2. Canada’s ten provinces and three
territories are divided into 4 distinct
regions based on:
1) physical features
2) culture
3) economy
90% of Canada’s population
lives within 100 miles of the US
Canada’s population is relatively small and the structure of its
government gives a great deal of power to the provinces.
4. Atlantic Provinces
The “Maritimes”
All Atlantic provinces border the Atlantic Ocean
1) Newfoundland and Labrador (St. Johns)
2) Nova Scotia (Halifax)
3) New Brunswick (Fredericton)
4) Prince Edward Island (Charlottetown)
The Atlantic provinces are the smallest of
Canada’s regions including 5% of the country’s land
area and 8% of its population.
The Appalachian Mountains end here.
Thousands of lakes and ponds were left behind
on the rough terrain by retreating glaciers.
Most of the population live along the coast where
there are hundreds of bays and inlets.
Fishing is a MAJOR industry -- the Grand Banks
along the coasts of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland
was one of the richest fisheries in the world until
overfishing depleted fish populations, especially the
Cod as Cod fishing was suspended in 1992.
5. Atlantic Provinces
Farming is an important industry in
the milder climate and longer The “Maritimes”
growing season found on Prince
Edward Island.
Tourism is becoming a major
industry because of scenic
coastlines and quaint fishing villages.
6. Atlantic Provinces
The “Maritimes”
The Bay of Fundy is known for having the highest
tidal ranges in the world, making it a unique site for
producing hydro-power...
7. Great Lakes and
St. Lawrence Provinces
Three distinct landscapes characterize these provinces:
1) Canadian Shield - poor soil, cold climate, rich mineral deposits;
covers most of Quebec and Ontario
2) Hudson Bay Lowlands - flat, swampy region between Canadian
Shield and Hudson Bay; sparsely populated
3) St. Lawrence Lowlands - rich soil, mild climate; 60% of the
Canadian population live around the St. Lawrence River and the
Great Lakes
The provinces of Quebec and Ontario are
considered the heartland of Canada as they
contain most of the country’s population and
economic activity.
Major cities include:
Toronto (Ontario) - Canada’s largest city
Ottawa (Ontario) - Canada’s capital city
Montreal and Quebec City (Quebec) -
Cities with strong French influence
8. Great Lakes and
St. Lawrence Provinces
A series of locks helps ships negotiate
differing water levels between the Great
Lakes themselves, and the Great Lakes
and the St. Lawrence River.
The economy in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence provinces
depends upon trade from the Atlantic Ocean to the middle of
the continent along the St. Lawrence River and the Great Lakes
9. Quebec
Quebec is Canada’s largest province by area,
however 80% of the province is covered by exposed
bedrock of the Canadian Shield and Hudson Bay
lowlands, so majority of the population lives along
the St. Lawrence River Valley.
Farming is prevalent along the St. Lawrence while
mining is serious business in the Canadian Shield.
The city of Quebec was founded by Samuel de
Champlain in 1608 and retains a very strong French
influence.
The province of Quebec has threatened to
secede from the Commonwealth of Canada and
form its own nation because of historical disputes
between the French and the English.
10. Ontario
Rich soil and rich mineral deposits provide farming and
mining opportunities for people in Ontario.
Because of the proximity of the Great Lakes and the
their connection to the St. Lawrence River, farming and
mineral resources can be processed in factories and
shipped to points all over the world.
As a result, large companies are located in Toronto,
which is the largest metropolitan area in Canada.
Toronto is also the banking and financial center for
Canada.
