Canada Notes
Physical Geography
-Canada is the second largest country in the world.
-We share several features with Canada: Four of the Great Lakes, The Rocky Mts., The St. Lawrence Seaway and River, and Niagara falls.
-The St. Lawrence Seaway is an important international waterway and trade route that connects the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. The SLS is a system of locks, dams, and canals.
-Lake Superior also connects the Great lakes to the Mississippi River.
-The Canadian Shield covers half of Canada. This is an area of rocky uplands and lakes. Many minerals are found here.
-Canada is almost completely north of Michigan, and therefore colder than upper Michigan.
-Much of northern Canada is covered year round by ice and snow.
-Most of Canada’s population is located in southern Canada, particularly in southern Ontario.
-Windsor, Ontario is actually south of Detroit.
-Canada is rich in resources. Fish, minerals, and forests are abundant.
-The Grand Banks off Newfoundland is one of the world’s richest fishing areas.
-Alberta has most of Canada’s oil and gas reserves.
-Pulp (softened wood fibers) is used to make paper. Canada makes a lot of paper and wood products.
History and Culture
-The first Canadians were Inuit people and Native Americans (called First Nations People).
-The first Europeans to come to Canada were Vikings or Norse.
-The French and British (England) are two main European countries who have migrated to Canada.
-Quebec City was founded by the French. Quebec speaks French today. Most of Canada speaks English.
-French and Indian War (1754). War between the British and the French (the Indians helped the French). The British won this war and took over New France (Quebec) and broke it up into two parts. This war is also called the 7 Years War.
1. Upper Canada: Further south on the upper part (beginning) of the St Lawrence. This was the British part and eventually became Ontario.
2.Lower Canada: Further north on the lower part (end or mouth) of the St Lawrence. This was the French part and eventually became Quebec.
-During the American Revolution, Loyalists (people loyal to England) moved to Canada and settled in Ontario.
-During the War of 1812, the USA tried to invade Canada. The French, British and Native Americans kept us out of the country.
-Lower Canada, led by Louis Papineau (pah pee NOH), revolted against England and lost.
-Upper Canada, led by William Mackenzie, revolted against England and lost.
-Because of the revolts, England decided to give Canada more control over their own government.
-July 1, 1867, The British created the Dominion of Canada which was the first step toward independence. Dominion is a territory of influence. So England now only “influenced” Canada, they no longer completely controlled them. Canada now governed them selves but was still subject to England.
-In Canada they celebrate Dominion Day to honor their peaceful independence from the British.
-The king or queen of England is still the king or queen of Canada TODAY. Queen Elizabeth is the current Queen of Canada.
-Canada is broken up into 10 provinces, which are administrative divisions of a country like states.
-There are also 3 territories with less power and rights than the provinces.
-The Canadians built the transcontinental railroad to connect all parts of Canada, from sea to sea.
-Many Europeans were lured to Canada by the discovery of gold in the Yukon Territory.
-Many Asians came to Canada to work on the railroad.
Canada Today
-Canada is a democracy led by a prime minister. Today it is Stephen Harper.
-Each province has a premier who runs the province, like of governor of a state.
-Quebec has voted several times to break away from Canada and become its own country. It has been defeated every time.
-Canada’s national capital is Ottawa in Ontario. It is located near the border of Ontario and Quebec.