CANADA Welcome to the largest Country in the Western Hemisphere!
The Location of Canada Canada sits just North of the United States and is home to 33 million people. Most of the people (90%) live within 100 miles of the border of the US. The GOLDEN HORSESHOE zone lies around the southern end of Lake Ontario and includes Toronto, Canada s most populated urban area. The Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River provide important trade routes into central Canada from the Atlantic Ocean. Excellent railroads and highways carry goods shipped to either coast. There are 9 major Seaports which help in trade with the rest of the world. Location of the Golden Horseshoe in Ontario. Core area Extended area
Toronto, Ontario The Great Lakes St. Lawrence River
The Climate of Canada Southeastern Part of Canada has a humid Continental Climate. This Zone is between the subtropical climate to the south and subarctic to the north. Warm hot summers Cold winters ~Precipitation can be between 60-100 inches in one year. ~The long growing seasons in south-central Canada allows for canola, wheat and other grains to be produced. In the Pacific Coast the climate is a temperate climate. The ocean cools the summer months and warms the winter air. In a year, the region can get up to 100 inches of rainfall. Northern Canada is much colder and very few Canadians live there. The arctic regions have long, cold winters and short, cool summers.
Canada s Natural Resources Canada is full of rich natural resources: iron, ore, nickel, zinc, copper, gold, lead, molybdenum, potash, diamonds and silver. Many lakes and rivers provide Canada with an excellent source of fish, fresh water, and hydroelectric power. Wonderful and abundant forests provide lumber and a home for wildlife. Coal, oil and natural gas are huge commodities that allow Canadians to be self-sufficient and trade with other countries. Many remote areas have developed because of the natural resources. The railways and highway are important for the miners and farmers to ship their goods across the country.
Zinc used for batteries Iron Ore - 98% of all mined iron ore is used to make steel.
Natural Resources and the Canadian Extraction of the N.Resources: The Canadian Shield is a large area of uplands surrounding the Hudson Bay. Soil is thin and rocky but below lies Canada s rich resources. Minerals: gold, silver, copper, zinc, lead, iron, ore, uranium, and nickel. About 1.5 Million people make their living in the mining industry. Shield Dangers of Mining on the environment: Land is often damaged around the mine site and slag(or leftover rock) is often dumped in the most convenient places. Mining releases Sulfur Dioxide(SO2) in to the air producing acid rain and killing nearby vegetation including animals and water life. The minerals extracted from the Shield are close to many of the Canada s metropolitan cities, that the pollution from the mining flows into the cities. Government has passed new rules to regulate mining in hopes to reduce pollution and save wildlife.
Impact on Trade Location: Canada is located on three oceans, which allows Canada to be a world leader in trade. Canada s nine seaports, many rivers(including the St. Lawrence River), and connection to the Great lakes make shipping and trading more accessible 80% of the goods exported from Canada are shipped into the US, making their location North of us very important. Climate: Canada s climate in the southern regions allow for long, growing seasons. The crops produced are used for trade in order to import the goods needed for Canadians. Natural Resources: ~ Canada s natural Resources allow for much trade to occur with other countries. ~ Oil, natural gas, fish, agricultural products and timber are all traded with others. ~ Canada makes electricity at its hydroelectric power plants. Extra energy not needed is sold to the US. ~ Only 5% of Canada s land is arable but because Canada is so large, 5% gives Canadians a large amount of land to farm.
Acid Rain: Environmental Issues Factories, automobiles, coal-burning power plants, etc are all polluters of the air. When these pollutants mix with the air and clouds, acid rain is created. Like in Germany, acid rain devastates the plants, forests, water and hurts the sea life. Buildings and statues have been worn down from the acid rain. Laws have been passed to limit pollution and encourage other modes of transportation. This is not just Canada s problem, the US must help, 50-75% of the pollution in some southern Canadian areas are from the US. Pollution of the Great Lakes The Great lakes are shared between the US and Canada. Since we depend on the lakes for drinking water, it is essential to keep them clean. By the 1970s, pollution from surrounding factories made areas unsafe for fishing. The US and Canada signed The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement: reducing the level of Phosphorus(a chemical used in pesticides, toothpaste, detergents) Phosphorus causes a rapid increase of algae called an Algal bloom. This causes the death of plant life and animal life. The agreement was renewed in 2002.
Timber Industry in Canada Forests of Canada: Vast forests cover half of Canada & have allowed for this natural resource to serve as an important part of the economy by giving loggers jobs. However, Animals and plants depend on the forests for survival. Forests also provide oxygen to the atmosphere and help filter out pollution. One major concern is Clearcutting. Tree companies clear an entire area leaving treeless gaps in the forest. This results in poor water quality, erosion, and loss of wildlife habitat. Government and industry are working together to try and manage how forests are used. Billions of dollars are being spent on seeds each year to help rebuild the forests and protect wildlife and their habitats.
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