1. Human Geography of Canada
Chapter 7
Developing a Vast Wilderness

2. Early Peoples Vast size & cold climate affected development
1st settlers came from Asia across the land bridge
Ancestors of the Inuit & Native American Indians

3. Early Peoples
About A.D. 1000, Leif Erikson landed in what is now Newfoundland
Called it Vinland, after the wild grapes there
Vikings built a settlement & later abandoned it

4. Early Peoples
In 1497, Giovanni Caboto (John Cabot in English) an Italian navigator, landed in Newfoundland & claimed the region for England
European exploration & colonization followed

5. France & Britain
In the 16th & 17th century, French explorers claimed much of Canada
Settlements were called New France
British colonized the Atlantic coast
Fisheries & inland fur trade were important to both

6. French & British Challenged Claims
British defeated the French in the French & Indian War ( )
Forced France to surrender its territory, but French settlers remained

7. Steps Toward Unity In the 18th century, there were 2 distinct cultures
Roman Catholic French & Protestant English
Conflict erupted
In 1791, the British government split Canada into 2 provinces
Upper Canada (Ontario) – English speaking majority
Lower Canada (Quebec) – French speaking majority

8. Dominion of Canada In 1867, created the Dominion of Canada
Loose confederation of Ontario, Quebec, 2 British colonies (Nova Scotia & New Brunswick)
Remained part of the British Empire, but had self-government
Ottawa, Ontario became the capital

9. Canada’s Government Today
Recognized by the British as an independent nation in 1931
Parliamentary government, system in which legislative & executive functions are combined in the legislature called a parliament
Parliament consists of an appointed Senate & an elected House of Commons
The majority party’s leader in Parliament becomes Prime Minister

10. Parliament

11. Economy Industries: Farming Logging Mining Fishing Automobiles Steel
Household appliances
Electronics
High-tech and mining equipment

12. Economy 60% of the GDP comes from service industries
Tourism, communications, finance, utilities, etc.
NAFTA – North American Free Trade Agreement
Made trade between Mexico, U.S., & Canada easier

13. Language Officially a bilingual country English-speaking majority
French-speaking minority
Native languages

14. Religion
Protestant (English)
Roman Catholic (French)
Muslims
Jews

15. Population 33 million 80% of Canadians live on 10% of the land
Most live along a 100 mile strip of land just north of the U.S. border

16. Life in Canada Today Leisure time
Skating, ice hockey, fishing, skiing, golf, & hunting
Professional sports teams (own football league and ice hockey, baseball, basketball teams compete in U.S. leagues)

17. Subregions of Canada Atlantic Provinces
Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, & Newfoundland
8% of the population
Most live on coastal cities
Small population due to rugged terrain & severe weather

18. Nova Scotia

19. Subregions of Canada The Core Provinces Quebec & Ontario
Canada’s heartland
3 out of 5 Canadians live there
Settlement along the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway
Political & economic life

20. Ottawa

21. Subregions of Canada The Prairie Provinces
Manitoba, Saskatchewan, & Alberta
Canada’s breadbasket
50% of Canada’s agricultural production

22. Subregions of Canada British Columbia & the Territories
Yukon Territory, Northwest Territories, & Nunavut
Vancouver, BC is Canada’s largest port
Territories make up 41% of the land mass

23. Vancouver