GEOGRAPHY OF CANADA

SS6G5 The student will locate selected features of Canada. SS6G6 The student will explain the impact of location, climate, distribution of natural resources, and population distribution on Canada. SS6G7 The student will discuss environmental issues in Canada

ELEMENTS

Locate on a world and regional political-physical map: the St. Lawrence River, Hudson Bay, Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, the Great Lakes, Canadian Shield, and Rocky Mountains 

Describe how Canada’s location, climate, and natural resources have affected where people live

Describe how Canada’s location, climate, and natural resources impact trade

Explain the major environmental concerns of Canada regarding acid rain and pollution of the Great Lakes, the extraction and use of natural resources on the Canadian Shield, and timber resources

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

How do people contribute to Canada’s pollution problems?

How are acid rain, pollution of the Great Lakes, the extraction and use of natural resources on the Canadian Shield, and timber resources Canada’s major environmental concerns?

What are the major physical features of Canada, and where are they located on a map?

How do the factors of location, climate, access to water, and natural resources affect where Canadians choose to live and work?

How do the factors of location, climate, access to water, and natural resources affect trade?

THE PHYSICAL FEATURES OF CANADA Canada is a country located north of the United

States and is the second largest country in the world Canada’s physical features include:

Rivers▪ St. Lawrence River

Mountains▪ Rocky Mountains

Bodies of water▪ Pacific Ocean▪ Atlantic Ocean▪ Hudson Bay▪ Great Lakes

Landforms▪ Canadian Shield

KEY PROVINCES OF CANADA Canada does not have states, but rather its

regions are called provinces The major provinces of Canada are:

Ontario Alberta Quebec Manitoba British Columbia Newfoundland Nunavut

Canada’s capital city is Ottawa, located in Ontario

MAP OF CANADA

THE CLIMATE, LOCATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES OF CANADA Climate

Much of Canada is cold The mountain region of Canada is snow and ice, while

the plains region has warm and temperate climate The Great Lakes area has temperate climate as well

Location Most Canadians live in the cities and towns in the

southern part of Canada Eskimos live in the northern part near the Arctic Circle

Natural Resources Canada’s natural resources include fishing, lumber,

wheat, nickel, copper, zinc, silver, gold, uranium, oil, natural gas

TRADE IN CANADA

Canada’s main trade partners are the U.S. and Mexico

Canada’s main exports are minerals and fishing

POLLUTION IN THE GREAT LAKES

Acid Rain is a major issue in Canada Caused by vehicle emissions and

coal plants Found mainly in Ontario and

Quebec Waste, fertilizers, oil, grease,

sewage, salt and runoff pollute the Great Lakes Both the U.S. and Canada are

changing regulations to help clean the area

THE EXTRACTION OF NATURAL RESOURCES

MINERALS

Minerals are being extracted, or taken out, from the Canadian Shield

The mining of minerals causes toxic waste to get into the ground and habitat loss

The Inuit people who live there are also losing land due to mining

RIVERS AND TREES

Rivers in the Canadian Shield produce hydroelectricity Energy generated by

falling water Hydroelectricity causes

erosion, flooding and habitat loss

The cutting of trees in the Canadian Shield leads to flooding of the region