Isabella Hanreiter Mr.

Cave Period 6 December 20, 2013

The Beautiful Land of Canada

Up in the north, Canada stands as the 2nd largest country in the world, covering almost 10 million square kilometers from the Atlantic to the Pacific coasts and from its southern border to the North Pole (Climate of Canada). The sights in this lovely land are unbelievable and truly breathtaking, from the gorgeous miles of green forest, to the snowy winters and the Aurora Borealis. With Canada being such a monstrosity of land, the temperature can differentiate depending on which part of Canada you are in. For example, some areas experience spring in April, yet others can expect it much sooner. The temperatures usually range from 34 F to 63 F from late March to early June (Climate of Canada). In spring, the temperatures are still generally cold, all because of Canadas northern position. In addition, in the winter, the temperatures can range from cold to extremely cold, 41 F to -4 F to be exact (Climate of Canada). Because of this extremely cold weather, the amount of snow ranges from about 13.1131.9 inches around the different provinces (Current Results). Furthermore, contrary to popular stereotype, Canada actually gets pretty warm in the summer, with temperatures ranging from 57 F to 82 F, with the highest temperature ever recorded being 99 F (Climate of Canada). Considering all of the different weather patterns, it is safe to say that Canada has all four seasons. Canada has many beautiful and natural landforms to its geography, split up into six clearly defined regions: Cordillera, Interior Plains, Canadian Shield, Great Lakes-St. Lawrence,

Appalachian, and Arctic. For instance, in the Interior Plains section, wheat fields, grain elevators, and remote farmsteads on the rolling prairie are the main landscape. These landscapes cover as many as three provinces, including British Columbia and the Northwest Territories. Of all Canadas natural regions, the Prairies ecozone is the most greatly altered, largely through agriculture development (Canadian Landforms). The Pacific and Western Mountains are considered to be resource-rich and breathtakingly beautiful, compromising British Columbia and the Yukon Territory. This land is blessed with a diverse wildlife and vegetation that is being put under pressure from large population growth, urban development, and resource misuse (Canadian Landforms). Located here is a massive fishing industry where fish are harvested and distributed for sale. Located within half of Canada, the Arctic contains treeless tundra, carpeted with low-lying vegetation of mosses, herbs, and dwarf shrubs; and the Taiga, with sticklike forests of spruce and fir, mixed with wetlands. In the past, European hunters would catch whales, seals, and furs, while today developers look for minerals, gas, and oil. Due to this, it has been concluded that this environment is very fragile and is easy to change and disturb. Indigenous people are currently the only other inhabitants besides wildlife. One of the most popular and famous landmarks of the north is the great Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis. Behind all of the beautiful lights, are actually the collisions between gaseous particles in the Earths atmosphere with charged particles from the Suns atmosphere (Northern Lights). Aurora borealis means dawn of the north and in romans myths, Aurora was the goddess of the dawn. Other cultures like the Inuit of Alaska believed that the lights were the spirits of the animals they hunted (Northern Lights). Along with being in the north, in the south, the Aurora australis has been reported to be a mirror image of the northern one. The best

places to watch the fantastic reactions are in areas with less light, mainly in smaller communities and not cities. Along with the current citizens on Canada, are the indigenous natives. This includes the Indians, Iuits, and Mtis people. Currently, they make up more than 1.3 million (4.4%) of Canadas overall population. They inhabit providences like Ontario, British Columbia, and other urban areas. The Natives began long ago during 10,000-8,000 BC during the ending of the Ice Age. By 1000 BC, the land was as stable and the environmental conditions were similar to the Canada of today. Throughout history and the development of Canada, it is becoming harder for the natives to keep their lands and much like the Native Americans, having to live in different places. However, they are able to keep peace with the Federal Government and make sure that they are receiving the treatment they deserve (First Peoples). While there are many diverse people in Canada, there is a vast majority of wildlife as well. Canada will well known for their American Bison, Arctic Hare, Beaver, Caribou, Gray Wolves, Grizzly Bears, and Moose. Species are becoming at risk by hunters and habitats are being destroyed by oil and gas production. The Canadian Wildlife Foundation is making sure that habitats are taken care of by the government and animals that are endangered are protected from anyone or anything that could risk it going extinct. All in all, Canada is full of breathtaking nature, a cultural history, and many interesting animals, making it a diverse habitat and ecosystem that is sometimes hard to find anywhere else.

Works Cited: "Canadian Landforms." Canadian Geographic. 2013. Canadian Geographic Enterprises. 19 Dec. 2013 "Climate of Canada." Nova Scotia. 2013. Novascotia.com. 18 Dec. 2013 "First Peoples." Canadian Geographic. 2013. Canadian Geographic Enterprises. 19 Dec. 2013 "Northern Lights." Northern Lights Centre. 16 Dec. 2013 Osborn, Liz. "Yearly Snowfall Averages for Canadian Cities." Current Results. 20042013. Current Results Nexus. 19 Dec. 2013