The Prairie Plains

By Nadav Koller and Yoni Nesher

MAP OF THE PRAIRIE PLAINS

Physical Features

• Lots of gas and oil• Rolling plains

• Continental Climate• Winter temperature average -15° C• Summer temperature average 18° C• Precipitation is 250 to 700 mm• Growing season is 170 to 190 days

HUMAN FEATURES• Population: 4,222,569 • Lots of Gas and Oil being developed (oil sands = major factor)• Wheat growing and other farms (good soil + climate)• Urbanization - Process of changing from rural to urban– Major cities include:

Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Regina, Saskatoon

Vegetation

• Trees and shrubs

• Short-grass in drier areas, long-grass in wetter areas

• Rich grassland soils

FACTS• Positive: Breadbasket of Canada, provides lots of food and exports to the rest of Canada and the world• Negative: Many threatened and endangered species because of the many farms

• Interesting: 95% of land in the region is farmland

Geographic Issue

• The Tallgrass Prairie once covered 6,000 km² in Manitoba, and is now only located in several small reserves. (less than 1% of former size)

• Agriculture, urbanization, and industrialization have made it one of the most endangered ecosystems on earth

• The remnants of the region are important for migrating animals and pollinators, so it is important that no more harm is done

MAP OF THE PRAIRIE PLAINS

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