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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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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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I. The First Settlers and Colonial Rivalry

A. Early PeoplesAfter Ice Age, migrants cross Arctic land bridge from Asia

1. ancestors of Arctic Inuit (Eskimos); North American Indians to south

2. 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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B. Colonization by France and Britain

1. French explorers claim much of Canada in 1500–1600s as “New France”2. British settlers colonize the Atlantic Coast3. Coastal fisheries and inland fur trade important to both countries4. 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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II. Steps Toward UnityA. Establishing the Dominion of Canada

1. In 1791 Britain creates two political units called provinces

a. Upper Canada (later, Ontario): English-speaking, Protestantb. Lower Canada (Quebec): French-speaking, Roman Catholicc. Rupert’s Land a northern area owned by fur-trading company

2. Immigrants arrive, cities develop: Quebec City, Montreal, Toronto

a. railways, canals are built as explorers seek better fur-trading areas

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3. Political, ethnic disputes lead to Britain’s 1867 North America Act

a. creates Dominion of Canada as a loose confederation (political union)b. Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswickc. self-governed part of British Empire

4. Expansion includes:a. Rupert’s Land, Manitoba, British Columbia, Prince Edward Islandb. later: Yukon Territory, Alberta, Saskatchewanc. Newfoundland in 1949

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III. Continental Expansion and DevelopmentA. From the Atlantic to the Pacific

1. In 1885 a transcontinental railroad goes from Montreal to Vancouver2. European immigrants arrive and Yukon gold brings fortune hunters

a. copper, zinc, silver also found; grow towns, railroads

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

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B. Urban and Industrial Growth1. Farming gives way to

urban industrialization, manufacturing

a. within 100 miles of U.S. border due to climate, land, transportation

2. Canada becomes major economic power in 20th century

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IV. Governing CanadaA. The Parliamentary System1. In 1931 Canada becomes

independent, British monarch is symbolic head

2. Parliamentary government:a. parliament—legislature combining legislative and executive functionsb. consists of an appointed Senate, elected House of Commonsc. prime minister, head of government, is majority party leader

3. All ten provinces have own legislature and premier (prime minister)

a. federal government administers the territories

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

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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The Early Fur Trade•in 1500s Native Americans, (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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I. An Increasingly Diverse Economy

* highly industrialized and urbanized, one of the world’s most developed economies.* a diverse people.

A. Canada’s Primary Industries

1. Farming, logging, mining, fishing: 10% of gross domestic product

a. Canada is the world’s leading exporter of forest products

2. Mining: uranium, zinc, gold, and silver are exported3. 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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B. The Manufacturing Sector1. 15% of Canadians work

in manufacturing, create 1/5 of GDP

a. make cars, steel, appliances, equipment (high-tech, mining)

b. 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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C. Service Industries Drive the Economy

1. Most Canadians work in service industries, which create 60% of GDP

a. finance, utilities, trade, transportation, communication, insurance

b. land’s natural beauty makes tourism the fastest growing service

2. Heavy trade with U.S.: same language, open border (world’s longest)

a. 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with U.S., Mexico

b. 85% of Canadian exports go to U.S.

c. 75% of Canada’s imports come from U.S.

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II. A Land of Many CulturesA. Languages and Religions

1. Mixing of French and native peoples created métis culture2. Bilingual: English is most common, except in French-speaking Quebec3. English Protestants and French Catholics dominate, but often clash

a. increasing numbers of Muslims, Jews, other groups

Bonjour!

Hello!

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B. Canada’s Population1. Densest in port cities (Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver) and farmlands2. Environment keeps 80% of people on 10% of land (near U.S. border)3. Urbanization: in 1900 33% of people lived in cities, today it’s 80%4. Various ethnic groups cluster in certain areas

a. 75% of French Canadians live in Quebecb. many native peoples live on reserves—public land set aside for themc. most Inuits live in the remote Arctic northd. many Canadians of Asian ancestry live on West Coast

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

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III. Life in Canada TodayA. Employment and Education

1. Relatively high standard of living, well-educated population2. Labor force is 55% men, 45% women

a. 75% in service industries, 15% in manufacturingb. Oldest university, Laval, established in Quebec by Frenchc. English universities founded in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick in 1780sd. Today, Canada has a 97% literacy rate

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B. Sports and Recreation1. Popular sports: skating, ice hockey, fishing, skiing, golf, hunting

a. Canada has own football league; other pro teams play in U.S. leaguesb. native peoples developed lacrosse, European settlers developed hockey

2. Annual festivals include Quebec Winter Carnival, Calgary Stampede

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

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C. The Arts1. Earliest literature from oral traditions of First Nations peoples2. Later writings from settlers, missionaries, explorers3. Early visual arts seen in Inuit carving, West Coast totem poles4. Early 1900s painting: unique style of Toronto’s Group of Seven5. Shakespeare honored at Ontario’s world-famous Stratford Festival

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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 the Territories.

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

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I. The Atlantic ProvincesA. Harsh Lands and Small Populations

1. Eastern Canada’s Atlantic Provinces:

a. Prince Edward Islandb. New Brunswickc. Nova Scotiad. Newfoundland

2. Only 8% of Canada’s population, due to rugged terrain, harsh weather

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

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3. Most people live in coastal cities such as:

a. Halifaxb. Nova

Scotiac. St. Johnd. New

Brunswick4. 85% of Nova Scotia

has rocky hills, poor soil

5. 90% of New Brunswick is forested

6. Newfoundland has severe storms

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B. Economic Activities1. New Brunswick’s largest industry: logging (lumber, wood pulp, paper)2. Gulf of St. Lawrence, coastal waters supply seafood for export3. Nova Scotia: logging, fishing, shipbuilding, trade through Halifax4. Newfoundland: fishing, mining, logging, hydro-electric power

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II. The Core Provinces—Quebec and Ontario

A. The Heartland of Canada1. Quebec City: French explorer Samuel de Champlain built fort in 16082. 60% Canada’s population live in Core Provinces Ontario and Quebec

a. Ontario has largest population; Quebec has largest land area

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C. Canada’s Political and Economic Center

1. Ottawa, Ontario is the national capital2. Quebec has great political importance in French-Canadian life3. Core: 35% of Canada’s crops, 45% of minerals, 70% of manufacturing4. 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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III. The Prairie ProvincesA. Canada’s Breadbasket

1. Great Plains Prairie Provinces: Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta2. 50% of Canada’s agricultural production, 60% of mineral output

a. Alberta has coal, oil deposits; produces 90% of Canada’s natural gasAlberta

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B. A Cultural Mix1. Manitoba:

Scots-Irish, Germans, Scandinavians, Ukrainians, Poles

2.Saskatchewan’s population includes Asian immigrants, Métis

3. Alberta’s diversity includes Indian, Japanese, Lebanese, Vietnamese

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IV. The Pacific Province and the TerritoriesA. British Columbia

1. westernmost province, mostly in Rocky Mountains

a. 1/2 is forests; 1/3 is frozen tundra, snowfields, glaciers

2. Most people live in southwest; major cities are Victoria, Vancouver3. Economy built on logging, mining, hydroelectric power

a. Vancouver is Canada’s largest port, has prosperous shipping trade

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B. The Territories1. The three northern territories account for 41% of Canada’s land2. Sparsely populated due to rugged land and severe climate

a. Yukon has population of 30,000; mostly wildernessb. Northwest Territories has population of 41,000; extends into Arcticc. Nunavut was created from Northwest Territories in 1999; home to Inuit

i. Territories’ economies include mining, fishing, some logging

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Bibliography• Mcdougal Littell, World Geography.

Houghton Mifflin Company. 2012