Canada’s Physical, Government, and Economy

Chapter 9

Physical Features

Canada is world’s 2nd largest landmass

1. Great Lakes – St. Lawrence River2. Hudson Bay Lowlands3. Canadian Shield4. Rocky Mountains5. Pacific Ocean6. Atlantic Ocean

1. Great Lakes with St. Lawrence River

• Created by glacial movement• Great Lakes & St. Lawrence River form one of

world’s most important shipping routes• HOMES – (Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, & Superior)

• St. Lawrence- connects Great Lakes with Atlantic Ocean

2. Hudson Bay Lowlands

• 3rd largest wetland in world

• Flat, low area covered by swampy forests

• Difficult for agriculture because it’s frozen most of year

Hudson Bay Lowlands

3. Canadian Shield• Foundation of Canada’s landmass

• The Shield is an extremely old region, formed during the Precambrian era

• Region of mostly thin soil lying on top of bedrock– many bare rocks & thousands of lakes

• Natural Resources – timber, minerals, & water

• Sparsely populated

4. Rocky Mountains

• Located in Western Canada & US

• Stretch a distance of 2,000 miles

• Mining is #1 industry, followed by logging• Minerals: iron ore, copper, coal,

gold

• Sparsely populated with few cities

5 & 6: Pacific & Atlantic Ocean • Important links to other countries

for trade & travel

• Provides fishing opportunities

Canada’s Government

Recognize British monarchy

Federal government -3 branches of govt.

Canada’s Government continued 1. Governor General

– Crown’s representative in Canada– Ceremonial office

2. Parliament – Legislative Branch

• House of Commons (elected)• Senate (appointed)

– Makes laws– Bills must pass BOTH houses

3. Prime Minister– chosen from House of Commons majority

party– Head of Executive Branch– Highest office in Canada

Economics – Market Economy

• Focus mainly on manufacturing & service industries

• After looking at image to the left, what country is Canada’s most important trading partner?

• The United States – Both have

• Good transportation• Similar business practices

Canada’s Regions- #1- Atlantic Provinces

• Although fishing used to be a major industry, overfishing has weakened the job market

• Today many people have jobs in manufacturing, mining, & tourism

• Although fishing used to be a major industry, overfishing has weakened the job market

• Today many people have jobs in manufacturing, mining, & tourism

Canada Region #2-Central & Eastern

• Ontario (Central):– Largest population– Greatest wealth in Canada– Center for business – manufacturing – Canada’s heartland

• Quebec (Eastern):– Paper Industry– Montreal – industrial & financial center– Hydroelectric power– Many French-speaking people in Quebec want to secede from Canada &

become their own country

Canada Region #3-The West

• Farming & ranching- produces large amounts of wheat• Contains some of world’s largest reserves of oil & natural gas• British Columbia province has deep, rich forests• World’s largest producer of newsprint ( type of paper)

Canada Region #4-The North

• Canada’s north covers about 1/3 of the country • Area includes Yukon Territory, Northwest Territory, & Nunavut• Many people who live here are indigenous• The main resources are minerals like gold & diamonds• World’s largest exporter of minerals!