Atlantic Canada: Physiographic Region

Emily Kocsis, Sara Jones, and Mariam Soliman

Introduction

Physiography is defined as the study of the earth’s surface, including: land formation, climate, current and rock type. Land formation, climate,current and rock type are all dominant components of Atlantic Canada.

Land Formations

The most well known land formation in Atlantic Canada is the Appalachian Mountains. Formed about 300 million years ago by collision of North America and Europe during Paleozoic era.Years of erosion and glaciation has reduced jagged peaks to mountains and hills

Climate

Most of Atlantic Canada is part of the humid, continental summerAtlantic Canada has a very moist climateGenerally speaking Atlantic Canada’s climate is very similar to the information below:AVERAGETEMPER-ATURE

TEMP RANGE

TOTAL PRECIP.

SEASON OF MAX.PRECIP

CONTINE-NTAL OR MARITIME

5ºC -10º to 18º

1299 mm

winter maritime

Rock Type

In Atlantic Canada’s main rock type is sedimentaryAlong the coasts especially it is very rocky, made up mostly of sedimentary. The Appalachians are mostly made up of Sedimentary with volcanic activity and faulting creating some areas of igneous and metamorphic rock. Plateaus of igneous and metamorphic are composed of iron and zinc.

Conclusion

Atlantic Canada is a very unique regionIt is best known for the Appalachian Mountains Heavy precipitation makes this region of Canada a very moist setting.

Peggy’s Cove in Nova Scotia

Bibliography

Clarke, Bruce ./ Wallace, John K. Making Connections. Scarborough, Ontario: Prentice Hall Ginn Ontario, 1999.