Chapter 7 Human Geography of Canada: Developing a Vast Wilderness

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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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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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The First Settlers and Colonial RivalryEarly 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

http://wearecanadians.wordpress.com/2011/03/14/the-inuit-people-of-canada/

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2010/07/21/viking-discovery-lanse-aux-meadows.html

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The First Settlers and Colonial RivalryColonization 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

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=new+france+map+1600s&um=1&hl=en&tbm=isch&tbnid=6PTW2i87bQx9GM:&imgrefurl

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Steps Toward UnityEstablishing 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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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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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

http://trailblazer-guides.com/book/trans-canada-rail-guide

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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

http://www.trailcanada.com/destinations/cities/

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Governing CanadaThe 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

http://www.historyfiles.co.uk/KingListsAmericas/ColoniesBritish.htm

http://www.topnews.in/law/people/stephenharper?page=2

Stephen Harper is the current Prime Minister of Canada.

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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.

http://ww

w.traveltocanadanow

.com/

winnipeg.htm

Winnipeg

Toronto

http://www.geostoronto.com/about_city

Vancouver http://ww

w.w

ayfaring.info/2008/12/08/vancouver-olym

pics-games-2010/

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An Increasingly Diverse EconomyThe 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

http://www.nps.gov/voya/historyculture/the-fur-trade.htm

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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

http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/story/2010/05/17/forest-agreement.html

http://www.gildedlife.com/2010/08/canadian-gold-maple-leaf-coins/

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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

http://www.canada.com/business/fp/Conference+Board+gloomy+profit+outlook/5261819/story.html

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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.

http://www.canadaupdates.com/content/canadian-tourism-commission-gears-attract-tourists

http://www.directoryofschools.com/Canadian-Tourism-College/Travel-Agent-Training.htm

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A Land of Many CulturesLanguages 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

Bonjour!

Hello!

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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

17https://travelcanada.wikispaces.com/Population+Map+of+Canada

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Life in Canada TodayEmployment 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

http://www.damas.ift.ulaval.ca/~beaumont/aboutLaval.html

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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

http://www.buckinghampalacenews.com/wp/prince-william-kate-canada-details/474

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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

http://ww

w.inuit.com

/?p2=/modules/xgalleries/show

gallery.jsp&curAlbId=48

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Section 3: Sub regions of Canada

• Canada is divided into four sub regions: the Atlantic, Core, Prairie Provinces, and the Pacific Province and then the Territories.

• Each sub region possesses unique natural resources, landforms, economic activities, and cultural life.

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The Atlantic ProvincesHarsh 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

stormshttp://golf-for-beginners.blogspot.com/2010/08/golf-in-coastal-provinces-of-atlantic.html

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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.

http://www.perkins-sabre.com/News/Sab-2-066.cfm

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The Core Provinces—Quebec and OntarioThe 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

http://www.laurieroptical.com/fr/locations.php

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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

The Rideau Canal in Ottawa freezes during the winter, and is used for ice skating!

http://ww

w.planetw

are.com/picture/ottaw

a-rideau-canal-cdn-cdn1048.htm

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The Prairie ProvincesCanada’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

Alberta

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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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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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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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Bibliography

• Mcdougal Littell, World Geography. Houghton Mifflin Company. 2012