Social Studies 10
Geography - Geography of Canada (Part I)
Geography of Canada
Part A: Key Terms
1) Geographic
perspective
A way of looking and understanding the world
2) Latitude
The distance of any point north or south of the equator, measured up to 90 degrees
3) Longitude
The distance of any point east or west of Prime Meridian, measured up to 180 degrees
4) Global
Positioning
System
(GPS)
A system of satellites and portable receivers able to pinpoint each receiver’s location anywhere
on earth
5) Sustainable
An activity that maintains an ecological balance by avoiding the depletion of a natural resource
6) Globalization
The process of economic, technological, political, and cultural forces creating a single, global
society
7) Geographic
Information
System (GIS)
An information system that stores, analyzes, and presents geographic data
8) Geology
The study of the earth’s crust to learn its origin, history, and structure
9) Topography
The shape and structure of the surface of the surface features of a place or region
10) Sedimentary
rock
Rock made up of layered deposits that have fused together
11) Igneous rock
Rock formed from molten material, such as lava
12) Metamorphic
rock
Rock changed from its original form through heat and pressure
Social Studies 10
Geography - Geography of Canada (Part I)
13) Fold
mountain
Mountains formed by sedimentary rock being pushed together by forces within the earth and
folded into mountains and valleys
14) Fossil fuel
A naturel fuel formed by geological forces from the remains of living organisms
15) Evaporite
A type of sedimentary deposits resulting from the evaporation of seawater
16) Plate
A slab of earth’s crust: plate are underneath all continents and oceans, regularly moving away
from and toward each other
17) Plate
tectonics
Forces and movement within and on the earth’s crust that from its features, such as mountains
ranges and ocean basins
18) Seismic
Relating to earthquakes or other vibrations of the earths crust
19) Subduction
zone
A long region with a trench, where a descending tectonic plate is pushed down into the earth
20) Climate
The temperatures, humidity, rainfall, and atmospheric conditions of region over long periods of
time
21) Continental
climate
The climate of a continents interior
22) Precipitation
climate
Rain, snow, hail, and fog
23) Maritime
climate
A costal climate
24) Urbanization
The process of becoming an area with a large, concentrated population
25) Boom and
bust
Words used to describe a healthy (booming) economy and/or one that is failing (bust)
Social Studies 10
Geography - Geography of Canada (Part I)
Part B: Review Questions
1. List the five principles that geographer use to gather information and provide a brief
description of each. (p. 6-13)
Geographic Principle
1. Relationship within places
Description
- Geography study hoe peoples interact with their environments
2. Region
- Geographers examine how people and places share on or more
common features
3. Place
- Geographers analyze the physical and cultural characteristics of
an area on the Earth
4.movement
- Geographers investigate the movement of people, goods, and
ideas across the Earth
5. Location
-Geographers map and plot the position of particular spots on the
earth’s surface
2. List the three types of regions (p. 11)
Types of Regions
1. Formal regions
Description
Based on official boundaries, such as cities
and provinces. Can also include areas that
share physical or climate similarities. These
regions are usually widely accepted
Examples
St. Lawrence Lowlands, Greater
Victoria Regional District
2. Functional
Regions
Based on connections created by an activity
such as communication or trade flows. These
regions can only exist as long as the activity
or duty exists
The distribution area of a
newspaper, North America Free
Trade Agreement countries
3. Perceptual
regions
Determined by people’s attitudes and
feelings. This type or region usually Ha
meaning only to individuals who have a
“metal map” of it as a region
“Up north,” “the interior”
Social Studies 10
Geography - Geography of Canada (Part I)
3. Using the chart below describe the six physical regions of Canada (p. 16-23)
Physical Region
Description
Geological processes that
created the physical region
Natural Resources
1. Arctic region
2. Cordillera
region
3. Interior plains
region
4. Canadian
Shield region
5. St. Lawrence
lowlands region
6. Appalachian
region
4. Using the chart below, list the six factors that affect temperature and briefly describe
each. (p. 25)
Factors Affecting Temperature
1. Latitude
2. Altitude
3. Distance from the ocean
Description
The higher the latitude, the lower the intensity of the sun’s rays. As
a result, there is a greater seasonal variation in the length of the day
and night. These conditions can affect farming, since crops need
long days and warm season.
The higher the altitude, the colder the temperature. Mountains or
hilly areas generally experience colder temperatures, which is why
snow can still appear on mountains in the summer.
The surface of lands heats and cools more quickly than water. A
Social Studies 10
Geography - Geography of Canada (Part I)
large landmass such as Canada can be very hot in summer and very
cold winter. By contrast, the ocean, creating less of a difference
between summer and winter temperatures, moderates temperatures
in areas such as the west coast of Canada.
4. Wind directions
In Canada, prevailing winds (those that usually come from one
direction) are from the west or the north. West coast communities
have the mildest winter temperatures as a result of warm westerly
winds coming off the ocean.
5. Ocean currents
Ocean currents are either warm or cold, depending on where they
come form. Ocean currents warm or heat the air, which is then
blown onto land. The west coast, with a warm current, has a mild
climate. Newfoundland and Labrador, next to a cold ocean current,
has much harsher winters.
5. Complete the Climate Change – Cause and Effect table (p. 27-28)
Why is the earth getting warmer?
-
-
-
The “greenhouse effect” is now the main
cause of the earth getting warmer
The affect of the warming of the earth I
making the arctic region warmer
-Ice is melting
- Ice roads used for trade are melting
More early in the spring
Polar bears may starve because of how fast
the ice melts in the artic region, which makes
hunting more difficult
There may be more interactions with polar
bears and humans that may not be friendly
Evidence of climate change in Canada
Social Studies 10
Geography - Geography of Canada (Part I)