The Canadian Shield Overview

The Canadian Shield

• Largest landform region in Canada.
• Stretches from The Maritime Provinces to the Northern Territories.
• Located in Ontario.
• Very rocky with rolling hills and limited, poor soil.
• Known as a very old rock formation, some of the oldest in the world.
• Formed as a result of massive volcanoes forcing rocks to the surface billions of years ago.
• Glaciers scraped away soil revealing the rock below.
• Covered by massive forests.
• Contains numerous lakes, streams and ponds, with over 25% of the Canadian Shield covered in water.
• The majority of flat areas turn into swamps and marshes.
• The summers in the Canadian Shield region are hot and dry because of the long days.
• Winters are cold with high winds and heavy snowfall.
• Home to a diverse variety of wildlife, including moose, wolves, coyotes, wood buffalo, lynx, wolverine, caribou, and great horned owls.
• Known for its beavers.
• Contains major resources, including lumber, precious minerals (e.g., gold, silver, iron, diamonds), and tourism.
• Major cities exist in the region, such as Sudbury and Ottawa (Canada's capital).
• Majority of the region remains unpopulated, with only small towns and settlements.