Canadian Geography and Environmental Science Lecture Notes

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the key geographic regions, socio-political fault lines, physiographic features, and environmental science concepts of Canada.

Western provinces

The group of Canadian provinces consisting of BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.

Prairie provinces

The specific group of Canadian provinces consisting of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.

Regions Across Canada

Canada is a large, diverse country; to understand its in-depth geographies, it is split into regions: Territorial North, British Columbia, Western Canada, Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada.

Population concentration near borders

5 of these regions border the US, highlighting population concentration near that border.

Ocean boundaries

Canada’s ocean boundaries are internationally recognized, except for the 'sector' boundary in Arctic waters north of Alaska and Yukon.

Regional identity

Each of the 6 regions has a unique sense of place and a strong sense of regional identity.

Geographic features of regions

Each region differs in location, physical geography, resources, and historical development, leading to different sets of agendas, and political + economic goals.

Regional conflicts

Each region has some conflicts with other regions and/or federal interests; some degree of compromise is necessary for retaining national unity.

Geography

Examines earth’s physical features, the atmosphere, and the interactions between human activity and these elements.

Regional geography

Involves the study of specific areas within a country or region, examining how physical, atmospheric, and human landscapes differ across these areas.

Regional classification

Regions are classified based on key physical and human traits that separate a large area into distinct regions.

Transition zones

Each region has distinct characteristics that blend with neighboring regions at their edges; the boundaries of each region serve as transition zones.

Benefits of 6 geographic regions

It is a manageable number with balanced geographical areas, population, and economic significance.

Internal sub-regions

Internal sub-regions exist, such as in Ontario (GTA, Golden Horseshoe, S Ontario, E Ontario) and Quebec (Quebec City, Windsor).

Unique physical characteristics

Each region exhibits unique physical characteristics and showcases natural resources.

Statistical data

The structure of regions facilitates the use of statistical data and its connection to regional identity.

Regional economic strengths

The regions highlight the regional economic strengths, as well as the cultural and political diversity.

Core/periphery theory

The core/periphery model, introduced by Friedmann in 1966, describes how population density and prosperity are concentrated in the core region, while lower levels of innovation and economic prosperity exist in the periphery.

Canada's economic anchors

Economic anchors for various regions include: ON automobile industry, QC hydroelectric power, BC forest industry, WC agriculture and oil, AC fisheries, and Terr North megaprojects.

Canada's federation

Canada’s federation has remained united through initiatives like the Canadian Pacific Railway, equalization payments, multiculturalism, pluralism, and universal healthcare.