Physical Features and Environmental

Problems of Canada

The Rocky Mountains The Rocky Mountains

are the largest mountain system in North America.

Extends 3,000 miles along the western part of Canada

The Canadian ShieldHorseshoe shaped area surrounding the Hudson Bay

Made up of:Rocky HillsLakesEvergreen Forests

Poor Soil and Cold Climate

It contains many mineral depositsIron OreCopperNickel

Canadian Shield

Canadian Lowlands Canada’s smallest land region.

This region is Canada’s manufacturing center.

Region produces 1/3rd of the country’s crops. FERTILE SOIL!!!!

Home to more than half of Canada’s population.

WHY???

Major Bodies of Water Bodies of water can be

used for : Transportation Recreation Industry

This means that they are……

NAVIGABLE

Many cities developed near these bodies of water. Toronto Ottawa Vancouver Quebec City Montreal Edmonton

The Great Lakes The world’s largest group of freshwater

lakes.

Share a border with Canada & the United States

An easy way to remember them…

HOMES

Huron

Ontario

Michigan

Erie

Superior

The Great Lakes

The Mighty Rivers

Canada has two major rivers: The Mackenzie River

The country’s longest river forms in the Rockies and flows north into the Arctic Ocean.

Called the “Mother of Canada”

The St. Lawrence River Connects the Great Lakes

to the Atlantic Ocean. One of North America’s

most important transportation routes.

The St. Lawrence Seaway

Completed in 1959

It’s a system of locks, canals, and dams to allow ships to move from one water level to another.

The seaway makes trade between Canada and USA easier.

Partners and Friends:The USA and Canada Today

What environmental concerns do Canada and the USA share today?

What economic ties do the USA and Canada have to each other?

Environmental Issues

The USA and Canada share: The coasts of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The Great Lakes The Rocky Mountains

What environmental problems do you think could happen in these areas?

Water Problems

Solutions: Reduce the # of pesticides Reduce the amount of human waste dumped into

the lakes

People in Canada & the U.S. depend on the water from the Great Lakes Use the water to drink Use it in their factories Use it for transportation

In the 1970’s water pollution became a serious problem. Factories were using the lakes as a dumping ground for waste

Improving Air Quality

Acid Rain: when pollutants are put into the air, they mix with the water molecules and turn the water acidic

Causes: factories, cars, coal burning power plants

Acid Rain causes many problems:Kills plantsDamages or kills treesPollutes lakes and riversKills fish

Solutions Build factories that do not pollute

the air

Cars have to make less pollution

Encourage walking, riding bikes, taking the bus or carpooling

Create agreements with the U.S. Most of the acid rain comes

from the U.S. due to wind patterns

The Timber Industry Forests cover almost half of

the land in Canada

Clear-cutting: cutting down all the trees in a given area, leaving gaps in the forest

Issue with this practice include: Reduced water quality Erosion Loss of wildlife habitat

The government & logging industry spend money to protect the forests