Chapter 4

Anglo America

Topography of the US

Landforms

The North American Landscape

Traveling from the East to West

The Atlantic Coastal Plain is a narrow

lowland extending from the

northeastern United States into

Florida.

The Gulf Coastal Plain stretches along

the Gulf of Mexico from Florida to

Texas.

West of the coastal plains are the

Appalachian Highlands. The

Appalachian Mountains are in this

region. This major chain of mountains

runs some 1,600 miles from

Newfoundland to Alabama.

6

Mountain Ranges

Sierra Nevada, California.

Rocky Mountains: stretch from Canada through the U.S.

Appalachian Mountains: stretch length of U.S., from

Georgia to Maine.

http://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/gallery/landscapes_and_vegetation.htm

http://blueridgemountains.com/blue_ridge_mountains.html

The Great Plains spread out west of the Mississippi

River. It was flattened by an ancient Glacier.

The Canadian Shield (an extension of this interior

plain system) is a rocky, flat region that encircles

Hudson Bay.

West of the plains are the Rocky Mountains. The

Rockies are a young and growing range that

extends 3,000 miles from Alaska to New Mexico.

Between the Rockies and the Pacific

Ocean, a series of ranges run parallel to

the Pacific coastline from California to

Alaska. Major earthquakes occur in the

vicinity of the Pacific ranges.

http://worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/nalnd.htm

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/destinations/Banff_National_Park/

http://www.wandelwebsite.nl/noordamerika/wallowa/fowallowa02.html

http://www.gorzow.mm.pl/~bebelebe/

12

Canadian Shield

Glaciation.

Tundra, subarctic climate.

Stretches over half of Canada.

http://www2.marianopolis.edu/quebechistory/encyclopedia/GeogofCan.htm

http://www2.worldbook.com/features/earth/html/history_precambrian.htmhttp://www.visualsunlimited.com/browse/vu493/vu49306.html

http://www.chrisimages.net/JPG Archive/Science Images/Great Plains/

www.fs.fed.us

http://www.wmscnet.com/3506paneof10.jpg

http://www.nativeecosystems.org/centralplains/

http://www.geo.hunter.cuny.edu/bight/coastal.html

http://www.accountingdirectory.us/12.jpg

http://www.stormtrack.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5933

http://www.gpisd.net/programs.htm

http://tapestry.usgs.gov/features/13coastalplain.html

Water Resources

With access to three oceans and the Gulf of

Mexico, both countries have important shipping

and fishing industries. Inland, large rivers and

lakes serve as sources of transportation,

hydroelectric power, irrigation, fresh water, and

fisheries.

Eight of the world’s 15 largest lakes are found in the United States and

Canada.

The Mississippi River, part of the

continent’s longest and busiest

river system, runs almost the

length of the United States.

Canada’s largest river is the

Mackenzie River, which is part of

a river system that flows across

the Northwest Territories to the

Arctic Ocean.

St. Lawrence Seaway is an

important shipping route that

connects the Great Lakes to the

Atlantic Ocean.

http://www.farewelltospring.com/index.cgi/canada.html

http://www.travelwithachallenge.com/UNESCO-Sites.htm

http://www.saultmed.com/images/great_lakes_big.jpg

http://www.o

http://www.itcwebdesigns.com/Cove_Island_Lighthouse_Lake_Huron.jpg

http://www.marill.com/eddaisy/Recent%20Events/family%20reunion/Picnic-Lake-Ontario-Jack-Da.jpghttp://www.richard-seaman.com/USA/Cities/Chicago/PhotoGalleries/

http://www.paconserve.org/coho/Lake-Erie-shoreine-tiny.jpg

http://www.nsc.org/graphics/basin.gif

http://c3po.barnesos.net/homepage/lpl/seattle/

norman.walsh.name

http://webcookie.net/photo/ www.cruise.com

26

The Gulfs

Gulf of Mexico: South, warm.

Gulf of Alaska: North, cold.

www.tceq.state.tx.us

home.comcast.net

28

Great Salt Lake, Utah

Transparent -- Clear, see to bottom.

Less than 3 feet deep.

22% salt = 6 times more salty than oceans.

Float instead of swim.

www.world-maps.co.uk

http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/classics/charles_francis_hall/

http://www.eman-rese.ca/eman/network/higharc.htm

http://tea.armadaproject.org/rosenberg/5.27.2000.html

http://fatlab.biology.dal.ca/docs/labrador.html

Natural Resources

Both countries have vast forest resources. 1/3 of the United States is covered in forest.

1/2 of Canada is covered in forest.

The United States and Canada are both rich in resources. This has attracted immigrants

and made both countries global economic powers.

Both countries are large (Canada 2nd largest, US 3rd largest) and contain some of the most

fertile soils in the world. Because of this, North America is the world’s leading food

exporter.

Abundant minerals and fossil fuels gave both countries the means to industrialize rapidly.

Both countries have substantial deposits of coal, natural gas, and oil.

Climate and Vegetation

Shared Climates

The Arctic coastlines of Alaska

and Canada have a Tundra

climate and vegetation. Winters

here are long and bitterly cold.

The land is a huge, treeless plain.

Much of the rest of Canada and

Alaska have a Subarctic climate,

with very cold winters and short,

mild summers. Needle-leafed

evergreens cover the region.

The Rocky Mountains and the

Pacific ranges have Highland

climates. Temperature and

vegetation vary with elevation

and latitude.

Shared Climates

Northern portions of the United

States and much of southern

Canada have a Humid

Continental climate. The four

season climate attracts large

populations.

The Pacific coast from northern

California to southern Alaska has

a Marine West Coast Climate.

This climate is affected by Pacific

Ocean currents and the coastal

mountains. Vegetation includes

deciduous trees, needle-leafed

evergreens, and giant California

redwoods.

Warmer American Climates

The southern states have a

Humid Subtropical climate.

Moist air from the Gulf of

Mexico brings rain. The

combination of mild

temperatures and adequate

rainfall provides a long

growing season for a variety of

crops.

The Great Plains have a

Steppe Climate. The weather

is dry, with only about 15

inches of rain annually.

The southwestern states have

a Desert Climate, with less

than ten inches of rain each

year.

The central and southern coasts of

California have a Mediterranean Climate.

The islands of Hawaii have a Tropical Wet

Climate that supports lush rain forests.

Southern Florida has a Tropical Wet and

Dry Climate. It is always warm, but has wet

and dry seasons.

Human Environment Interaction

Crossing the Distances

When Europeans came, they set up

colonies along the Atlantic Coast and then

moved inland. They created overland

trails and used inland waterways. To

connect bodies of water, they built a

network of canals.

North America’s most important

deepwater shipping route—the St.

Lawrence Seaway —connects the Great

Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean using a series

of locks.

Locks are sections of a waterway with

closed gates where water levels are raised

or lowered.

Railroad building began in North America in the early 19th century. The first

transcontinental railroad, crossing the United States, was completed in 1869. A trans-

Canada railroad was completed in 1885.

The development of the automobile in the early 20th century spurred road building.

Today, both the United States and Canada have national highway systems. The

United States has more than 4 million miles of road.

Urban Planning

Most large cities have a moderate climate and located are near water and resources.

Cities with favorable geography must deal with large populations and urban sprawl.

While cities without must adapt to their conditions.

Montreal, Quebec is Canada’s second largest city

and a major port, even though its temperature is

below freezing more than 100 days each year.

Early French explorers liked Montreal’s location—

on a large island where the St. Lawrence and

Ottawa rivers meet.

The French built a permanent settlement there in

1642. The community was founded at the base of

Mount-Royal and grew by spreading around the

mountain. Because of the city’s severe winters,

large areas of Montreal have been developed

underground.

The Hoover Dam is a

Hydroelectric Dam on the

Nevada-Arizona border.

The dam has helped with

irrigation and provided power for

cities like Las Vegas, the fastest

growing city in the United States.

Los Angeles had a mild climate and a desirable location on the Pacific Coast. People

began pouring into this once small Spanish settlement in the 20th century.

By 1990, Los Angeles had the second largest population in the United States. However,

rapid population growth meant air pollution, inadequate water supplies, and

construction on earthquake-threatened land.

Humans have impacted North America through over use. Decades of extensive

farming damaged the Great Plains. This combined with severe drought brought

about the Dust Bowl of the 1930’s.

Geographic

Problems

Seismography Data: 1977-2007

Earthquakes!

Tornadoes Per Year: 1950-2007

Hurricanes

"Hurricane Katrina in 2005 was the largest natural disaster in the history of the United

States. Preliminary damage estimates were well in excess of $100 billion, eclipsing

many times the damage wrought by other hurricanes making landfall in the U.S.

Over 2,000 people lost their lives.

DroughtsMore than 700 reservoirs capture flow in major river basins, bringing water to places

that could not otherwise be populated – such as Las Vegas & San Diego – for

agricultural purposes.

The growing urban populations of California use more than 2,500 millions gallons of

water per day.

This demand coupled with climate change has resulted in one of the worst droughts

since the Dust Bowl.

FloodsFloods occurred due to prolonged periods of precipitation causing waters to rise

and overflow the river’s bank.

Since 1900, floods have taken more than 10,000 lives in the U.S.

In 1993, the Mississippi River and the Missouri River flooded approximately 20

million acres across the U.S. Midwest costing upwards of $30 billion.

Human Geography of Anglo

America

Population Patterns

U.S. Population

313,818,286

♦One birth every 8 seconds.

♦One death every 13 seconds.

♦One international migrant (net) every

22 seconds.

♦Net gain of one person every 10 seconds.

People

– 5% of Earth’ population live in the U.S and Canada

US = 300 millionCanada = 33 million

– All are immigrants

Native Americans thousands of years ago

Waves of Europeans/Asians/Africans in past 400

years

– Sought political/religious freedom

– Improved economic opportunity

– Enslaved Africans

Population Density and Distribution

– US and Canada are vastly different

US = 78 people per sq mi. Canada = 8 per sq. mi.

– Canada

90% live along US border

Rugged terrain and brutal climate make most of Canada inhospitable

to human inhabitation

Population Patterns

Population Density and Distribution

– US and Canada are vastly different

US = 78 people per sq mi. Canada = 8 per sq. mi.

– United States

Population Centers

– Northeast and Great Lakes

– Pacific Coast

– Sunbelt

Sparsely populated areas

– Alaska

– Great Basin and Great Plains

– US and Canada have experienced urbanization

The concentration of population in cities

– Jobs, education, health care and cultural opportunities draw people to

cities

– Metropolitan areas = city with +50,000 people and its outlying

communities called suburbs

80% of the U.S.

Coastal Cities

– People tend to live along the ocean coast

– Megalopolis – “great city”

• Combines Boston-New York-Philadelphia-Baltimore-

Washington DC

• Over 42 million residents

– Other coastal cities include: Miami, New Orleans, Houston, Los

Angeles, Vancouver

• All are major port cities

Inland Cities

– People tend to live along inland lakes and rivers as well

– Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Cities

• Quebec, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Buffalo,

Cleveland, Detroit, Milwaukee, Chicago

– Mississippi River System Cities

• Winnipeg, Minneapolis, St. Louis, Pittsburgh,

Cincinnati, New Orleans, Memphis, Nashville

– Other inland cities grew from being commercial hub

• Kansas City, Dallas, Atlanta, Charlotte, Calgary,

Edmonton, Phoenix, Oklahoma City, Las Vegas

Culture

&

Lifestyles

•Both Canada and the US are multicultural

societies.

•Canadians speak both

French and English.

•Both have religious freedoms

•Both are mobile societies – automobiles.

•High SOL (average income $35,000

a year).

Sports and Recreation

•Football (American and Canadian)•Ice Hockey

•Baseball •Soccer •Basketball

The United States: History

Britain’s 13 American colonies began to resent policies forced on them by a distant

government. Their protests led to the American Revolution (1775–1783) and the

founding of the United States of America.

The U.S. Constitution was adopted in 1787.

The United States: History

69

In 1803, the United States nearly doubled in size

when the government purchased from France the

vast plains region between the Mississippi River

and the Rocky Mountains.

This territory became known as the Louisiana

Purchase.

The United States: History

70

Sectionalism began growing.

People placed loyalty to a region above loyalty

to the nation.

Rising political and economic tensions between

an agricultural South and a more industrialized

North led, to the Civil War (1861-1865).

The United States: History

The second half of the 19th century saw Westward Expansion, pioneers headed west

in covered wagons. To make way for white settlers, the U.S. government removed

Native Americans from the land by treaty or by force.

When the transcontinental railway was completed in 1869, railroads brought people to

the West and western cattle and products to markets in the East.

The United States: History

Urbanization – the movement of

people into cities.

Some of the new immigrants headed out West. Others settled in rapidly growing and

industrializing urban areas. Americans from rural areas also came to cities to work.

The United States was being transformed from a rural, agricultural nation to an

urban, industrialized one.

Industrialization – transition from

an agricultural society to one

based on industry

Industrial

Revolution

(Early 1900s)

Steam Power

Diesel Machinery

Electricity

The United States: History

The United States was seen as an isolationist country (avoid conflict not directly related

to territorial self defense) by many because of its slow entry into the conflict in Europe

during WWI & WWII.

World War I: 1914-1919.

The United States had a healthy economy despite going through the Great Depression

and Dust Bowl during the 1930s.

World War II: 1939-1945.

When World War II ended in 1945, the United States was the only major nation that had

escaped physical damage.

The United States: History

The United States had teamed up with the

Soviet Union to defeat Germany, but when

the war ended distrust between the two allies

led to the cold war.

Cold War - was the period of conflict, tension

and competition between the United States

and the Soviet Union 1940’s until the 1990’s.

There was never a direct military

engagement between the U.S. and the

Soviet Union, but there was half a century of

military buildup, and political battles for

support around the world

The United States: History

75

During the Cold War the United States played an active role in trying to contain the

spread of communism.

A major political topic today is how best to deal with the threat of Terrorism.

The United States: History

During the last half of the 20th century, Americans experienced prosperity.

Many people began migrating from cities to surrounding suburbs.

The civil rights and women’s rights movements worked for equality.

Immigrants from Latin America and Asia arrived looking for political stability and

economic opportunities.

The United States: History

History of Canada

People from Asia crossed a land bridge

into North America thousands of years

ago.

Some remained in what are now the

Canadian Arctic and Alaska.

These people were ancestors of the

Inuit, or Eskimos.

The earliest Canadian literature was the

oral tradition of First Nations peoples.

Early visual art included Inuit carvings and

the totem poles of the First Nations peoples

of the West Coast.

Later, European settlers influenced the

literature and artistic traditions.

History of Canada

In 1497, John Cabot landed in Newfoundland and claimed the region for England.

Then, during the 16th and 17th centuries, French explorers claimed much of North

America for France.

To both countries, the coastal fisheries and the inland fur trade were important.

Soon, the French and British challenged each other’s territorial claims.

Britain defeated France in the French and Indian War, 1754 to 1763, forcing France

to surrender its territory. But French settlers remained.

History of Canada

By the end of the 18th century, Canada had become a land of two distinct

cultures—Roman Catholic French and Protestant English.

In 1791, the British government split Canada into two provinces.

Upper Canada (later, Ontario) had an English-speaking majority, while Lower Canada

(later, Quebec) had a French-speaking population.

History of Canada

In 1872, the government began construction of a

transcontinental railroad.

In 1885, the main railway line, from Montreal to

Vancouver, was completed.

When gold was discovered in the Yukon, fortune

hunters from around the world headed to Canada.

Not long after, copper, zinc, and silver deposits were

found, prompting the building of new railroads and

towns. At the same time, immigrants from other

parts of Europe were coming to Canada.

For much of the time after settlement, Canadians

had lived in rural areas and engaged in farming.

But as population grew and natural resources were

developed, Canada became increasingly urban and

industrial.

History of Canada

Government

One of the strengths of the United States is the political system created by the U.S.

Constitution, adopted in 1787.

The United States is a representative democracy, where the people rule through

elected representatives.

Amendment – in U.S. history, official changes made to the Constitution.

Bill of Rights – the first 10 amendments to the United States Constitution.

U.S. Government

Canada was recognized as an independent nation by Britain in 1931.

However, Canada’s symbolic head of states remains the British monarch.

Canada has a parliamentary government, a system where legislative and executive

functions are combined in a legislature called a parliament.

The majority party’s leader becomes prime minister.

Canada’s Government

Economics

Three factors have contributed to the overall

success of the American economy—an

abundance of natural resources, a skilled labor

force, and a stable political system that has

allowed the economy to develop.

The economy is run largely on free enterprise.

Private individuals own most of the resources,

technology, and businesses and can operate

them with little government control.

The government places some regulations on

companies to protect the Market System such as

law declaring monolopies illegal.

Monopoly – total control of a type of industry by

one person or one company.

The U.S. Economy

The United States not only feeds itself but

also helps to feed the world.

The industrial output of the United States is

larger than that of any other country in the

world.

The American economy today is driven by

service industries. Three out of four

Americans now work in service-related jobs.

This economic phase is called a post-

industrial economy.

The U.S. Economy

The United States is the world’s major trading

nation, leading the world in the value of its

exports and imports.

Many American corporations engage in business

worldwide and are called multinationals.

Still, the U.S. has a trade deficit (spending

more money on imports than earning on exports).

This is due to the high cost of American goods

and the tariffs (taxes) placed upon them.

The U.S. Economy

No other country exports more wood pulp and

paper products than Canada.

Mining is a major industry because of

Canada’s extensive mineral deposits.

Three ocean coastlines provide Canadians

with an abundance of fish, and Canada

exports more fish than any other country.

Like the US, Canada has a modern post-

industrial economy where most of its citizens

make their living in service industries.

Canada’s spectacular natural beauty has

made tourism one of the fastest growing of the

service industries.

Canada’s economy has always relied on trade.

In 1994, Canada and the United States, along

with Mexico, signed the North American Free

Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Canada’s Economy

90

NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) was created to facilitate trade

between Canada, The United States, and Mexico.

Canada is the United States biggest trading partner.

NAFTA

Regions

The region’s coastal and inland waters turned it

into the heart of trade, commerce, and industry

for the nation.

The Northeast is one of the most heavily

industrialized and urbanized areas in the world.

Coal, iron ore, and oil fueled industrialization.

Traditional industries still play a role in the

region’s economy, but most Northeasterners are

now employed in manufacturing and service

industries.

The U.S. Northeast

The U.S. Northeast

I. Geopolitical Locations:

1. New York

2. Boston

3. Philadelphia

*Most densely populated region in US.

II. Climate: Humid Continental

4 distinct seasons

Freezing cold winters

Hot steamy summers

III. Vegetation

Mixed forests, deciduous, coniferous

New York, New York!

• Shaped by immigration, industrialization, and urbanization.

• IMMIGRATION: movement of people.

• INDUSTRIALIZATON: use of machines for manufacturing goods.

• URBANIZATION: growth & concentration of people living in cities.

• One of the first cities of importance in the U.S.

• Melting pot of U.S.

• Economic center of U.S., & the world.

Boston: The Hotbed of Revolution

• Oldest U.S. cities. Puritans founded in 1630.

• Boston Massacre, 1770.

• Boston Tea Party, 1773.

• Battle of Bunker Hill, 1775.

•Industrialization, 1890s.

• Fishing, Maritime activities.

• Urban renewal program, 1957.

• Today, vital economic and medical sectors of U.S.

• Has one of the highest standard of living in U.S.

Philadelphia: The Birth of Liberty

• Founded in 1682.

• Declaration of Independence signed, 1776.

• U.S. Constitution signed, 1787.

•Home of the Liberty Bell.

• Destination for Irish immigrations, 1840s.

• Manufacturing giant in early years of industrialization.

• Production of coal, steel.

• Led to region being known as The Rust Belt.

•Today, shifted to economic and technology.

The South is often referred to as the “sunbelt” because of its climate.

Agriculture was the South’s first economic activity, and cotton, tobacco, fruits, peanuts,

and rice are still grown there. Livestock production is important, too.

The introduction of air conditioning in the 1950s and the region’s vast stores of energy

resources encouraged industrialization.

In recent times, the South has attracted many manufacturing and service industries.

The U.S. South

The U.S. SoutheastI. Geopolitical Locations

1. Jamestown

2. Charleston

3. New Orleans

4. Houston

*Wide coastal plain. No dry season.

II. Climate: Humid Subtropical

Mild winters

Hot summers

Gulf of Mexico.

III. VegetationMixed forests, swamp, everglades.

Charleston, SC: The South’s First Port

Jamestown, VA: The First Settlement

New Orleans, LA: The Big Easy

Bought from Napolean (France) in 1803.

Louisiana Purchase doubled size of U.S.

Major port THEN and NOW for U.S.

Houston, Texas

• Home of the fourth largest city in U.S.

• Pre-Civil War: Agriculture (cotton), slavery.

• Confederate.

• Post-Civil War: Agriculture, fishing.

•Today, oil & gas exploration is BIG business.

The U.S. Midwest

Because of its central location, the Midwest is called the American heartland.

Vast, largely flat plains are a distinctive feature of the region. So are numerous

waterways, including the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River.

The Midwest is the nation’s “breadbasket.” Fertile soil, adequate rainfall, and a

favorable climate enable Midwesterners to produce more food and feed more people

than farmers in any comparable area in the world.

The U.S. Midwest

I. Geopolitical Locations

1. Chicago

2. Kansas-Nebraska

* “Breadbasket of America”

II. Climate: Humid Continental

4 distinct seasons

Freezing cold winters

Hot steamy summers

III. Vegetation

Mixed forests, deciduous, coniferous

Chicago Skyline: The “Second” City

• Established 1833. Population: 200.

• Today, third largest U.S. city.

• Growth result of immigration, Great Lakes, & the Mississippi River.

• Manufacturing, railroad, labor unions.

• Home of Stephen Douglas, Abraham Lincoln, Barack Obama.

The U.S. West

Some areas are sparsely settled, but California

is the nation’s most populous state, because of

excellent farmland, good harbors, and a mild

climate.

The West is the most rapidly growing region in

the United States.

The region’s growth was helped by the

introduction of air conditioning and by

irrigation.

The U.S. WestI. Geopolitical Locations

1. Los Angeles

2. Hollywood

3. Seattle

4. Portland

5. Hoover DamHydroelectric powerplant located on borders ofNevada-Arizona. Supplies irrigation / electricity to western cities such as Las Vegas.

6.NATURAL HAZARDS!

II. Climate: MULTIPLEHighlands: Mountain ranges.

Climate changes with elevation.

Steppe/Desert (Arid/semiarid):Winters pleasant with little rain.

Summers are hot and dry.

Marine West Coast (Pacific):Rainy winters.

Warm, drier summers.

Tropical climates: Hawaii.

III. Vegetation: Varies with Climate

Los Angeles: The City of Angels?

•1847: U.S. territory following U.S. win of Mexican-American war.•Major port and railroad connects West-to-East. •Beginning of film industry.•Today, second largest city in U.S.

Hollywood: City of Lost Dreams

109

Seattle, WA Portland, OR•Oregon trail.•Timber, fishing.•Pacific, west coast marine.•Today, urban center.

•Economies: Range from agriculture (inland) to timber (mountain) to hi-tech industries (cities).

•Gold rush.•Port, shipbuilding, lumber.•Pacific, west coast marine.•Today, urban center.

•Economies: Range from timber (mountain) to hi-tech industries (cities) & development of “green” energy.

Second largest country in the world.

Shares over 5,000 miles of border with the U.S.

90% of Canada’s population lives within 100 miles of the U.S.-Canadian border.

1/3 of Canada’s population lives in Toronto, Montreal, & Vancouver.

Canada’s Facts

Ottawa: Canada’s Capital• 1857: Queen Victoria declares Ottawa to be the capital of Canada.

• Humid Continental climate. 4 distinct seasons!

• Urban center with outlying suburbs. Fourth largest city in Canada.

112

Canada’s Northwest Territories

Directly east of the Pacific Provinces lie the Northwest Territories, which extend into

the Arctic. Nunavut was carved out of the eastern half of the Northwest Territories in

1999.

Canada’s Northern Territories• Yukon, Northwest, Nunavut.

•Major towns: Whitehorse, Yellowknife & Iqaluit.

• MacKenzie River is Canada’s largest river and flows into the Arctic Ocean.

•Sparsely populated. Rural.

•Subarctic & Tundra climates.

•Economy fueled by vast amounts of natural resources:•Minerals: nickel, copper, uranium mining.•Forestry / pulp manufacturing.•Hydroelectric energy.

Eastern Canada is the location of the four

Atlantic Provinces—Prince Edward Island,

New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and

Newfoundland.

The Atlantic Provinces are home to just eight

percent of Canada’s population. The small

population is due largely to the provinces’

rugged terrain and severe weather.

Fishing and logging are important in all four

provinces.

In Nova Scotia, shipbuilding and trade provide

more employment and revenue.

And Newfoundland’s hydroelectric-power

resources supply power to Quebec and parts

of the northeastern United States.

Canada’s Atlantic Provinces

Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, & Prince Edward Island.

St. Lawrence River connects the inner portions of southern Canada to the Atlantic Ocean using LOCKS.

Humid Continental climate.– 4 distinct seasons.

Resources/Economy:– Fishing / fish harvesting.

Vegetation: Mixed forests.– Coniferous and deciduous.

Canada’s Maritime (Atlantic) Provinces

The Prairie Provinces — Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta—are part of the Great

Plains of North America.

They are the center of Canada’s agricultural yield, responsible for 50% of the nation’s

agricultural production.

In addition, about 60 percent of Canada’s mineral output comes from this region.

Alberta itself has the nation’s largest known deposits of coal and oil and produces 90%

of Canada’s natural gas.

Canada’s Prairie Provinces

117

Manitoba, Saskatchewan, & Alberta.

Urban centers: Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg.

Steppe climate. Arid/semi-arid or dry.

Economy: Farming (wheat), petroleum, coal.

Canada’s Prairie Provinces

Canada’s westernmost province is British Columbia.

Nearly all of it lies within the Rocky Mountains range. Over

half of the land is densely forested, and nearly one-third is

frozen tundra, snowfields, and glaciers.

This is the location of British Columbia’s two largest cities,

Victoria and Vancouver.

The economy is built on logging, mining, and hydroelectric-

power production.

The Yukon Territory lies north of British Columbia and is

largely unspoiled wilderness.

Canada’s Pacific Provinces

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Vancouver, British Columbia.

1/2 the Province’s population lives in Vancouver.

Marine West Coast climate.

Economy: Tourism, financial investment, and technology.

Canada’s Western Province

Vancouver

British Columbia