7th Grade Social Studies - Canada
Canada Western Cities
Western City: Vancouver, British Columbia -Largest City in Western Canada -One of the most ethnically diverse cities in Canada.
Canada History
The aboriginal people of Canada are known as the First Nations and the Inuit. The Inuit also inhabit Arctic regions of Canada, Alaska, and Greenland.
The Territories
(Only the top 3 areas in Canada)
Canada Borders
-The Atlantic Ocean -The Arctic Ocean -The Pacific Ocean
Canada Culture
Canada is multicultural. Strongly influenced by British, French, American, and indigenous cultures. Official Languages: English - 59%, French - 22% Religion: 41% Catholic, 24% No Religion, 20% Protestant Holidays: Canada Day on July 1st - Celebrates the anniversary of when Canada was created within the British Empire. Sport: Hockey is the most popular sport, Lacrosse is Canada's oldest sport and has indigenous (native) origins.
Canada Cities
Capital City: Ottawa, Ontario. Largest City: Toronto, Ontario. Toronto is the 4th most populous city in North America.
Quebec
Capital: Quebec Geography: Low Mountains, Hills, St. Lawrence River Valley Climate: South - Humid Continental, North - Sub arctic to arctic Language: 80% French, 10% English, 10% Other Economy: Manufacturing, banking, high-tech, hydroelectric MIscellaneous: All schools, signs, laws, product labels, etc...must be in French. It is the largest producer of maple syrup in the world.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Capital: St. John's Geography: Hills, mountains, fjords. Climate: Humid continental, subarctic, polar (similar to Alaska) Economy: Mining (Mostly iron ore), fishing, forestry, oil, sealing Language: 97% English Miscellaneous: The closest part of North America to Europe, Newfoundland has a strong traditional folk music tradition, influenced by Ireland.
Ontario
Capital: Toronto Geography: Hills, plains, borders 4 of the 5 great lakes Climate: Humid continental, subarctic Economy: Creates 52% of all things made in Canada Language: English, many smaller groups. Miscellaneous: The capital of Canada, Ottawa, is located in Ontario.
British Columbia
Capital: Victoria Geography: Very mountainous, terrain between Rocky and Coast Mountains Climate: Marine West Coast, highlands, subarctic Economy: Logging/forestry, fishing (especially salmon), TV/movie filming Language: 70% English, 9% Chinese, 4% Punjabi Miscellaneous: Almost 15% of British Columbia is protected. Provincial or National Park land.
Prairie Provinces
Capitals: Manitoba - Winnipeg, Saskatchewan - Regina, Alberta - Edmonton
The Maritimes
Capitals: New Brunswick - Fredericton, Prince Edward Island - Charlottetown, Nova Scotia - Halifax Geography: Appalachian Mountains, rolling hills Climate: Humid continental, similar to Maine Economy: Fishing & Lobstering, tourism, Christmas trees, gypsum, mines, forestry, potatoes Language: English, some French, some Gaelic. Miscellaneous: Nova Scotia's popular symbol is the Bluenose, a fishing schooner. Miscellaneous: New Brunswick & Nova Scotia - The Bay of Fundy has the highest tides in the world.
The Territories
Capitals: Yukon - Whitehorse, Northwest Territory - Yellowknife, Nunavut - Iqaluit Geography: Mostly tundra and permafrost, with tall mountains in the western areas Climate: Subarctic, arctic, polar Economy: Mining (including gold and diamonds) Language: English, Inuktitut. Miscellaneous: Yukon - Settled in 1890's, Nunavut - Alert is the northernmost permanent settlement in the world
Quebec
Colonized by the French is 1608, became the heart of "New France". It was taken over by the British in 1763. It has repeatedly wanted to break away from Canada.
Prairie Provinces
Consists of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba The heart of French and English fur-trading area, the Native Canadians were soon joined by settlers from Eastern Canada, the US, and many European countries. Not wild unlike America's west, mostly due to Mounties. Alberta is very similar to western America (cowboys, rodeos, etc... -The Calgary Stampede is possibly the world's largest rodeo
The Territories
Consists of Yukon, Northwest Territory, Nunavut Yukon was split off from the Northwest Territories due to settlement during the Klondike Gold Rush of the 1890's. Nunavut was created in the 1990's as a separate territory for the Inuit and other Arctic peoples.
Canada Continent
Continent: North America Borders: The US Canada and the US have the longest shared border in the world. Most Canadians live within 200 miles of the US border.
Canada History
Humans have lived in present-day Canada for at least 13000 years, possibly longer.
Ontario
Originally "Upper Canada" and split off from French-speaking "Lower Canada". It was one original of the 4 provinces. It gained importance when many english-speakers moved from Quebec in 1900's. Contains many of Canada's largest cities.
British Columbia
Originally claimed by Spain, Britain, America, and Russia. A fur trading area, it joined Canada in 1871 when the trans-canada railroad was extended west to Vancouver.
Canada
Population: 35 million World Rank Population: 7th Land Area Rank: 2nd
The Maritimes
Settled by the French in the early 1600's. Consists of Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Settled by the vikings in 1000 AD, later rediscovered by the English. Was a separate dominion of Great Britain until 1949, when it joined Canada.
Canada Climate
Temperature in the south: Hot Summers, Cool to Wet Winters Temperature in the north: Sub-Arctic to Arctic.
Canada Economy
World Rank: 19th Currency: Canadian Dollar Important Industries: Transportation equipment, wood and paper products, oil/natural gas. Canada's biggest trading partner is the US.