Political Geography of Canada

Political Geography of Canada

• Provinces/Territories: Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut.
• Major Cities: Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Ottawa, Calgary.
• Oceans: Pacific (west), Atlantic (east), Arctic (north).
• Hudson Bay: Located northeast of Canada; bordered by Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec.
• Map Elements: Title, scale, compass rose, legend, grid system (latitude/longitude).
• Latitude/Longitude: Latitude (parallel to equator), longitude (pole to pole). Toronto's approximate coordinates: 44°N, 79°W.
• Time Zones: Six time zones (Pacific, Mountain, Central, Eastern, Atlantic, Newfoundland). Example: Toronto (Eastern) 3 PM = Vancouver (Pacific) 12 PM.

Interactions in the Physical Environment

• Population Density: Population divided by land area. Canada's density is approximately 4 people per square kilometer.
• Population Distribution: Linear (along coasts, transportation), clustered (urban centers), dispersed (rural).
• Rural Settlement Patterns: Linear (along roads, rivers), clustered (dense areas, e.g., mining), dispersed (spread over farming).
• Landform Regions: Canadian Shield (rocky, minerals), Interior Plains (fertile, flat), Appalachian Mountains (old, eroded).
• Landform Formation: Tectonic activity, glaciation, erosion, sedimentation.
• Geological Eras: Precambrian (oldest, Canadian Shield), Paleozoic (marine life, sedimentary rock), Mesozoic (dinosaurs, Rockies), Cenozoic (Ice Age, mammals).
• Plate Tectonics: Earth's plate movement creates earthquakes, mountains. (Pacific vs. North American plate example)
• Climate Factors (LOWERN): Latitude, ocean currents (Gulf Stream, Labrador), wind/air masses, elevation, relief (rain shadow), near water.
• Glacier Formation: Shaped valleys, created lakes (e.g., Great Lakes) from Ice Ages.
• Climate Graph Interpretations: Temperature range (hottest - coldest month), total precipitation, average temperature.
• Maritime vs. Continental Climates: Maritime (small range, high precipitation); Continental (large range, low precipitation).
• Ecozones: Boreal Shield, Prairies, Arctic Cordillera (examples).

Managing Canada's Resources

• Ecological Footprint/Stewardship: Measuring resource use/impact and responsible management.
• Sustainability: Preserving resources for future.
• Natural Resources: Renewable (forests, water); Non-renewable (oil, gas, coal).
• Oil in Canada: Found in Alberta (oil sands), Newfoundland (offshore).
• Industries: Primary (resource extraction), Secondary (manufacturing), Tertiary (services). (Tertiary most employed, primary least)
• Conservation: Reduce, reuse, recycle, rethink, refuse, repair (6 R's).
• Fishing Collapse (Atlantic): Overfishing, improved technology, foreign fleets, and poor management.
• NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations): Red Cross, WWF; aid and sustainability promotion.

Changing Populations

• Demographic Formulas: Population Growth Rate = (Birth Rate + Immigration) - (Death Rate + Emigration). Natural Increase Rate = Birth Rate - Death Rate.
• Canada's Population Trend: Urbanization, aging population (immigration, longer life expectancy).
• Rural-to-Urban Migration: Job opportunities, services.
• 20th-Century Immigration: Economic opportunities, escaping conflicts.
• Push and Pull Factors (Immigration): Push (war, poverty); Pull (safety, quality of life, jobs).
• Factors Influencing Immigration: Peace, strong economy, high standard of living.
• Desirable Location Factors: Political stability, economic opportunity, multiculturalism.
• Human Development Index (HDI): Measures a country's development (life expectancy, education, income).
• Population Pyramid Types: Expanding (high birth rate), stable, negative (aging population).
• Urban Land Uses: Residential, commercial, industrial, recreational, transportation.
• Native Peoples: First Nations, Métis, Inuit; land rights, cultural preservation.
• Developed vs. Developing Countries: Developed (high HDI), Developing (low HDI).

This quiz explores the political geography of Canada, including its provinces and territories, major cities, and geographical features. You'll learn about essential map elements, latitude and longitude, and Canada's time zones. Test your knowledge of how these factors shape Canada's physical environment.