Human Geography of Canada

Canada is one of the 10 wealthiest Canada is one of the 10 wealthiest nations in the worldnations in the world

Economic System – Mixed Economic System – Mixed

Canada is a member of NAFTA – Canada is a member of NAFTA – along with the US & Mexicoalong with the US & Mexico

Economics

Economics - DemographicsEconomics - Demographics

High GDP per capita $43,400

High Life Expectancy 81.57

Low Population Growth 0.77%

Low Infant Mortality 4.78 deaths/1,000 live births

Canada is a More Developed country – ranked #11 on the Human Development Index

Where do you see most of the economic activities Where do you see most of the economic activities (both Agriculture & Industry) in Canada? Why? (both Agriculture & Industry) in Canada? Why?

Discuss with your “family” and be prepared to Discuss with your “family” and be prepared to explain and defend your “why” response. explain and defend your “why” response.

SocialSocial – Colonization – Colonization 14th & 15th century:British, French & Spanish explored the Eastern Coast and Hudson Bay area;

later settling in this regionFrench lost control of their territory at the end of Seven Years War (1763)

Social – Continental Social – Continental ExpansionExpansionTranscontinental Railroad

completed (1869-1885)

Gold discovered in the Yukon

Large numbers of fortune hunters traveled along RR route

Towns developed along RR route

Population still concentrated here today (near US/Canada border)

Population is 35.1 million & growing – mostly near the US/Canadian border

The people of Canada are mostly of European descent, but the “First Nations” are very vocal

Social – Social – PopulationPopulation

Social – Canadian CultureWhat do you think a former Canadian

Prime Minister meant by this statement aimed at the US? "Living next to you (the US) is in some ways

like sleeping with an elephant. No matter how friendly or temperate the beast, one is affected by every twitch

and grunt.“

Cultural Protectionism: In response to the effect of American popular culture, Canada has imposed “protectionism” policies.

Political – Political – GovernmentGovernment Independent nation in

1931Parliamentary Government

◦ Legislative & Executive functions are combined

◦ Majority party’s leader in Parliament becomes “Prime Minister”

◦ Canada is independent but it’s symbolic head of state remains the British Monarch

◦ Member of the UN

Canada is made up of 10 Provinces & 3 Territories

Capital City: OttawaMajor Cities: Quebec,

Toronto & Montreal Province of Quebec

still has strong cultural ties to France

Nunavut: territory given to Inuit population (Natives)

Political – Political – Provinces & Provinces & TerritoriesTerritories

Human-Environment Human-Environment InteractionInteractionPlentiful resources –

minerals, fossil fuels, forest lands

High latitudes require adaptation in northern locations

Transportation networks removed barriers & helped people develop the west and north