Physical Geography of Canada

The 8 Physical regions of Canada

• Great Lakes St. Lawrence Lowland • Canadian Shield• Interior Plains• Intermountain Region • Arctic Plains• Appalachian Region• Coastal Plains• Western Cordillera

Great Lakes- St. Lawrence Lowland Smallest region in Canada This region have tons of escarpments (Niagara

Escarpment) most known escarpment in this region.

This region is bounded by Canadian shield, to the north and Appalachian Mountain, to the south.

The Great Lakes section has rolling landscapes created mainly by glaciation(being covered by glaciers or ice sheets)

The St. Lawrence section consist of flat plains on either side of the river.

Climate Humid continental climate The Great Lakes tend to cool the

temperature during summer, by storing heat

It also warms the surrounding areas in Winter

Winter: cool- cold Summer: warm- hot

Vegetation Very fertile soil It’s soil and climate allowed: Maple

Beech

Hickory

Black Walnut

Environmental Concerns Polluted water, air and soil

Canadian Shield 2 billion years old Consist of great volcanic mountains Consist a platform of rocks Consist of chaotic patterns of lakes,

rivers, swamps and muskeg. The geographic foundation of Canada

Climate If you travel north the winters become

long and colder Summers are becoming shorter and

cooler

Vegetation Boreal forest covers most of Canadian

Shield(has sandy soil) spruce pine fir

poplar white birch

These trees are suited for pulp and paper industry.

Environmental Concerns Acid Rain The acid rain is making the lakes and

river’s acidity rise that fish can’t tolerate.

Interior Plains Vast sweep of plains Gentle rolling hills Deep river valleys Contains 3 different elevations

Climate Continental Climate Long hot summers Cold wintersFarther North: Extremely long and cold winters Short and cool summers

Vegetation Trees only grow in rivers and valleys.

evergreens

Environmental Concerns Use of auto mobiles Disposing of waste into landfills Lumber harvesting Erosion Farm pollutants seeping into the ground

and operating off into the river and lake programs

Intermountain Region Thinly populated area of high plateaus

and isolated mountains Consist of interior plateau valley of BC

and Yukon. Their streams and river never reach the

sea, they flow into brackish(somewhat salty

lakes)

Climate Its climate is affected by its location and

by its elevation Winters can be cool and wet or hot

depending on the region Winters are short and warm with very

little precipitation The northern portions of the region lacks

precipitation.(climates moderate with moist winters and

hot dry summers)

Vegetation Sparse grassland to plants that can

survive in semi desert or desert conditions

Higher areas are covered in thin pine forest.

Environmental Concerns Destroying habitats of birds. Deforestation because of growing

human population.

Arctic Plains Combination of lowlands and mountains. Arctic near the ocean is very flat. Mountains at far north are covered by

glaciers. Arctic is a desert.

Climate Winter last for 10 months. Very short summer and not very warm.

Vegetation

Small ShrubsLichens

Mosses

The only plants that can grow at Arctic Plain

Environmental Concerns Blizzard Snow Storm Avalanche No Plants that grow food

Appalachian Region Made up of many different mountain

ranges(old mountains formed 300 million years ago) Erosions made these mountains into rolling

mountains and hills. Have fertile plateaus and river valleys. Coal, Oil and Gas can be found in

sedimentary rocks.

The Appalachian Regions rivers can provide transportations.

ClimateIt’s climate is affected by two ocean currents: The Labrador Current- Brings cold water south from the Arctic and causes freezing during the winter months The Gulf’s Stream- Bring warm water north from the Caribbean and along the coast of North America

Vegetation It’s heavily forested with

coniferous(evergreens) and deciduous(trees that shed leaves annually)

They have poor mountain soil

Environmental Concerns Mountain top removal Removing air pollution Coal mining

Coastal Plains Lowland area(flat surface) More than half of coastal plains is less

than 30m above sea level. Lots of swamp and marshes

ClimateIn the north: it is cold and snowy winters It is hot and humid summersIn the south: Subtropical climate Mild and warm winters

Vegetation The soils are sandy It has the same vegetation as Canadian

Shield like pines and spruces.

Environmental Concerns Growing population, industrial

development and desire to live in these region is causing destruction to the environment.

Western Cordillera Consist of range after range of

mountains separated by plateaus and valleys

The Rocky Mountains are the most easterly range of mountains in this region Comprised of new mountains (twice as high as Appalachian mountains)

Climate Maritime climate(strongly influenced by

the closeness of a large body of water). Some parts of Western Cordillera are the

wettest regions on earth Winters are above freezing and summers

are cooler than in the interior of the continent.

The west coast is moist and mild.

Vegetation On the moist, windward slopes, evergreens,

such as Douglas fir, western hemlock and western red cedar grow to tremendous size on the lowest slopes

The giant sequoia(The largest tree in the world)

On top of the mountains there are small trees.

On the leeward slopes, grasses and cactuses grow in the dry valleys.

Environmental Concerns Construction and development of land is

causing habitat destruction in the Eco zone.

Industrialization and urbanization is causing water shortages.

Forest fire happens every year.

References

http://allensaxiom.ednet.ns.ca/map%20of%20canada.bmphttp://partner.galileo.org/schools/gibson/4-5_fp/geography/issue/st_lawrence_i/st_lawrencei_1.htmhttp://ca.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100113063354AA1BznJhttp://prezi.com/xdi0uvo7psek/the-intermountain-region/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appalachian_Voiceshttp://www.wiser.org/organization/view/c4de7845c4e40ed291730d3fdbe88dd0http://navleen0.tripod.com/comevisitthemontainecordillera/id3.htmlhttp://environmental-protections.info/environmental-issues/what-environmental-issues-effect-the-interior-plains-of-canada/