Developing a Diverse and Strong Nation: The Human Geography of Canada

1. Chapter 7 Human Geography of Canada: Developing a Vast Wilderness Three major groups in Canada—the native peoples, the French, and the English—have melded into a diverse and economically strong nation.

2. Section 1: History and Government of Canada • French and British settlement greatly influenced Canada’s political development. • Canada’s size and climate affected economic growth and population distribution.

3. The First Settlers and Colonial Rivalry Early Peoples • After Ice Age, migrants cross Arctic land bridge from Asia • ancestors of Arctic Inuit (Eskimos); North American Indians to south • Vikings found Vinland (Newfoundland) about A.D. 1000; later abandon http://wearecanadians.wordpress.com/2011/03/14/the-inuit-people-of-canada/ http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2010/07/21/viking-discovery-lanse-aux-meadows.html

4. The First Settlers and Colonial Rivalry Colonization by France and Britain • French explorers claim much of Canada in 1500–1600s as “New France” • British settlers colonize the Atlantic Coast • Coastal fisheries and inland fur trade important to both countries • Britain wins French and Indian War (1754–1763); French settlers stay http://www.google.com/imgres?q=new+france+map+1600s&um=1&hl=en&tbm=isch&tbnid=6PTW2i87bQx9GM:&imgrefurl

5. Steps Toward Unity Establishing the Dominion of Canada • In 1791 Britain creates two political units called provinces • Upper Canada (later, Ontario): English-speaking, Protestant • Lower Canada (Quebec): French-speaking, Roman Catholic • Rupert’s Land a northern area owned by fur-trading company • Immigrants arrive, cities develop: Quebec City, Montreal, Toronto • railways, canals are built as explorers seek better fur-trading areas

6. Establishing the Dominion of Canada • Political, ethnic disputes lead to Britain’s 1867 North America Act • creates Dominion of Canadaas a loose confederation(political union) • Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick • self-governed part of British Empire • Expansion includes: • Rupert’s Land, Manitoba, British Columbia, Prince Edward Island • later: Yukon Territory, Alberta, Saskatchewan • Newfoundland in 1949

7. Continental Expansion and Development From the Atlantic to the Pacific • In 1885 a transcontinental railroad goes from Montreal to Vancouver • European immigrants arrive and Yukon gold brings fortune hunters • copper, zinc, silver also found; grow towns, railroads http://trailblazer-guides.com/book/trans-canada-rail-guide

8. Urban and Industrial Growth • Farming gives way to urban industrialization, manufacturing • within 100 miles of U.S. border due to climate, land, transportation • Canada becomes major economic power in 20th century http://www.trailcanada.com/destinations/cities/

9. Governing Canada The Parliamentary System • In 1931 Canada becomes independent, British monarch is symbolic head • Parliamentary government: • parliament—legislature combining legislative and executive functions • consists of an appointed Senate, elected House of Commons • prime minister, head of government, is majority party leader • All ten provinces have own legislature and premier (prime minister) • federal government administers the territories Justin Trudeau is the current Prime Minister of Canada.

10. Section 2: Economy and Culture of Canada • Canada is highly industrialized and urbanized, with one of the world’s most developed economies. • Canadians are a diverse people. Winnipeg http://www.traveltocanadanow.com/winnipeg.htm Toronto Vancouver http://www.wayfaring.info/2008/12/08/vancouver-olympics-games-2010/ http://www.geostoronto.com/about_city

11. An Increasingly Diverse Economy The Early Fur Trade • Beginning in 1500s Native Americans, now known as the First Nations: • begin trade with European fishermen along Atlantic coast • French and English trappers and traders expand westward • Voyageurs—French-Canadian boatmen transport pelts to trading posts http://www.nps.gov/voya/historyculture/the-fur-trade.htm

12. Canada’s Primary Industries • Farming, logging, mining, fishing: 10% of gross domestic product • Canada is the world’s leading exporter of forest products • Mining: uranium, zinc, gold, and silver are exported • Fishing: domestic consumption is low, so most of catch is exported http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/story/2010/05/17/forest-agreement.html http://www.gildedlife.com/2010/08/canadian-gold-maple-leaf-coins/

13. The Manufacturing Sector • 15% of Canadians work in manufacturing, create 1/5 of GDP • make cars, steel, appliances, equipment (high-tech, mining) • centered in heartland, from Quebec City, Quebec, to Windsor, Ontario http://www.canada.com/business/fp/Conference+Board+gloomy+profit+outlook/5261819/story.html

14. Service Industries Drive the Economy • Most Canadians work in service industries, which create 60% of GDP • finance, utilities, trade, transportation, communication, insurance • land’s natural beauty makes tourism the fastest growing service • Heavy trade with U.S.: same language, open border (world’s longest) • 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with U.S., Mexico • 85% of Canadian exports go to U.S. • 75% of Canada’s imports come from U.S. http://www.canadaupdates.com/content/canadian-tourism-commission-gears-attract-tourists http://www.directoryofschools.com/Canadian-Tourism-College/Travel-Agent-Training.htm

15. A Land of Many Cultures Bonjour! Languages and Religions • Mixing of French and native peoples created métisculture • Bilingual: English is most common, except in French-speaking Quebec • English Protestants and French Catholics dominate, but often clash • increasing numbers of Muslims, Jews, other groups Hello!

16. Canada’s Population • Densest in port cities (Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver) and farmlands • Environment keeps 80% of people on 10% of land (near U.S. border) • Urbanization: in 1900 33% of people lived in cities, today it’s 80% • Various ethnic groups cluster in certain areas • 75% of French Canadians live in Quebec • many native peoples live on reserves—public land set aside for them • most Inuits live in the remote Arctic north • many Canadians of Asian ancestry live on West Coast

17. https://travelcanada.wikispaces.com/Population+Map+of+Canada

18. Life in Canada Today Employment and Education • Relatively high standard of living, well-educated population • Labor force is 55% men, 45% women • 75% in service industries, 15% in manufacturing • Oldest university, Laval, established in Quebec by French • English universities founded in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick in 1780s • Today, Canada has a 97% literacy rate http://www.damas.ift.ulaval.ca/~beaumont/aboutLaval.html

19. Sports and Recreation • Popular sports: skating, ice hockey, fishing, skiing, golf, hunting • Canada has own footballleague; other pro teams play in U.S. leagues • native peoples developed lacrosse, European settlers developed hockey • Annual festivals include Quebec Winter Carnival, Calgary Stampede http://www.buckinghampalacenews.com/wp/prince-william-kate-canada-details/474

20. Section 3: Sub regions of Canada • Canada is divided into four sub regions: the Atlantic, Core, Prairie Provinces, and the Pacific Province and then the Territories. • Each sub region possesses unique natural resources, landforms, economic activities, and cultural life.

21. The Atlantic Provinces Harsh Lands and Small Populations • Eastern Canada’s Atlantic Provinces: • Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland • Only 8% of Canada’s population, due to rugged terrain, harsh weather • Most people live in coastal cities such as: • Halifax, Nova Scotia • St. John, New Brunswick • 85% of Nova Scotia is rocky hills, poor soil • 90% of New Brunswick is forested • Newfoundland has severe storms http://golf-for-beginners.blogspot.com/2010/08/golf-in-coastal-provinces-of-atlantic.html

22. The Core Provinces—Quebec and Ontario The Heartland of Canada • Quebec City: French explorer Samuel de Champlain built fort in 1608 • 60% Canada’s population live in Core Provinces Ontarioand Quebec • Ontario has largest population; Quebec has largest land area

23. Canada’s Political and Economic Center • Ottawa, Ontario is the national capital • Quebechas great political importance in French-Canadian life • Core: 35% of Canada’s crops, 45% of minerals, 70% of manufacturing • Torontothe largest city, finance hub; Montreal second largest city The Rideau Canal in Ottawa freezes during the winter, and is used for ice skating! http://www.planetware.com/picture/ottawa-rideau-canal-cdn-cdn1048.htm

24. The Prairie Provinces Canada’s Breadbasket • Great Plains Prairie Provinces: Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta • 50% of Canada’s agricultural production, 60% of mineral output • Alberta has coal, oil deposits; produces 90% of Canada’s natural gas

25. The Pacific Province and the Territories British Columbia • British Columbia—westernmost province, mostly in Rocky Mountains • 1/2 is forests; 1/3 is frozen tundra, snowfields, glaciers • Most people live in southwest; major cities are Victoria, Vancouver • Economy built on logging, mining, hydroelectric power • Vancouver is Canada’s largest port, has prosperous shipping trade

26. The Territories • The three northern territories account for 41% of Canada’s land • Sparsely populated due to rugged land and severe climate • Yukonhas population of 30,000; mostly wilderness • Northwest Territories has population of 41,000; extends into Arctic • Nunavut was created from Northwest Territories in 1999; home to Inuit • Territories’ economies include mining, fishing, some logging

27. Bibliography • McdougalLittell, World Geography. Houghton Mifflin Company. 2012