Canadian Geography: Provinces, Territories, and Landmarks

Canadian Geography: A Complete Guide

Canada is the world's second-largest country by land area, spanning from the Atlantic to the Pacific and extending into the Arctic. Understanding Canadian geography is essential for the citizenship test.

Provinces and Territories

Canada has 10 provinces and 3 territories. Each has its own government and unique characteristics.

The 10 Provinces

Atlantic Provinces

• Newfoundland and Labrador: Most easterly province, known for fishing and oil
• Prince Edward Island: Smallest province, known for potatoes and Anne of Green Gables
• Nova Scotia: Known for its maritime history and Halifax, the largest city
• New Brunswick: Only officially bilingual province, known for forests and fishing

Central Canada

• Quebec: Largest province by area, French-speaking, known for Montreal and Quebec City
• Ontario: Most populous province, home to Toronto and Ottawa (capital)

Prairie Provinces

• Manitoba: Known for agriculture and Winnipeg, the capital
• Saskatchewan: Known as the "breadbasket of Canada" for its wheat production
• Alberta: Known for oil and gas, home to Calgary and Edmonton

Western Canada

• British Columbia: Most westerly province, known for mountains and Vancouver

The 3 Territories

• Yukon: Known for the Klondike Gold Rush and Whitehorse
• Northwest Territories: Known for diamonds and Yellowknife
• Nunavut: Newest territory (1999), largest by area, home to many Inuit

Major Cities

Capital Cities

• Ottawa: National capital, located in Ontario
• Toronto: Largest city in Canada, financial center
• Montreal: Second-largest city, major cultural center
• Vancouver: Major Pacific port and cultural center
• Calgary: Energy industry center, home to the Calgary Stampede
• Edmonton: Alberta's capital, known for the West Edmonton Mall
• Winnipeg: Manitoba's capital, transportation hub
• Quebec City: Historic capital of Quebec, UNESCO World Heritage site
• Halifax: Nova Scotia's capital, major Atlantic port
• St. John's: Newfoundland and Labrador's capital, oldest city

Physical Geography

Major Landforms

• Canadian Shield: Ancient rock formation covering much of central and eastern Canada
• Rocky Mountains: Western mountain range extending from British Columbia to Alberta
• Appalachian Mountains: Eastern mountain range in the Atlantic provinces
• Great Plains: Flat, fertile land in the prairie provinces
• Arctic Archipelago: Group of islands in the far north

Major Bodies of Water

• Great Lakes: Five large lakes shared with the United States
• St. Lawrence River: Major waterway connecting the Great Lakes to the Atlantic
• Mackenzie River: Longest river in Canada, flowing through the Northwest Territories
• Fraser River: Major river in British Columbia
• Hudson Bay: Large bay in northern Canada

Climate and Natural Resources

Climate Zones

• Arctic: Very cold, found in the northern territories
• Subarctic: Cold winters, short summers, found in northern provinces
• Continental: Hot summers, cold winters, found in central Canada
• Maritime: Moderate temperatures, found in coastal areas
• Mountain: Varies with elevation, found in western mountains

Natural Resources

• Forests: Canada has vast forests, especially in British Columbia and Quebec
• Minerals: Gold, nickel, copper, diamonds, and many other minerals
• Oil and Gas: Major reserves in Alberta and offshore
• Freshwater: Canada has about 20% of the world's freshwater
• Fisheries: Important industry in Atlantic and Pacific provinces

Important Geographic Facts

• Canada is the world's second-largest country by land area
• Canada has the world's longest coastline
• Canada shares the world's longest international border with the United States
• Canada has more lakes than any other country
• Canada spans six time zones

Study Tips for Geography Questions

When studying Canadian geography:

• Learn the provinces and territories in order from east to west
• Memorize capital cities and major cities
• Understand the characteristics of each region
• Learn about major natural features and their significance
• Know the climate and natural resources of different areas

Practice Questions

Test your knowledge with these sample questions:

1. What is the capital of Canada?
2. How many provinces does Canada have?
3. Which province is the largest by area?
4. What are the three territories of Canada?
5. Which province is known as the "breadbasket of Canada"?