Canada

Location, Climate, and Resources

GPS & E.Q.

• GPS: SS6G6a. Explain how Canada’s location, climate, and natural resources have affected where people live.

• E.Q. How have location, climate, and natural resources impacted population distribution in Canada?

Vocabulary

Natural Resources

Things

found in nature

that people

use

Canada: Location

Canada’s Climate Zones                                          

West coast climate with lots of rain and tall forests More than 4 summer months

                                           

Cool grassland - average summer months under 18 degrees Not enough rainfall to sustain forests

                      

Stays below 0 degrees year round

              Stays below 10 degrees year round No true summer [over 10] Too dry and cold for tree growth

                3 months of summer Coniferous forest - no grain crops

                       4 months of summer at least Grain crops and forests possible

                       No true winter [above -3 degrees year round [3 summer months] Plenty of rain - tall forests

                                         

Hot summer [above 22 degrees] Mixed agriculture

Natural Resources of Canada• minerals, gold,

diamonds, silver

• fish, wildlife

• Timber

• coal, petroleum, natural gas

• water

Population Density of Canada per square mile

• Yellow=less than 1 • Green=1-4.9• Gold=5-19.9• Orange=20-49.9• purple=50-150• Pink=greater than

150

Canada: Population Distribution• Largest country in western hemisphere;

2nd largest in the world in land area.

• Population is small compared to size – most live in southeast and south-central

• Most (80%) live in towns/cities (urban)

• 90% live within 100 miles of the U.S.A.

Golden Horseshoe

• zone around southern end of Lake Ontario – includes Toronto: ¼ of all Canadians live here.

• another ¼ live in areas of Montreal, Victoria/Vancouver Island, & Calgary-Edmonton.

• Great Lakes & St. Lawrence River: important trade routes from Atlantic Ocean into central Canada

Railroads and highways carry goods inland from both coasts.

9 major seaports help Canada trade with the world.

Canada’s Climate

• The climate keeps people living in just a few areas (southeast).

Southeast Canada

• humid continental climate – warm to hot summers and cold winters

• 60+ inches precipitation/year – snow can exceed 100 inches/year.

• The long growing season in central plains is good for farming.

Pacific Coast

• Temperate climate – cool summers, warm winters

• 100+ inches of rain/year – most in winter

Northern Canada

• Subarctic and arctic climate – long, cold winters & short, cool summers – can freeze even in summer!

Canada’s Natural Resources

• minerals, gold, diamonds, silver

• Fish, fresh water

• Good soil

• Timber, wildlife

• Coal, oil, natural gas – enough to supply Canada’s energy needs and to sell

• Resources are in remote areas, so people are spread across Canada in small communities where mining, farming, & fishing are important.

• Resources are shipped by rail or highway to cities.

CRCT Test Prep p. 4279. Which country is the 2nd largest in land area?

Canada

80. Which statement is true about where people in Canada live?

Most Canadians live within 100 miles of the U.S. border.

81. Which statement best describes Canada’s population?

Canada has a small population compared to the size of its land area

CRCT Test Prep p. 4382. What climate feature keeps most Canadians living

in the southern part of their country?

The north has very cold winters and cool summers.

83. Which part of Canada has subarctic and arctic climates?

North

84. The humid continental climate that covers a large part of Canada helps the country with which type of business?

Farming

CRCT Test Prep p. 4485. Which are important natural resources of

Canada?

Coal, oil, water

86. Why do Canadians live all across their large country?

Many of their natural resources are in remote areas.

CRCT Test Prep p. 4487. What types of communities are usually found in

areas where mining and farming are important?

Small communities

88. Why is it good for Canada that it has enough oil and natural gas to sell?

It can supply its own energy needs and doesn’t have to depend on other countries

Summarize

• How have location, climate, and natural resources affected where people live in Canada?

• Talk to a partner and be ready to explain one of the above to the class.