Unit 2: The United States and Canada

Human Geography of Canada

History and government of Canada

Colonization

• Colonized by France and England during the 16th and 17th centuries.

• France lost its claims after the French and Indian War, however many French settlers remained.

The Road Towards Unity

• Issues between French Catholics and British protestants lead to tension.– Solution: provinces• Dominion of Canada

(united provinces—confederation)

Expansion• Just like the US, Canada

used a transcontinental RR to transport people and goods across the territory

• Gold was discovered – Copper– Zinc– Silver

• Large amounts of immigrants migrated to Canada

Canadian Government• Parliamentary Government– Similar to what other

country?• Legislative and executive

are combined – Parliament

• Central federal government• Smaller provincial

governments • The majority party’s leader

in Parliament: Prime Minister

Economy and Culture

A Diverse Economy

• Primary Industries:– Farming– Logging– Mining– fishing

A Diverse Economy

• Secondary Sector:– Manufacturing• Cars, steel, household appliances, electronics, mining

equipment, etc.

A Diverse Economy

• Tertiary Sector:– Makes up the most GDP– Finance– Utilities– Trade– Transportation– Tourism– Communications– Insurance– Real estate

Language and Religion

• Bilingual• Protestant• Catholic• Muslims, Jews, and

others are growing

Population

• Most people settle in:– Port cities: Montreal,

Toronto, Vancouver– Agricultural areas

• 80% of all citizens live on 10% of country’s land

Life Today

• Sports and Recreation:– Hockey– Skiing/snowboarding– Hunting– Football– Baseball– Basketball

Life Today• The Arts– Literature dating back to the indigenous peoples– Carvings using natural material– Music– Movies– Theater– Paintings, sculptures

Subregions of Canada

Atlantic Provinces

• Prince Edward Island

• New Brunswick• Nova Scotia• Newfoundland

Atlantic Provinces

• 8% of population lives here• Rugged terrain• Severe weather• Major economic activities:– Logging– Manufacturing (fish-processing)– Mining– Hydroelectric power

Core Provinces

• Quebec • Ontario

Core Provinces

• 3/5 of the population live here

• Ontario: English speaking

• Quebec: French speaking

Core Provinces

• Center of politics and economics• 35% of agricultural production• 45% of mineral output• 70% of manufacturing

Prairie Provinces

• Manitoba• Saskatchewan• Alberta

Prairie Provinces

• Part of the Great Plains

• 50% of agricultural production (yield)

• 60% of mineral output• 90% of Canada’s

natural gas

Prairie Provinces

• Population Ethnicities:– Scots-Irish– Germans– Scandinavians– Ukrainians– Poles– Indian– Japanese– Lebanese– Vietnamese

Pacific Province and Territories

• British Columbia• Yukon territory• Northwest Territories• Nunavut

Pacific Province and Territories

• British Columbia:– Lies in the Rockies– Over half of land is

densely forested– 1/3 is tundra– Glaciers– Logging, mining,

hydroelectric power

Pacific Province and Territories• Territories– 41% of

country’s landmass

– Small populations in each area

– Inuit live mostly in Nunavut