4.18


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==4.18 Describe the climate, major physical characteristics, and major natural resources of Canada and explain their relationship to settlement, trade, and the Canadian economy. (G, E) ==

 Climate
Most people think of Canada as constantly in a wintery state. However, while northern Canada better fits that description, southern Canada has the four seasons. Summers are hot and humid. Springs are warm and comfortable. Autumns are cool and has beautiful foliage. Winters are cold and snowy. For more information, click here.

Click here for an interactive climate map of Canada from the National Climate Data and Information Data of Canada office.

Physical Characteristics
Canada is a very large country. Therefore, it's physical characteristics and geography have a wide range. There is everything from mountains and rivers to arctics and prairies. Here is a selection of physical characters found in Canada. For more examples, click here. //Hudson Bay: //
 * Relatively shallow inland sea in Canada
 * The Arctic Ocean is to the north
 * 1500 km long and 830 km wide
 * Contains many small islands
 * Many different rivers flow into the Bay
 * The water in the Hudson Bay and its rivers totals about 3.8 km2
 * Created by glaciers about 7500 years ago
 * Click here for more information

//Lake Winnipeg: //
 * Second largest watershed in Canad
 * 10 largest lake in the world
 * Is in 4 provinces and 4 US states
 * Covers 23,750 km2
 * Major rivers, such as the Red River, flow into the lake
 * The Nelson River is the only river to flow out of the lake
 * The outlet is used for energy production[[image:resourcesforhistoryteachers/mount logan.jpg width="434" height="222" align="right" caption="Mount Logan"]]
 * It is the 3rd largest hydro-electric energy production in the world
 * <span class="wiki_link_new">Click here for more information

//<span class="wiki_link_new">Mount Logan: //
 * <span class="wiki_link_new">Highest point in Canada
 * <span class="wiki_link_new">Second highest point in North America
 * 19,551 feet tall
 * <span class="wiki_link_new">Located in the St Elias Mountains
 * <span class="wiki_link_new">Located in the Kluane National Park and Reserve
 * <span class="wiki_link_new">Named for Sir William Logan
 * <span class="wiki_link_new">Click here for more information

//<span class="wiki_link_new">Grand Banks: //
 * <span class="wiki_link_new">North American continental shelf[[image:resourcesforhistoryteachers/Mackenzie_River_ice_road_-e.jpg width="451" height="277" align="right" caption="Mackenzie River Ice Road"]]
 * <span class="wiki_link_new">Southeast off of Newfoundland
 * <span class="wiki_link_new">Consists of many smaller banks
 * <span class="wiki_link_new">350 miles north to south and 420 miles east to west
 * <span class="wiki_link_new">About 600 feet deep
 * <span class="wiki_link_new">Very popular fishing spot, with a wide variety of fish
 * <span class="wiki_link_new">Click here for more information

//<span class="wiki_link_new">Mackenzie River: //
 * <span class="wiki_link_new">Longest river in Canada
 * <span class="wiki_link_new">Runs 2,635 miles long
 * Drainage system cover 697,000 square miles, which is almost as large as Mexico
 * Located in northwestern Canada
 * Freezes during the winter months
 * Ice melts by mid-May
 * Click here for more information

Click here for a lesson plan on Canada's geography Click here for a youtube video overview of Canada. Shows physical characteristics and cities.

Natural Resources of Canada
As listed in the CIA world factbook:
 * Iron ore
 * Zinc
 * Copper
 * Lead
 * Nickel
 * Silver
 * Fish
 * Timber
 * Wildlife
 * Coal
 * Petroleum
 * Natural gas
 * Hydro power

First Settlements and Trade:
Click here for a brief video on how the fur trade effected Native Americans Click here for the fur trade song Click here for a lesson plan on Canadian pioneers. Click here for a game on life in a Canadian settlement.
 * The first settlements in Canada were located by the Atlantic Ocean or the Hudson Bay
 * This enabled easy trading and transportation
 * The first settlements traded resources like timber, fish, and wildlife
 * Canada had a large beaver population and beaver hats and fur were very popular in France
 * The timber was sent to Great Britain to help with shortages
 * The abundance of fish was used to feed the settlements and were also sold to the US
 * Click here for more information

Today's Economy

 * Canada's economy today is strong
 * Its economy is based strongly in trade
 * GDP was $1.446 trillion in 2012
 * Canada exported $481.7 billion and imported $480.9 billion in 2012
 * Main exports include minerals, fish products, wood products, and natural gas
 * Main imports include machinery, crude oil, electricity, and chemicals
 * Click here for more information