Let's Explore: Canada's Physical Geography

Canada is the second-largest country in the world, and has the longest coastline in the world. It also has more surface area covered by lakes than any other country. In this class we will travel from coast to coast and learn about Canada's seven physiographic regions: the Canadian Shield, the interior plains, the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Lowlands, the Appalachian region, the Western Cordillera, Hudson Bay Lowlands and the Arctic Archipelago.

Each class students will receive a handout that they may bring to class to enhance their learning if they wish. 

This class will cover the physiographic regions and their characteristics. We will also examine examples of each region. 

At the end of the class students will be able to appreciate:

• the variety and abundance of natural resources in Canada

•the diversity of geographic phenomena in Canada

•the environmental significance of national parks and protected areas in Canada

•the land sustains communities and the diverse ways that people have of living with the land

•the influence of the natural environment on the growth and development of Canada

•the geographic vastness of Canada

• demonstrate care and concern for the environment through their choices and actions

• What are the major geographical regions, landforms and bodies of water in Canada?

• How do landforms, bodies of water and natural resources affect the quality of life in Canada?

• What are the differences and similarities among the geographical regions of Canada?

• How is the geographical region they live in different from other regions of Canada?

• What are the factors that determine climate in the diverse geographical regions of Canada (e.g., latitude, water, mountains)? (LPP)

• How are Canada’s national parks and protected areas important to the sustainability of Canada’s natural environment?

• In what ways do natural resources and the physical geography of a region determine the establishment of communities?

• How are natural resources used, exchanged and conserved in Canada?

• Whose responsibility should it be to ensure the preservation of Canada’s national parks and protected areas?