CANADA’S PHYSICAL REGIONS

Western Cordillera (Mountains)

The Arctic (Far North) Interior Plains

Canadian Shield

St. Lawrence Lowlands Great Lakes Lowlands

Appalachian

Mountains

What is a Physical Region?

A section of Canada’s land with

features that are the same

Elevation, vegetation, industry

There are 6 main physical regions in

Canada:

Western Mountains (Cordillera)

Interior Plains (Prairies)

Canadian Shield

Great Lakes-St.Lawrence Lowlands

Appalachian Mountains

Arctic

The Western Cordillera (Mountains)

Steep peaks

Rocky coasts

Dense coniferous forests

On or near the Pacific

Coast

Interior Plains

Flat or rolling land

Fairly dry

Wheat and ranching are

the dominant industries

Canadian Shield

Rolling hills

Many lakes and

swamps

Forests in the south

Numerous mines

Great Lakes-St.Lawrence Lowlands

Low, rolling hills

Rich farming region

The smallest of the 6

regions

Appalachian Mountains

Rounded hills and mountains

Farming, fishing and forestry

Maritime region of Canada (PEI, Nfld, NS, NB)

On or near the Atlantic Ocean

Arctic

Very cold, very isolated (Very little vegetation)

Temperature rarely gets above 0 degrees

Much oil and natural gas available in the Arctic

Western Cordillera (Mountains)

The Arctic (Far North) Interior Plains

Canadian Shield

St. Lawrence Lowlands Great Lakes Lowlands

Appalachian

Mountains

Quite flat or gently rolling

Most southerly region

Smallest region

Contains the highest point in Canada

Region that is shaped like a “U”

The coldest region in Canada

Very few trees are found in this region

Grassland

Region that touches 2 oceans

The most easterly region

Rounded hills and mountains