The words of its national motto “from sea to sea” (in Latin “mari usque ad mare”) vividly characterize it. This is the only country whose coastal borders are washed by three oceans: the Arctic, Pacific and Atlantic. Canada is the second largest country in the world by area; it is distinguished by its diversity, diversity, diversity of landscapes and natural areas.
General information
Canada by shape government system- federal state. It consists of 10 provinces united by the Canadian constitution (Quebec, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Lambrador, New Brunswick, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island) and 3 territories (Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut). The capital of Canada, Ottawa, is located in the province of Ontario. The official state languages of the country are English and French.
Dream country
Geographical position Stretching across several natural zones from the Arctic deserts occupying almost all of Greenland and the Arctic Archipelago to the forest-steppes and steppes covering the Great Plains, Canada is defined by the diversity and richness of its natural conditions and resources. This served as a favorable factor in the development of the country's economic condition. And the presence of access to the Pacific and Atlantic oceans favored an increase in its status in the system international relations and in key international organizations nearby regions.
High standard of living, well-developed economy, education and healthcare systems, clean and safe modern cities, a bunch of different cultures- this is not the entire list of advantages that distinguish Canada. In 1992, the UN declared it “the most attractive country in which to live.”
Physico-geographical location of Canada
Based on its physical-geographical location, Canada can be divided into five parts: the Appalachian-Acadian region (southeast), the Canadian Shield, the Interior Lowlands, the Great Plains (in the center) and the Cordillera (to the west).
Lands of Canada complex geological structure with rocks of the most different ages. The young Cordilleras are located near the ancient Canadian Shield.
More than half of the country is occupied by the Laurentian Plateau, which is part of the Canadian Shield. It still bears traces of recent glaciation: smooth rocks, moraines, chains of lakes. Plateau gently undulating plain.
This is the most unsuitable part of the country for human habitation, but has huge mineral reserves.
Both from the north and from the south, the Laurentian Plateau is surrounded by extensive lowlands Interior Plains, the Laurentian Lowlands and the Hudson Strait Lowlands. They represent a typical picture of the Canadian landscape and it is they who brought fame to Canada as a spacious country with favorable climatic and geographical conditions.
The prairies are mostly located in southern Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, which are called the prairie provinces. The Laurentian Lowland is in favorable climatic conditions temperate climate and fertile soil. The economic center of the country is located here.
The Appalachian Mountains are located in southeastern Canada. They are rich in minerals. The average height of the mountain range does not exceed 600 m. To the northwest of the Appalachian Mountains lies the Canadian Shield, consisting mainly of granites and gneisses. There are many swamps, lakes, and rapids rivers. On the west and south, the Canadian Shield is bordered by a chain of lakes from the Great Bear to the Great Lakes.
To the west of the Canadian Shield are the Great Plains. Their southern part Internal lowlands is the agricultural center of the country, 75% of all cultivated land. On the Pacific coast, the Cordillera stretches for 2.5 thousand km from north to south and 750 km from west to east. In the east they are called the Rocky Mountains, in the west they are called the Coast Range. The average height of the mountains is 2-3 thousand m above sea level.
Although most of the land is occupied by lakes and forested lowlands, Canada also has mountain ranges, plains and even a small desert. The Great Plains, or prairies, cover Manitoba, Saskatchewan and parts of Alberta. Now this is the main agricultural land of the country.
Western Canada is known for its Rocky Mountains, while the east is home to the country's most important cities, as well as Niagara Falls. The Canadian Shield, an ancient mountainous region formed more than 2.5 billion years ago, covers much of the country's north. In the Arctic region you can only find tundra, which further north is divided into islands covered with ice almost all year round.
The highest point in Canada is Mount Logan at 5950 m above sea level. The main natural resources are nickel, zinc, copper, gold, lead, molybdenum, potash, silver, coal, oil, and natural gas.
Only 5% of Canada's land area is suitable for cultivation. Another 3% of the land is used for pasture. Forests and forest plantations occupy 54% of Canada's total territory. The irrigated land is only 7100 sq. km.
The video tutorial allows you to get an interesting and detailed information about Canada. From the lesson you will receive a complete description of Canada, the features of its geographical location and economy. The teacher will tell you in detail about national composition country, the standard of living of the population.
Subject: North America
Lesson: Canada. Socio-economic characteristics
Canada- a state in North America, it ranks second in the world in terms of area (almost 10 million sq. km) after Russia. It is washed by the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic oceans, bordered by the USA in the south and northwest, Denmark (Greenland) in the northeast and France (Saint-Pierre and Miquelon) in the east. Canada's border with the United States is the longest shared border in the world. In addition, the total length coastline Canada ranks first in the world. The capital is Ottawa.
In terms of its level of development, the country is one of the highly developed countries in the world; it is a member of numerous organizations, including a member of the G7.
The economic and geographical position of Canada is determined, first of all, by the fact that it has access to three oceans and borders the United States.
Canada is part of the Commonwealth, so the English monarch is nominally considered the head of the country, although in reality Canada is an independent state.
Canada is a federal state consisting of 10 provinces and 3 territories. The province with a predominant French-speaking population is Quebec, the rest are predominantly English-speaking provinces, also called "English Canada" in comparison with French-speaking Quebec. As one of nine predominantly English-speaking provinces, New Brunswick is the only officially bilingual Canadian province. Yukon Territory is officially bilingual (English and French), while the Northwest Territories and Nunavut Territory recognize 11 and 4 official languages respectively. Canada is officially a bilingual country.
Rice. 2. Map of administrative divisions of Canada ()
The population of Canada at the beginning of the year is more than 34 million people. Despite its large area, approximately 3/4 of Canada's population lives within 160 km of the US border. Canada is a relatively sparsely populated country on the globe: per 1 sq. km there are 3.4 people. Most population growth is due to immigration.
Canada is a very diverse country from an ethnic point of view. The majority of the population is English-Canadian and French-Canadian. A large proportion of Irish, Scots, Italians, Chinese, Russians.
Indigenous people of Canada:
1. Indians.
2. Eskimos.
3. Indian-European mestizos.
The most common religions in the country are Protestantism and Catholicism.
HDI leaders by year (according to Wikipedia and UNDP)
2013 - Norway
2011 - Norway
2010 - Norway
2009 - Norway
2008 - Iceland
2007 - Iceland
2006 - Norway
2005 - Norway
2004 - Norway
2003 - Norway
2002 - Norway
2001 - Norway
2000 - Canada
1999 - Canada
1998 - Canada
1997 - Canada
1996 - Canada
1995 - Canada
1994 - Canada
1993 - Japan
1992 - Canada
1991 - Japan
1990 - Canada
1985 - Canada
1980 - Switzerland
Currently, Canada ranks 10th in the ranking of countries in terms of living standards. Some people believe that Canada is the most favorable country for people to live in.
Largest cities in Canada(more than 1 million people (Ottawa and Vancouver - together with their suburbs)):
2. Montreal
3. Vancouver
4. Calgary
Canada is one of the richest natural resources countries
The country ranks 3rd in terms of forest resources (after Russia and Brazil). More than 50% of Canada is covered with coniferous forests. The country occupies a leading position in the production of paper and lumber, and 1st place in the production of newsprint.
Canada's soil resources are also rich; favorable agroclimatic resources in the southern regions of the country; huge water resources (10% of the world's fresh water reserves).
In terms of the quantity and variety of its mineral resources, Canada is one of the great mining countries.
Rice. 4. Structure of the Canadian mining industry ()
The most important feature of Canada's mining industry is its export orientation: more than 4/5 of all mining industry products are supplied to the world market. Canada is the world's leading exporter of uranium, nickel, copper, zinc, titanium, molybdenum, silver, platinum, asbestos, and potassium salts. In value terms, about 60% of Canada's mineral exports go to the United States, 25% to Western Europe and 10% to Japan.
More than 4/5 of all reserves of potassium salts of Western countries, about 2/3 of reserves of nickel and zinc, 2/5 of lead and uranium reserves, about 1/3 of reserves of iron and copper ore, titanium, and tungsten are concentrated in the depths of the country. To this list we can add quite large oil reserves and natural gas, coal, cobalt, platinum, gold, silver, asbestos and some other minerals.
This diversity is explained primarily by the peculiarities of the geological and tectonic structure of Canada. Basins and deposits of iron, copper, nickel, cobalt ores, gold, platinum, and uranium are genetically associated primarily with the Precambrian Canadian Shield, which is composed of crystalline rocks exposed to the surface. Occupying an area of 4.6 million square meters. km, it stretches from the Canadian Arctic Archipelago to the Great Lakes and the river. St. Lawrence. In the west of the country, where there is mainly an area of Mesozoic folding and the Cordillera belt passes, basins and deposits of copper, polymetallic, molybdenum, tungsten, and mercury ores are especially common. And oil, gas, coal basins on a tectonic map of Canada should be sought within the Cordillera foredeep and smaller intermountain troughs.
Almost all sectors of the economy have developed in Canada. Canada's fuel and energy complex is one of the most developed in the world. Hydroelectric power plants are leaders in electricity generation.
The main areas of oil and natural gas production are in the western provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia. The largest deposits are located here - Pembina, Redwater, Zama.
Mechanical engineering accounts for less than 30% of manufacturing output and employment, which is lower than in other developed countries. The main industry is transport engineering (production of cars, airplanes, diesel locomotives, ships, snowmobiles), dominated by American capital, located in the southern part of the province of Ontario. Agricultural engineering, production of power equipment, equipment for the mining and forestry industries are also developed. The machine tool industry has received little development. The main centers of mechanical engineering are Toronto, Montreal, Windsor, Hamilton, Ottawa, Halifax, Vancouver.
Production in the iron and steel industry, which is in the hands of national capital, has stabilized. Leading metallurgical centers are located in the Lake District - Hamilton, Welland, Sault Ste. Marie, as well as along the Atlantic coast of the city of Sidney.
In the non-ferrous metallurgy, the positions of American and British capital are strong. The smelting of non-ferrous metals - especially copper, nickel and aluminum - has reached large volumes. The world's largest centers included Sudbury, Thompson, Sullivan, Arvida, Kitimat and Port Colborne. Most enterprises use local raw materials. Large-scale aluminum production has been created using imported raw materials.
Canada has a developed oil refining industry. The most important centers are in Montreal, Sarnia, Vancouver and Edmonton.
The chemical industry and, in particular, the production of sulfuric acid are well developed, mineral fertilizers, synthetic rubber, plastics. The main centers of the chemical industry are Montreal, Toronto, Niagara-Faulay.
The timber and paper industry uses the richest forest resources. Canada ranks 5th in timber harvesting and 3rd in the world in lumber and paper production (provinces: Quebec, Ontario). The country's role in the export of lumber and paper is even more significant: Canada is a world leader. 2/3 of the paper and pulp production is located in the east, near the hydroelectric power station - on the St. Lawrence River. Large timber and paper mills are also located in the taiga zone in the north of the Steppe provinces and especially in British Columbia, where 2/3 of the sawmill industry is concentrated.
The food, clothing and textile industries are also well developed, with major centers in Montreal, Toronto and Quebec City.
Agriculture is a highly developed sector of the Canadian economy. It is characteristic of him high level marketability, mechanization and specialization of production. About 4/5 of the area of agricultural land is concentrated in large farms, 50 hectares or more in size. A significant part of farms is an integral part of large agribusiness. Agricultural products on farms are produced on the basis of contracts with enterprises of the largest monopolies Food Industry. Central Canada is distinguished primarily by industries that meet the needs of the urban population: suburban vegetable growing, horticulture, dairy farming and poultry farming.
Rice. 5. Dairy products of Canada ()
At the end of the last century, the steppe provinces began to turn into one of the leading areas of grain specialization. And currently, grain cultivation determines Canada's specialization in the global agricultural market.
Fisheries, which develop on the basis of the rich biological resources of the coastal waters of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, are also important. Inland fishing, like hunting, plays a lesser role.
Canada is one of the world's leading exporters of agricultural products.
Homework
Topic 9, P. 3
1. What are the features of Canada's geographic location?
2. Tell us about the Canadian economy.
Bibliography
Main
1. Geography. A basic level of. 10-11 grades: Textbook for educational institutions / A.P. Kuznetsov, E.V. Kim. - 3rd ed., stereotype. - M.: Bustard, 2012. - 367 p.
2. Economic and social geography of the world: Textbook. for 10th grade educational institutions / V.P. Maksakovsky. - 13th ed. - M.: Education, JSC "Moscow Textbooks", 2005. - 400 p.
3. Atlas with set contour maps for 10th grade. Economic and social geography of the world. - Omsk: FSUE "Omsk Cartographic Factory", 2012. - 76 p.
Additional
1. Economic and social geography of Russia: Textbook for universities / Ed. prof. A.T. Khrushchev. - M.: Bustard, 2001. - 672 p.: ill., map.: color. on
2. Kulyshev Yu.A. Canada. - M.: Mysl, 1989. - 144 p. - (At the world map). - 100,000 copies.
3. Nokhrin I.M. Social and political thought of Canada and the formation of national identity (last third of the 19th - early 20th centuries). - Huntsville: Altaspera Publishing & Literary Agency, 2012. - 232 p.
Encyclopedias, dictionaries, reference books and statistical collections
1. Geography: a reference book for high school students and applicants to universities. - 2nd ed., rev. and revision - M.: AST-PRESS SCHOOL, 2008. - 656 p.
Literature for preparing for the State Exam and the Unified State Exam
1. Thematic control in geography. Economic and social geography of the world. 10th grade / E.M. Ambartsumova. - M.: Intellect-Center, 2009. - 80 p.
2. The most complete edition typical options real tasks of the Unified State Exam: 2010. Geography / Comp. Yu.A. Solovyova. - M.: Astrel, 2010. - 221 p.
3. The optimal bank of tasks for preparing students. Single State exam 2012. Geography: Tutorial/ Comp. EM. Ambartsumova, S.E. Dyukova. - M.: Intellect-Center, 2012. - 256 p.
4. The most complete edition of standard versions of real Unified State Examination tasks: 2010. Geography / Comp. Yu.A. Solovyova. - M.: AST: Astrel, 2010. - 223 p.
5. Geography. Diagnostic work in the format of the Unified State Exam 2011. - M.: MTsNMO, 2011. - 72 p.
6. Unified State Exam 2010. Geography. Collection of tasks / Yu.A. Solovyova. - M.: Eksmo, 2009. - 272 p.
7. Geography tests: 10th grade: to the textbook by V.P. Maksakovsky “Economic and social geography of the world. 10th grade” / E.V. Baranchikov. - 2nd ed., stereotype. - M.: Publishing house "Exam", 2009. - 94 p.
8. The most complete edition of standard versions of real Unified State Examination tasks: 2009. Geography / Comp. Yu.A. Solovyova. - M.: AST: Astrel, 2009. - 250 p.
9. Unified State Exam 2009. Geography. Universal materials for training students / FIPI - M.: Intellect-Center, 2009. - 240 p.
10. Unified State Exam 2010. Geography: thematic training tasks / O.V. Chicherina, Yu.A. Solovyova. - M.: Eksmo, 2009. - 144 p.
11. Unified State Exam 2012. Geography: Model exam options: 31 options / Ed. V.V. Barabanova. - M.: National education, 2011. - 288 p.
12. Unified State Exam 2011. Geography: Standard exam options: 31 options / Ed. V.V. Barabanova. - M.: National Education, 2010. - 280 p.
Materials on the Internet
1. Federal Institute of Pedagogical Measurements ( ).
2. Federal portal Russian Education ().
Canada is officially a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy, in fact it is a federal state located on the North American mainland, borders the United States in the south and northwest (Alaska territory), and has a maritime border with Greenland in Atlantic Ocean and the French territories of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon in Cabot Sound, south of Newfoundland.
The country is part of the British Commonwealth: Queen Elizabeth II Windsor is formally the head of state. Again, formally its representative in the country is the Governor-General. Rideau Hall and the Quebec Fortress are his residences.
Today, David Lloyd Johnson has served as Governor General since 2010. Legislative functions are performed by Parliament, which also includes the House of Commons, the Senate and Queen Elizabeth. The representative of the party who receives the most votes in the elections becomes the prime minister.
Geographical position
The capital of the country is Ottawa. The largest cities, as well as cultural and economic centers, include Montreal, Calgary, Toronto and Vancouver.
This country is technically and industrially developed, and also has a diversified economy that is based on trade (most imports go to the United States, this is also facilitated by various trade agreements (Canada-US Free Trade Agreement, car contract and the North American Free Trade Agreement) and natural resources.
Canada is divided into 13 provinces (Ontario, Nova Scotia, Quebec, Prince Edward Island, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, Newfoundler and Labrador) and 3 territories (Nunavut, Yukon, Northwest Territories).
One of Canada's mottos is from sea to sea. Firstly, the country is washed by three oceans: the Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic. Vancouver is considered the largest Canadian port.
The country's largest inland port is Montreal. Canada is a country of rivers and lakes. The largest are the Mackenzie, Fraser, Nelson, Columbia, St. John and St. Lawrence rivers and the Great Lakes Ontario, Michigan, Huron, Erie, Superior, Great Bear Lake and Great Slave Lake.
Climate
Canada's climate is characterized by cold winter and cool, windy, humid summers due to winds from the North Arctic Ocean and the Rocky Mountains.
But the climate varies depending on the region of the country: in the north it is polar, in the prairie areas it is milder and more temperate with frequent temperature fluctuations, and in the west the weather in winter is rainy and mild, and the climate is maritime due to the proximity of the Pacific Ocean, in the south there are moderate summers and continental climate.
Water and forest resources
In addition to the water resources that serve as the source of the country's hydropower, which is also facilitated by sparsely populated areas (the province of Quebec is the center of the country's hydropower, and the Churchill, La Grande and Manicouagan rivers are the centers of powerful dams), Canada is rich in other minerals.
Various types of forests help Canada support its timber industry and import it to other countries. On the territory of the state there are deposits of: potassium salts, oil, uranium, cobalt, asbestos, sulfur, natural gas, zinc ores, platinum group metals, gold, silver, copper ore and lead ores.
Characteristics of the Canadian economy
Agriculture is also thriving in Canada. Due to the diversity of the climate, the types of soils are also different: in Ontario and British Columbia there is vegetable gardening, Quebec is a dairy center, in the west grain crops are grown, and Prince Edward Island grows most of the country's potatoes.
1. Using the map of world religions, determine which religions adherents live in Canada. Explain the distribution of areas of these religions.
The overwhelming majority of Canada's population are Christians (mainly Catholics and Protestants), since historically Canada's population was largely represented by people from Western Europe: Catholic France and Protestant England.
2. What are the features of Canada's geographic location?
Canada is the only country that is washed by the waters of three oceans at once: the Arctic, Atlantic and Pacific, and therefore it has the longest coastline in the world. In the south, Canada borders on America, and in the north, thanks to the large number of polar islands (Victoria, Baffin Island, Newfoundland, Devon, Ellesmere, Banks and others), they go 800 kilometers deeper into the Arctic Circle.
3. How does Canada resemble Russia?
Russia and Canada have long been called twin countries. These two countries are the largest in terms of territory modern world. By natural conditions and wealth of resources, Canada has many similarities with our country, and the natural landscapes are very reminiscent of Russian ones. Although our common border is not even a line, but simply a geographical point - North Pole, where the conventional boundaries of the Arctic polar sectors of both countries meet, Russia and Canada are considered neighboring countries. In the world, only Russia and Canada have vast undeveloped territories where there are many natural resources, but difficult climatic conditions.
4. Choose the correct answers:
1) Distinctive feature Canada's economy plays a large role in the extractive industries and primary processing of raw materials.
2) In the structure of the manufacturing industry, the leading positions are occupied by the chemical and light industries.
3) Pipeline transport has received great development in Canada.
4) Characteristic Canada - uneven distribution of population and economy.
6. What are the similarities and differences between the forms of government in the USA and Canada?
The USA and Canada are federal states, but Canada is a constitutional monarchy (kingdom) with a parliamentary system, its monarch is the monarch of the British Commonwealth of Nations, and the USA is a presidential republic.
7. What are the features ethnic composition USA and Canada? What are the similarities between them?
The populations of the USA and Canada are represented by a very wide ethnic spectrum, but the national backbone of both countries is formed by immigrants from Western European countries.
8. Name the branches of international economic specialization in the USA and Canada.
Canada is a highly developed country, although its face in the world economy is determined by its specialization in the production and export of mining, forestry, energy, Agriculture. The face of the United States in the world economy is the automotive industry, electronics, electrical engineering, and aerospace industry.
9. One of the provinces of Canada is called the “bread basket”. What province is this? Why is she called that?
The province of Saskatchewan is called the bread basket of Canada. It is famous for its prairies and wheat fields. Saskatchewan is located in the western part of the country and borders Manitoba, Alberta, the Northwest Territories and the United States.
10. There is a common expression among Canadians: “Canada has too little history and too much geography.” How do you understand it? Can it also be attributed to Australia?
Canada and Australia are young states. They are former British colonies and cannot boast of a rich history, but their territories are huge. Australia occupies an entire continent, and Canada is the second largest country in the world.
