GEOGRAPHY OF CANADA
Location:
Canada is located in North America above the United States, spanning a vast area from the
Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west and extending into the Arctic region in
the north. Canada takes up nearly half of the North American continent.
Global Position:
Latitude: Approximately 42° to 83° N
Longitude: Approximately 52° to 141° W
Borders:
Southern Border: Canada shares the longest international land border with the United States,
stretching over 8,891 kilometers (5,525 miles).
Maritime Boundaries: It has maritime boundaries with the U.S. state of Alaska to the
northwest.
Surrounding Bodies of Water:
Atlantic Ocean: Located to the east of Canada.
Pacific Ocean: Located to the west of Canada.
Arctic Ocean: Located to the north of Canada, providing it with extensive coastlines and
maritime access.
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Size:
Canada is the second-largest country in the world after Russia. Its land covers 3.85 million
square miles (9.98 million square kilometers).
Land Area: Approximately 9.1 million square kilometers (about 3.5 million square miles).
Water Area: About 891,163 square kilometers (approximately 343,000 square miles) of the
total area is made up of lakes, rivers, and other bodies of water.
Comparisons:
Canada is larger than the entire continent of Europe and is almost 2.5 times the size of the United
States. It accounts for about 40% of North America's total land area.
Dimensions:
Length: Canada measures about 5,500 kilometers (approximately 3,400 miles) from its
easternmost point (Cape Spear, Newfoundland and Labrador) to its westernmost point (Cape
Kivak, Yukon).
Width: The country spans approximately 4,600 kilometers (about 2,850 miles) from its
northernmost point (Cape Columbia, Nunavut) to its southernmost point (Middle Island,
Ontario).
Population:
As of 2023, the estimated population of Canada is approximately 39.6 million people.
Density: Canada has a low population density, with about 4.2 people per square kilometer
(approximately 10.9 people per square mile), making it one of the least densely populated
countries in the world
Major Urban Areas: The majority of Canada’s population is concentrated in urban areas,
particularly in cities such as:
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a. Toronto: The largest city, with a population of over 2.9 million.
b. Montreal: The second-largest city, with around 1.7 million residents.
c. Vancouver: A major west coast city, with approximately 675,000 residents (over 2.5 million
in the metropolitan area).
Major Regions:
A. Western Canada:
Provinces: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba.
Geographical Features: Known for the Rocky Mountains, coastal rainforests, and
expansive prairies.
Economy: Rich in natural resources like oil, gas, and forestry, with a strong agricultural
sector.
B. Central Canada:
Provinces: Ontario and Quebec.
Geographical Features: Home to the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River,
significant for transportation and trade.
Economy: Acts as Canada’s industrial and financial hub, with agriculture also present in
rural regions.
C. Eastern Canada:
Provinces: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and
Labrador.
Geographical Features: Characterized by rugged coastlines and the Bay of Fundy,
known for having the highest tides in the world.
Economy: Primarily relies on fishing, tourism, and forestry.
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D. Northern Canada:
Territories: Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut.
Geographical Features: Features tundra and an Arctic climate, with significant
wildlife adapted to these conditions.
Economy: Focuses on resource extraction (minerals, oil) and traditional practices of
Indigenous peoples.
Significance:
In North America: Canada is a key player in North America, serving as a major
economic partner with the U.S. and Mexico through trade agreements like USMCA.
Its rich natural resources and commitment to multiculturalism enhance regional
diversity and economic growth. Politically stable and actively engaged in
international affairs, Canada influences regional governance and environmental
initiatives. Its high quality of life and innovative social policies serve as a model for
the region, promoting cooperation and addressing shared challenges.
Area: 9.98 million km2
Population: 3.96 million
Rank by Area: 2nd largest country
Rank by Population: 39th
Geographic Aspects:
1. Physical Geography
2. Human Geography
3. Political Geography
4. Environment Geography
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5. Economic Geography
Physical Geography of Canada:
1. Mountain Ranges:
a. Rocky Mountains:
Location: A major mountain range that extends from British Columbia to New
Mexico in the United States.
Notable Peak: Mount Robson (3,954 m), the highest peak in the Canadian
Rockies.
b. Coast Mountains:
Location: Located in southwestern British Columbia, along the Pacific Coast.
Notable Peaks: Mount Waddington (4,019 m), known for its stunning
landscapes and glacial features. The Coast Mountains are renowned for their
breathtaking scenery and outdoor recreational opportunities.
c. Appalachians:
Location: An older mountain range in Eastern Canada.
Notable Peak: Mount Jacques-Cartier, the highest point in the range at 1,268
meters (4,160 feet), characterized by rolling hills and valleys.
d. Canadian Shield:
Location: A vast geological formation covering eastern and central Canada.
Key Features: Rugged terrain, exposed rock formations, and hills, rich in
minerals and has many lakes and forests.
e. Torngat Mountains:
Location: Located in northern Labrador and part of Quebec.
Notable Peak: Torngat Mountains are home to Mount Thor, which has one of
the world's highest vertical drops at 1,250 meters (4,101 feet).
f. Saint Elias Mountains:
Location: Situated in the Yukon and northern British Columbia.
Notable Key: Mount Logan, the highest mountain in Canada at 5,959 meters
(19,551 feet), known for its glaciers and harsh weather conditions.
g. Selkirk Mountains:
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Location: In southeastern British Columbia, part of the larger Columbia
Mountains.
Notable Peak: Mount Sir Donald and Mount Selkirk known for outdoor
activities like hiking and skiing.
2. Plateaus and Hills:
a. Canadian Shield: Extensive region of ancient rock covering Eastern and
Northern Canada, characterized by rolling hills and rugged terrain.
b. Interior Plateau: Located in British Columbia, includes the Okanagan Valley
and semi-arid regions with rolling hills.
c. Columbia Icefield: In the Canadian Rockies, known for its glaciers and
surrounded by mountain plateaus and valleys.
d. Athabasca Valles: Volcanic plateaus in Western Canada, showcasing rugged
landscapes and lava flows.
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3. Major Rivers:
a. Mackenzie River: The longest river in Canada flows into the Arctic Ocean.
b. St. Lawrence River: It is vital for trade, forms part of the Canada-US border,
c. Connect the Great lakes to the Atlantic Ocean.
d. Fraser River: Runs through British Columbia, one of Canada's major
salmon-bearing rivers.
e. Yukon River: Flows through northern British Columbia, Yukon and Alaska.
f. Columbia River: Originating in British Columbia, it flows into the United
States.
4. Largest Lakes:
a. Great Bear Lake: Located in the Northwest Territories, Canada's largest lake
entirely within its borders.
b. Great Slave Lake: Also in the Northwest Territories, the deepest lake in North
America.
c. Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, Lake Huron, Lake Superior, Lake Michigan
(shared with the United States): Part of the Great Lakes system, collectively
forming the largest freshwater lake group in the world.
d. Lake Winnipeg: Located in Manitoba, Canada's fifth-largest lake.
e. Athabasca Lake: Part of the Athabasca River system in Alberta and
Saskatchewan.
These lakes play a significant role in local ecosystems and economies.
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5. Glaciers:
a. Athabasca Glacier: Located in Jasper National Park, Alberta, one of the
accessible glaciers in North America.
b. Columbia Icefield: Massive Icefield spanning Alberta and British Columbia.
c. Mount Waddington Glacier: In the Coast Mountains of British Columbia, one
of the largest glacier and Canada.
d. Salmon Glacier: Near Stewart, British Columbia.
e. Taku Glacier: Originating in British Columbia, near Juneau, Alaska, one of the
largest and thickest glaciers in the world.
These glaciers are not only important for their scenic beauty but also play crucial
roles in regional hydrology and as indicators of climate change.
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6. Climate Zones:
a. Coastal Climate: Found in Coastal regions of British Columbia and the Atlantic
Provinces (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island), featuring mild
winters and cool summers influenced by oceanic conditions.
b. Continental Climate: Central Canada including Ontario, Quebec and parts of
Manitoba, experiences hot summers and cold winters, with significant snowfall,
creating a distinct seasonal pattern.
c. Arctic Climate: The northern regions endure long, harsh winters and short, cool
summers, characterized by tundra ecosystems that support specialized wildlife
adapted to extreme conditions.
d. Prairie Climate: Southern Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, known for hot
summers, cold winters, and less precipitation compared to other regions.
