Canadian Geography Course Notes

Rocks that have been changed by heat and pressure, like limestone turning into marble or shale turning into slate.

Large masses of ice that move slowly over land, leaving behind distinctive landforms.

The process of glaciers advancing and retreating over time, shaping the Earth's surface.

A valley shaped by glaciers, characterized by a U-shaped cross-section.

Scratches or grooves carved into bedrock by rocks carried by glaciers.

Unsorted material deposited by glaciers, often found in moraines.

A long, winding ridge of sand and gravel formed by meltwater flowing beneath a glacier.

Egg-shaped hills formed by glacial erosion and deposition, often found in clusters.

The distance from the equator, the closer to the equator the warmer it is due to concentrated sun rays.

Large bodies of water that move and transfer heat. Warm currents from the tropics can raise the temperature of nearby land.

Large masses of air taking on the temperature of their origin. They move from high to low pressure areas, creating winds.

The height above sea level. As air rises, it expands, cools, and can form condensation (clouds, rain, snow, hail).

When a warm, moist air mass rises over a mountain, it cools and condenses, forming precipitation on the windward side. The leeward side experiences drier weather.

Warm ground heats air, causing it to rise, cool, and condense, leading to precipitation.

When warm, moist air meets cool, dry air, the warm air rises, cools, condenses, and creates precipitation.

A graph showing the average temperature and precipitation of a location over a year. It reveals trends and climate patterns.

The long-term heating of Earth's climate system. This causes rising sea levels, glacial melt, and ocean acidification.

A climate characterized by large temperature ranges and low precipitation. Found in inland areas far from oceans.

A method of harvesting trees that involves cutting down strips of forest, leaving uncut sections between them to reduce soil erosion.

A method of harvesting trees that involves selectively cutting down individual trees, usually with chainsaws.

A method of harvesting trees that involves removing older trees to make room for new trees to grow.

The removal of trees from a large area, often for timber, agriculture, or urban development.

A naturally occurring, pure, non-living substance found in rocks, such as metals, minerals, and fossil fuels.

The loose top layer of Earth where plants grow. It needs space for water and air to flow for optimal health.

Air, minerals, organic matter, and water are all essential components.

Organisms that help improve farming practices, like beneficial bacteria and earthworms.

Organisms that harm farming practices, like pests and diseases.

Level and well-drained land is ideal for farming, offering fertile conditions for crops.

Products with a short shelf life are best produced close to markets to minimize spoilage.

Farming practices focusing on high yield and profit in densely populated areas, often with smaller farms.

Farming practices using large farms and machinery in less populated areas to achieve profits with lower yields.

Canada's oldest primary industry employing over 80,000 Canadians.

The Grand Banks are an ideal fishing area due to its abundance of plankton, favorable temperatures, and ample food supply.

A measure comparing the number of people aged 0-14 and 65+ to the working-age population (15-64).

A population pyramid with a wide base, indicating a large proportion of children, fast population growth, and a smaller older population.

A population pyramid with a fairly uniform shape across most age groups, suggesting a balanced age distribution and a stable population.

A population pyramid with a narrow base, indicating a low birth rate, slow population growth, and a larger proportion of older people.

A population pyramid shape that indicates a country with high standards of living, good healthcare, and education.

Extracting minerals located deep in the earth. This requires digging tunnels and shafts.

The extraction of minerals from the earth's surface. It involves digging large open pits.

A stationary platform built on the seabed, used for oil extraction in shallow waters.

A platform that can move around, used for oil drilling in deep ocean waters.

The process of refining crude oil to remove impurities and produce different types of fuels.

The process of cities growing and attracting more people to live there.

Areas with a population of 5,000 or more and 2,000 housing units, usually densely populated.

Areas with a population under 5,000 and fewer than 2,000 housing units, usually rural.

The ability to meet the current needs of the present while preserving the environment for future generations.