Canada

Location, climate, & resources

GPS & E.Q.

• GPS: SS6G6a. Explain how Canada’s location, climate, and natural resources have affected where people live.

• GPS: SS6G6b. Describe how Canada’s location, climate, and resources impact trade.

• E.Q. How have location, climate, and natural resources impacted population distribution in Canada?

Canada: Location

Canada’s Climate Zones

                                                                                                                          

                      

Stays below 0 degrees year round

                        

Stays below 10 degrees year round No true summer [over 10]

Too dry and cold for tree growth

                            

3 months of summer Coniferous forest - no grain crops

                                         

4 months of summer at least

Grain crops and forests possible

                                         

No true winter [above -3 degrees year round [3 summer months]

Plenty of rain - tall forests

                                         

West coast climate with lots of

rain and tall forests More than 4 summer months

                                         

Hot summer [above 22 degrees]

Mixed agriculture

                                                                                                                          

                      

Stays below 0 degrees year round

                        

Stays below 10 degrees year round No true summer [over 10]

Too dry and cold for tree growth

                            

3 months of summer Coniferous forest - no grain crops

                                         

4 months of summer at least

Grain crops and forests possible

                                         

No true winter [above -3 degrees year round [3 summer months]

Plenty of rain - tall forests

                                         

West coast climate with lots of

rain and tall forests More than 4 summer months

                                         

Hot summer [above 22 degrees]

Mixed agriculture

                                         

West coast climate with lots of rain and tall forests More than 4 summer months

                                           

Cool grassland - average summer months under 18 degrees Not enough rainfall to sustain forests

                      

Stays below 0 degrees year round

              Stays below 10 degrees year round No true summer [over 10] Too dry and cold for tree growth

                3 months of summer Coniferous forest - no grain crops

                       4 months of summer at least Grain crops and forests possible

                       No true winter [above -3 degrees year round [3 summer months] Plenty of rain - tall forests

                                         

Hot summer [above 22 degrees] Mixed agriculture

Natural Resources of Canada:• iron ore, nickel,

zinc, copper, gold, lead, rare earth elements, molybdenum, potash, diamonds, silver, fish, timber, wildlife, coal, petroleum, natural gas, hydropower

Population Density of Canada per square mile

• Yellow=less than 1 • Green=1-4.9• Gold=5-19.9• Orange=20-49.9• purple=50-150• Pink=greater than

150

Canada

• Largest country in western hemisphere

• Population is small compared to size – most live in southeast and south-central

• Most (80%) live in towns/cities (urban)

Golden Horseshoe

• zone around southern end of Lake Ontario – includes Toronto: ¼ of all Canadians live here

• another ¼ live in areas of Montreal, Victoria/Vancouver Island, & Calgary-Edmonton

• Great Lakes & St. Lawrence River: important trade routes from Atlantic Ocean into central Canada

• Railroads and highways carry goods inland from both coasts

• 9 major seaports that help Canada trade with the world

Canada’s Climate

• Keeps people living in just a few areas

SE Canada

• humid continental climate – warm to hot summers & cold winters

• 60+ inches precipitation/year – snow can exceed 100 inches/year

• Long growing season central plains are good source of canola, wheat, & other grains

Pacific Coast

• Temperate climate – cool summers, warm winters

• 100+ inches of rain/year – most in winter

Northern Canada

• Subarctic climate – long, cold winters & short, cool summers – can freeze even in summer!

Canada’s Natural Resources

• Iron ore, nickel, copper, zinc, gold, lead, molybdenum, potash, diamonds, silver

• Fish, fresh water, hydroelectric power

• Good soil

• Timber, wildlife

• Coal, oil, natural gas – enough to supply Canada & to sell

• Resources are in remote areas, so people are spread across Canada in small communities where mining, farming, & fishing are important.

• Resources are shipped by rail or highway to cities

How location, climate, and resources impact trade

• Located on 3 oceans (Atlantic, Arctic, Pacific) – good for trade with Europe & Asia

• 9 seaports

• Russia is nearby – can travel across Arctic when not frozen

• Goods can be shipped without passing through other countries

• St Lawrence Seaway & Great Lakes allow transported goods from Atlantic into central Canada

• Next to U.S. – easy to trade – 80% of Canada’s exports are to the U.S.

• Southern Canada’s climate is good for farming; only 5% of country has rich soil (but large amount) – produces grains for export

• Exports oil, natural gas, fish, & timber

• Exports extra hydroelectric energy to U.S.