Learning by Looking at Hamilton

“Situation” is a geography word.

In our lives, we find ourselves in “situations”.

Who or what we are surrounded by can affect our success.

For example …

Situation: You are in the library with three other

students researching a topic for geography.

You will be successful in this situation if all of these “factors” are in place: The internet is working

•The proper books are available

•Your pen is working

•You remembered to bring assignment instructions

•The other three people are cooperative

•If other students are quiet so you can concentrate

•If the temperature is just right so you are comfortable

and you can concentrate

We could divide these factors in two categories.

Library Factors and Student Factors

Library Factors: • the internet is working

•The proper books are available

•If the temperature is just right so you are comfortable and you can concentrate

Student Factors:• You remembered to bring assignment instructions

•The other three people are cooperative

•If other students are quiet so you can concentrate

Just like us, cities can find themselves in “situations”.

The “factors” that surround them will affect their success as a city.

There are two types situation factors:

Physical Situation Factors

Human Situation Factors

We are going to learn about Physical and Human Situation Factors by visiting Hamilton.

Tuinman photo

Physical Situation Factors:

landformsclimate

waterwaysnatural resources

Begin your notetaking.

LandformsHamilton is located on a sheltered bay. This makes it a

great location for a harbour so large ships can travel to the city.

http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Hamilton,+Ontario&sll=49.891235,-97.15369&sspn=39.794637,113.994141&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Hamilton,+Hamilton+Division,+Ontario&ll=43.277924,-79.89584&spn=0.043679,0.111322&t=h&z=14

Click on the link to the right to see a Google Satellite map of the bay. Note how shallow the water appears to the left of the Chedoke Expressway.

Landforms

The rocky cliffs in the background (covered with trees) is part of the Niagara Escarpment that runs through Hamilton. Part of the city is quite elevated.

Landforms

This is Webster Falls in Hamilton. There are other waterfalls also as a result of the Niagara Escarpment.

ClimateHamilton is located in the southern part of Ontario which has a more mild climate than the rest of Canada.

Hamilton's Climate

Hamilton's climate is humid continental and relatively mild in comparison with the rest of Canada. The January's average temperature is -3.6C (26.5F) although most days rise just above 0C making for slushly conditions on the roads. The average July temperature is 22.5C (72.5F) and humidity is usually high during the peak of summer. Temperatures exceeding 34C (93F) occur but not with regularity.

Canada’s Climate

Average temp in Jan - 12 C

Average temp in July 22 C

Waterways

Hamilton is located on west end of Lake Ontario

Waterways

This is useful for transporting raw materials, goods and people by ship. Ships can travel along the St. Lawrence through all of the Great Lakes.

Waterways

This is a big advantage for Hamilton companies like Stelco. They import raw materials and export steel products.

Natural Resources

The green areas on this map all represent marshes or forests.

Natural Resources

Hamilton has access to electrical power generated by Niagara Falls.

Niagara Falls Power Generating Plant Towers that carry electricity to Hamilton

Tuinman photo

Human Situation Factors:

populationlabour force

transportationmarket

Use the legend to see what the population of Hamilton is.

Population, Market and Labour Force

Population, Market and Labour ForceThis is a map of the “Golden Horseshoe” which is a nickname given to the area surrounding the west end of Lake Ontario. This area has a very high population density. That means that there is a high number of people living in each square kilometre of land.

High population means that there are lots of people available to buy goods. They are the market. It also means that there are a lot of people available to work to make the good. They are the labour force.

Transportation

Hamilton is close to two major highways:

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Transportation

Hamilton is close to highways leading to Toronto: 427 and 401

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Transportation

http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=Ajax&1s=ON&1a=21+Coughlen+Street&1z=L1T&1y=CA&1l=43.871931&1g=-79.043323&1v=ADDRESS&2qn=hamilton+spectator

Click on the link below to see a trip planner map from our school to a Hamilton newspaper office called the Hamilton Spectator.

Use the map to locate the highways.

Transportation

Connected to rail systems leading in three different directions

Find the three railways on the map.

Hamiltonians have great bus access with several routes to choose from. They can also access Go Bus, Go Train, and Via Rail Service.

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A further look at Hamilton from my weekend visit …

Tuinman photos