Physical geography of canada
-
Upload
bloodywolf999 -
Category
Education
-
view
781 -
download
7
Transcript of Physical geography of canada
Physical Geography of Canada
The 8 Physical regions of Canada
• Great Lakes St. Lawrence Lowland • Canadian Shield• Interior Plains• Intermountain Region • Arctic Plains• Appalachian Region• Coastal Plains• Western Cordillera
Great Lakes- St. Lawrence Lowland Smallest region in Canada This region have tons of escarpments (Niagara
Escarpment) most known escarpment in this region.
This region is bounded by Canadian shield, to the north and Appalachian Mountain, to the south.
The Great Lakes section has rolling landscapes created mainly by glaciation(being covered by glaciers or ice sheets)
The St. Lawrence section consist of flat plains on either side of the river.
Climate Humid continental climate The Great Lakes tend to cool the
temperature during summer, by storing heat
It also warms the surrounding areas in Winter
Winter: cool- cold Summer: warm- hot
Vegetation Very fertile soil It’s soil and climate allowed: Maple
Beech
Hickory
Black Walnut
Environmental Concerns Polluted water, air and soil
Canadian Shield 2 billion years old Consist of great volcanic mountains Consist a platform of rocks Consist of chaotic patterns of lakes,
rivers, swamps and muskeg. The geographic foundation of Canada
Climate If you travel north the winters become
long and colder Summers are becoming shorter and
cooler
Vegetation Boreal forest covers most of Canadian
Shield(has sandy soil) spruce pine fir
poplar white birch
These trees are suited for pulp and paper industry.
Environmental Concerns Acid Rain The acid rain is making the lakes and
river’s acidity rise that fish can’t tolerate.
Interior Plains Vast sweep of plains Gentle rolling hills Deep river valleys Contains 3 different elevations
Climate Continental Climate Long hot summers Cold wintersFarther North: Extremely long and cold winters Short and cool summers
Vegetation Trees only grow in rivers and valleys.
evergreens
Environmental Concerns Use of auto mobiles Disposing of waste into landfills Lumber harvesting Erosion Farm pollutants seeping into the ground
and operating off into the river and lake programs
Intermountain Region Thinly populated area of high plateaus
and isolated mountains Consist of interior plateau valley of BC
and Yukon. Their streams and river never reach the
sea, they flow into brackish(somewhat salty
lakes)
Climate Its climate is affected by its location and
by its elevation Winters can be cool and wet or hot
depending on the region Winters are short and warm with very
little precipitation The northern portions of the region lacks
precipitation.(climates moderate with moist winters and
hot dry summers)
Vegetation Sparse grassland to plants that can
survive in semi desert or desert conditions
Higher areas are covered in thin pine forest.
Environmental Concerns Destroying habitats of birds. Deforestation because of growing
human population.
Arctic Plains Combination of lowlands and mountains. Arctic near the ocean is very flat. Mountains at far north are covered by
glaciers. Arctic is a desert.
Climate Winter last for 10 months. Very short summer and not very warm.
Vegetation
Small ShrubsLichens
Mosses
The only plants that can grow at Arctic Plain
Environmental Concerns Blizzard Snow Storm Avalanche No Plants that grow food
Appalachian Region Made up of many different mountain
ranges(old mountains formed 300 million years ago) Erosions made these mountains into rolling
mountains and hills. Have fertile plateaus and river valleys. Coal, Oil and Gas can be found in
sedimentary rocks.
The Appalachian Regions rivers can provide transportations.
ClimateIt’s climate is affected by two ocean currents: The Labrador Current- Brings cold water south from the Arctic and causes freezing during the winter months The Gulf’s Stream- Bring warm water north from the Caribbean and along the coast of North America
Vegetation It’s heavily forested with
coniferous(evergreens) and deciduous(trees that shed leaves annually)
They have poor mountain soil
Environmental Concerns Mountain top removal Removing air pollution Coal mining
Coastal Plains Lowland area(flat surface) More than half of coastal plains is less
than 30m above sea level. Lots of swamp and marshes
ClimateIn the north: it is cold and snowy winters It is hot and humid summersIn the south: Subtropical climate Mild and warm winters
Vegetation The soils are sandy It has the same vegetation as Canadian
Shield like pines and spruces.
Environmental Concerns Growing population, industrial
development and desire to live in these region is causing destruction to the environment.
Western Cordillera Consist of range after range of
mountains separated by plateaus and valleys
The Rocky Mountains are the most easterly range of mountains in this region Comprised of new mountains (twice as high as Appalachian mountains)
Climate Maritime climate(strongly influenced by
the closeness of a large body of water). Some parts of Western Cordillera are the
wettest regions on earth Winters are above freezing and summers
are cooler than in the interior of the continent.
The west coast is moist and mild.
Vegetation On the moist, windward slopes, evergreens,
such as Douglas fir, western hemlock and western red cedar grow to tremendous size on the lowest slopes
The giant sequoia(The largest tree in the world)
On top of the mountains there are small trees.
On the leeward slopes, grasses and cactuses grow in the dry valleys.
Environmental Concerns Construction and development of land is
causing habitat destruction in the Eco zone.
Industrialization and urbanization is causing water shortages.
Forest fire happens every year.
References
http://allensaxiom.ednet.ns.ca/map%20of%20canada.bmphttp://partner.galileo.org/schools/gibson/4-5_fp/geography/issue/st_lawrence_i/st_lawrencei_1.htmhttp://ca.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100113063354AA1BznJhttp://prezi.com/xdi0uvo7psek/the-intermountain-region/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appalachian_Voiceshttp://www.wiser.org/organization/view/c4de7845c4e40ed291730d3fdbe88dd0http://navleen0.tripod.com/comevisitthemontainecordillera/id3.htmlhttp://environmental-protections.info/environmental-issues/what-environmental-issues-effect-the-interior-plains-of-canada/