Canada CRCT Review

1. Canada CRCT Review

2. Physical Features of Canada • North of the US • Surrounded by the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic Oceans • Canadian Shield- covers a large part of eastern and central Canada. Very rich in minerals.

3. Canada’s Location • Largest country in the Western Hemisphere in land area • 2nd largest country in the world • Population of Canada (33 mil.) is small when compared to the size of the country • Most Canadians live in towns. Only 20% live in rural areas. • Most Canadians live within 200 miles of the US border.

4. Canada’s Climate • Canada’s climate keeps most citizens living only in a few areas of the country • Few Canadians live in the subarctic and arctic regions that are in the northern part of the country

5. Natural Resources • Very rich in natural resources, including many types of minerals • Arable land- only 5% of land is arable, but Canada is such a large country that 5% is a lot. • Many lakes and rivers- provide hydroelectricity, transportation, and fishing

6. How Location, Climate, and Natural Resources Affect Trade • Location helps it be a leader in world trade • Has 9 major seaports • 80% of Canada’s exports are sent to the US. • Southern Canada has a long growing season which enables it to have a surplus of grains that they can sell to other nations. • Sells its surplus energy to the United States

7. Environmental Concerns • Acid Rain - Damages property, animals, and wildlife - Government has passed laws requiring factories to reduce the amount of pollution released into the environment. Citizens are encouraged to use public transportation to help also. - 50-75% of the pollution that causes Acid Rain in Canada is from the US, so the two countries must work together.

8. 2)Pollution of the Great Lakes - For many years, factories were dumping waste into the Great Lakes. By the 1970s, the lakes were so polluted that it was no longer safe to swim, fish, or drink water from the Lakes. - The Great Lakes Water Quality agreement was signed between the US and Canada in 1971 and 2002. Countries agreed to continue to clean up the lakes and reduce pollution- especially phosphorus which causes algal bloom

9. 3) Extraction and Use of Natural Resources on the Canadian Shield - The most valuable minerals in Canada are under the Canadian Shield. Mining is a major industry in Canada- 1.5 million Canadians make their living by mining - Mining is messy work. The land around mines can be damaged by heavy machinery, pollution (which causes acid rain), and blasting. - The government is passing new regulations to protect the environment without shutting down the mining industry.

10. 4)The Timber Industry in Canada - Forests cover almost half of Canada - In the past, the lumber industry would clear-cut areas. Replanting trees will help, but the land itself is damaged because it is compacted by heavy machines, making it difficult for new seedlings to grow. - Today logging companies spend millions of dollars each year protecting the environment and planting seedlings

11. Canada’s Government • Has a Constitutional Monarchy. Queen Elizabeth II is their head of state. She has a governor general that represents her in Canada • Has a Parliamentary Democracy. The Prime Minister is the Head of the Government (chief executive) • Legislative Brach: Parliament,made up of 2 houses: Senate and House of Commons. Members of the Senate are appointed. Members of the House of Commons are elected by citizens. These elected officials are called MPs (Members of Parliament)

12. Canada has a federal government. Power is divided between the national government and provincial governments. • Citizens 18 or older may vote • Canadians have many personal freedoms. Canada is one of the world’s freest nations.

13. Canada’s Economy • Canada has a mixed economy. • A good court system protects individual property rights • It only takes a few days to get permission to start your own business

14. Canadian History

15. Original inhabitants • The original Canadians are believed to have arrived from Asia about 12,000 years ago. Their descendents are known as the First Nations.

16. The First Europeans in Canada • France sent explorer Samuel de Champlain to explore the colony of New France (Canada) • In 1608 he set up a trading post in Quebec, on the St. Lawrence River. • The first settlers were looking in finding beaver fur. • Later the British also established settlements in Canada. Samuel de Champlain

17. European colonies in North America Before the French and Indian War

18. The French and Indian War • Eventually the British and French began to compete for territory. • The French and Indian War (1754-1763) was between Great Britain and France for control of North America. (The Indians fought on the side of the French.) • Great Britain won and all of Canada became a British colony

20. Canadian Independence • Unlike the United States, Canada did not fight a war to win independence from Great Britain. • Instead it slowly gained greater freedom and independence through a series of laws. These include: • The British North America Act of 1867 which united the provinces and created a new constitution that allowed Canadians to establish their own Parliament. • The Canada Act of 1982 which broke the final links between the two governments. However they do continue to share the same monarch.

21. History’s lasting effect on Language in Canada • Because of their history, Canada has two official languages – English and French. • 70% of Canadians speak English as their first language. • 20% of Canadians speak French as their first language. Most French speaking Canadians live in Quebec. • Most Canadians are bilingual.

22. History’s lasting effect on Religion in Canada • French settlers were Roman Catholic. • English settlers were non-Catholic Christians, which is called Protestant. • Today, looking at Canada as a whole, approximately 43% of Canadians are Roman Catholic and about 23% are Protestant.

23. Quebec • Because of Quebec’s French heritage, some people would like to see Quebec become a separate country independent of Canada. • The Parti Quebecois is a political party that supports independence. • Twice the people have gone to the polls to vote on whether or not to become independent, but both times they voted to remain part of Canada.