Human Geography of Canada
Population Patterns
Ethnicity of Canadians varies from province to province, with 25 percent of the population identifying themselves as from mixed origins.
About 90 percent of the population lives within 100 miles of the U.S. border, where there is a more temperate climate and easy access to commerce.
Approximately 81 percent of Canada’s 34 million people live in urban areas such as in Montreal and Vancouver, or in the capital, Toronto.

10. Human Geography of Canada
Society and Culture
Immigration has helped to create a multicultural society in Canada.
English and French are Canada’s two official languages.
Today’s average family has decreased to three members as more women enter the workforce.
The arts, especially theater and music, are highly regarded in Canada, with Toronto ranking as the third-largest production center in the English-speaking world.

11. Conflict Between 2 Cultures
The Canadian territory that France lost to Britain was home to many French colonists. In 1774, the British government passed laws to ensure French Canadians could maintain their language, laws, and culture.

12. Results from the Conflict
Many Quebecois feel discriminated against by the English-speaking majority, and many are in favor of separatism. After French was made the official language of Quebec in 1974, many English-speaking residents and businesses left Quebec. In 1995, a referendum on whether Quebec should secede, or withdraw, from Canada was narrowly defeated. In 1998, the highest court declared that Quebec could not secede even if a referendum was passed.

13. Welcoming Diversity
Although most Canadians are of British or French descent, many other groups are represented. Many Inuit and Native Americans live in Canada, mostly on reserves. Immigrants from across the world have been welcomed in Canada.

14. Human Geography of Canada
Economic Activities
Natural resources are essential to the Canadian economy, accounting for more than 58 percent of its exports.
The advancement of technology and reliable transportation systems has helped spur economic growth across the country.
Canada is faring better than the United States since the 2008 recession due to more conservative lending in the real estate market. Canada has greater stability in housing prices and lower unemployment rates than the United States or Europe.

15. Lesson 3 People and Their Environment: Canada Managing Resources
Canada’s many natural resources have suffered due to the activities of fishing, logging, and mineral and oil and gas extraction.
Calls for federal protection and greater conservation efforts have increased to protect existing resources and to develop renewable ones.
Without conservation, rare ecosystems such as the boreal forest could be destroyed.

16. People and Their Environment: Canada
Human Impact
Acid rain contaminates lakes, streams, and rivers.
Pollution in the United States can also negatively affect the environment in Canada.
Industrial pollution in waterways can harm water supplies and all who depend on them.
The Canadian and United States governments continue to work together to improve water quality and to encourage the resurgence of some fish populations.

17. People and Their Environment: Canada
Addressing the Issues
The provinces individually take action to address climate change through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Ontario’s Green Energy and Green Economy Act promotes green energy through conservation and financial incentives.
The Canadian government is exploring alternative energy sources such as wind and solar power.
Initial reports are positive, but time is needed to see which methods of alternative energy will be successful.