Geography
Chapter 7
Human Geography of Canada
Developing a Vast Wilderness
Three major groups in Canada—the native peoples, the French, and the English—have melded
into a diverse and economically strong nation.
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Geography
Chapter 7
Human Geography of Canada
Developing a Vast Wilderness
SECTION 1
History and Government of Canada
SECTION 2
Economy and Culture of Canada
SECTION 3
Subregions of Canada
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Geography
Chapter 7
Section-1
History and Government of Canada
• French and British settlement greatly influenced Canada’s political development.
• Canada’s size and climate affected economic growth and population distribution.
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Geography
Chapter 7
Section-1
History and Government of Canada
The First Settlers and Colonial Rivalry
Early Peoples
• After Ice Age, migrants cross Arctic land bridge from Asia
− ancestors of Arctic Inuit (Eskimos); North American Indians to south
• Vikings found Vinland (Newfoundland) about A.D. 1000; later abandon
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Geography
Chapter 7
The First Settlers and Colonial Rivalry {continued}
Colonization by France and Britain
• French explorers claim much of Canada in 1500–1600s as “New France”
• British settlers colonize the Atlantic Coast
• Coastal fisheries and inland fur trade important to both countries
• Britain wins French and Indian War (1754–1763); French settlers stay
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Geography
Chapter 7
1
Steps Toward Unity
Establishing the Dominion of Canada
• In 1791 Britain creates two political units called provinces
− Upper Canada (later, Ontario): English-speaking, Protestant
− Lower Canada (Quebec): French-speaking, Roman Catholic
• Rupert’s Land a northern area owned by fur-trading company
• Immigrants arrive, cities develop: Quebec City, Montreal, Toronto
− railways, canals are built as explorers seek better fur-trading areas
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Geography
Chapter 7
Steps Toward Unity {continued}
Establishing the Dominion of Canada
• Political, ethnic disputes lead to Britain’s 1867 North America Act
− creates Dominion of Canada as a loose confederation (political union)
− Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick
− self-governed part of British Empire
• Expansion includes:
− Rupert’s Land, Manitoba, British Columbia, Prince Edward Island
− later: Yukon Territory, Alberta, Saskatchewan
− Newfoundland in 1949
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Geography
Chapter 7
Continental Expansion and Development
From the Atlantic to the Pacific
• In 1885 a transcontinental railroad goes from Montreal to Vancouver
• European immigrants arrive and Yukon gold brings fortune hunters
− copper, zinc, silver also found; grow towns, railroads
Urban and Industrial Growth
• Farming gives way to urban industrialization, manufacturing
− within 100 miles of U.S. border due to climate, land, transportation
• Canada becomes major economic power in 20th century
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Geography
Chapter 7
Governing Canada
The Parliamentary System
• In 1931 Canada becomes independent, British monarch is symbolic head
• Parliamentary government:
− parliament—legislature combining legislative and executive functions
− consists of an appointed Senate, elected House of Commons
− prime minister, head of government, is majority party leader
• All ten provinces have own legislature and premier (prime minister)
− federal government administers the territories
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Geography
Chapter 7
Section-2
Economy and Culture of Canada
• Canada is highly industrialized and urbanized, with one of the world’s most
developed economies.
• Canadians are a diverse people.
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Geography
Chapter 7
Section-2
Economy and Culture of Canada
An Increasingly Diverse Economy
The Early Fur Trade
• Beginning in 1500s Native Americans, now known as the First Nations:
− begin trade with European fishermen along Atlantic coast
• French and English trappers and traders expand westward
• Voyageurs—French-Canadian boatmen transport pelts to trading posts
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Geography
Chapter 7
An Increasingly Diverse Economy {continued}
Canada’s Primary Industries
• Farming, logging, mining, fishing: 10% of gross domestic product
− Canada is the world’s leading exporter of forest products
• Mining: uranium, zinc, gold, and silver are exported
• Fishing: domestic consumption is low, so most of catch is exported
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Geography
Chapter 7
2
An Increasingly Diverse Economy {continued}
The Manufacturing Sector
• 15% of Canadians work in manufacturing, create 1/5 of GDP
− make cars, steel, appliances, equipment (high-tech, mining)
− centered in heartland, from Quebec City, Quebec, to Windsor, Ontario
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Geography
Chapter 7
An Increasingly Diverse Economy {continued}
Service Industries Drive the Economy
• Most Canadians work in service industries, which create 60% of GDP
− finance, utilities, trade, transportation, communication, insurance
− land’s natural beauty makes tourism the fastest growing service
• Heavy trade with U.S.: same language, open border (world’s longest)
− 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with U.S., Mexico
− 85% of Canadian exports go to U.S.
− 75% of Canada’s imports come from U.S.
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Geography
Chapter 7
A Land of Many Cultures
Languages and Religions
• Mixing of French and native peoples created métis culture
• Bilingual: English is most common, except in French-speaking Quebec
• English Protestants and French Catholics dominate, but often clash
− increasing numbers of Muslims, Jews, other groups
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Geography
Chapter 7
A Land of Many Cultures {continued}
Canada’s Population
• Densest in port cities (Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver) and farmlands
• Environment keeps 80% of people on 10% of land (near U.S. border)
• Urbanization: in 1900 33% of people lived in cities, today it’s 80%
• Various ethnic groups cluster in certain areas
− 75% of French Canadians live in Quebec
− many native peoples live on reserves—public land set aside for them
− most Inuits live in the remote Arctic north
− many Canadians of Asian ancestry live on West Coast
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Geography
Chapter 7
2
Life in Canada Today
Employment and Education
• Relatively high standard of living, well-educated population
• Labor force is 55% men, 45% women
− 75% in service industries, 15% in manufacturing
• Oldest university, Laval, established in Quebec by French
• English universities founded in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick in 1780s
• Today, Canada has a 97% literacy rate
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Geography
Chapter 7
Life in Canada Today {continued}
Sports and Recreation
• Popular sports: skating, ice hockey, fishing, skiing, golf, hunting
− Canada has own football league; other pro teams play in U.S. leagues
− native peoples developed lacrosse, European settlers developed hockey
• Annual festivals include Quebec Winter Carnival, Calgary Stampede
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Geography
Chapter 7
2
Life in Canada Today {continued}
The Arts
• Earliest literature from oral traditions of First Nations peoples
• Later writings from settlers, missionaries, explorers
• Early visual arts seen in Inuit carving, West Coast totem poles
• Early 1900s painting: unique style of Toronto’s Group of Seven
• Shakespeare honored at Ontario’s world-famous Stratford Festival
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Geography
Chapter 7
Section-3
Subregions of Canada
• Canada is divided into four subregions: the Atlantic, Core, and Prairie Provinces,
and the Pacific Province and the Territories.
• Each subregion possesses unique natural resources, landforms, economic
activities, and cultural life.
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Geography
Chapter 7
Section-3
Subregions of Canada
The Atlantic Provinces
Harsh Lands and Small Populations
• Eastern Canada’s Atlantic Provinces:
− Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland
• Only 8% of Canada’s population, due to rugged terrain, harsh weather
• Most people live in coastal cities such as:
− Halifax, Nova Scotia
− St. John, New Brunswick
• 85% of Nova Scotia is rocky hills, poor soil
• 90% of New Brunswick is forested
• Newfoundland has severe storms
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Geography
Chapter 7
The Atlantic Provinces {continued}
Economic Activities
• New Brunswick’s largest industry: logging (lumber, wood pulp, paper)
• Gulf of St. Lawrence, coastal waters supply seafood for export
• Nova Scotia: logging, fishing, shipbuilding, trade through Halifax
• Newfoundland: fishing, mining, logging, hydro-electric power
− supplies power to Quebec, parts of northeastern U.S.
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Geography
Chapter 7
3
The Core Provinces—Quebec and Ontario
The Heartland of Canada
• Quebec City: French explorer Samuel de Champlain built fort in 1608
• 60% Canada’s population live in Core Provinces Ontario and Quebec
− Ontario has largest population; Quebec has largest land area
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Geography
Chapter 7
The Core Provinces—Quebec and Ontario {continued}
Canada’s Political and Economic Center
• Ottawa, Ontario is the national capital
• Quebec has great political importance in French-Canadian life
• Core: 35% of Canada’s crops, 45% of minerals, 70% of manufacturing
• Toronto the largest city, finance hub; Montreal second largest city
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Geography
Chapter 7
The Prairie Provinces
Canada’s Breadbasket
• Great Plains Prairie Provinces: Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta
• 50% of Canada’s agricultural production, 60% of mineral output
− Alberta has coal, oil deposits; produces 90% of Canada’s natural gas
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Geography
Chapter 7
The Prairie Provinces {continued}
A Cultural Mix
• Manitoba: Scots-Irish, Germans, Scandinavians, Ukrainians, Poles
• Saskatchewan’s population includes Asian immigrants, métis
• Alberta’s diversity includes Indian, Japanese, Lebanese, Vietnamese
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Geography
Chapter 7
3
The Pacific Province and the Territories
British Columbia
•
British Columbia—westernmost province, mostly in Rocky Mountains
− 1/2 is forests; 1/3 is frozen tundra, snowfields, glaciers
• Most people live in southwest; major cities are Victoria, Vancouver
• Economy built on logging, mining, hydroelectric power
− Vancouver is Canada’s largest port, has prosperous shipping trade
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Geography
Chapter 7
The Pacific Province and the Territories {continued}
The Territories
• The three northern territories account for 41% of Canada’s land
• Sparsely populated due to rugged land and severe climate
− Yukon has population of 30,000; mostly wilderness
− Northwest Territories has population of 41,000; extends into Arctic
− Nunavut was created from Northwest Territories in 1999; home to Inuit
• Territories’ economies include mining, fishing, some logging
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Chapter 7
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Chapter 7
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