We are the only country born of an ideaWe are the only country born of an idea.. We are not here because of geography or We are not here because of geography or

religion or race or even economics. religion or race or even economics. We are here because everybody We are here because everybody

agrees on an idea. agrees on an idea. Freedom.Freedom.

It’s that idea that is imperishable.”It’s that idea that is imperishable.”

Ken BurnsKen Burns

“Are We Lucky Notes”

The US. And Canada are The US. And Canada are unique in the world, unique in the world, geographically speakinggeographically speaking

A.A. They are both Physically Large, but They are both Physically Large, but NOTNOT overpopulated overpopulated

B.B. The people of both The people of both nations are nations are AFFLUENT AFFLUENT (wealthy.)(wealthy.)

C. C. Economics Economics

Both nations are Productive economically and Industrialized in most regions >

Both are in the 3rd/4th economic sectors.

Canada > mixed Canada > mixed economyeconomy

US > market ecoUS > market eco

Individuals are guaranteed many rights as people, including the right to speak freely and to move around with minimal harassment.

D. Rights

Both nations are productive economically and industrializaed in most regions.

secondary

Primary

Quatenary

Tertiary (Services)

E. GovernmentE. Government US and Canada are US and Canada are

both democratic both democratic countriescountries US has a presidentUS has a president

Canada has a Canada has a prime ministerprime minister

Citizens have a Citizens have a large say in large say in government government processesprocesses

U.S. Congress

Canadian Parliaament

F. Political F. Political stabilitystability

The two nations have a history of Peaceful Co-existence:

The longest unguarded border in the world is the Canadian – US border.

Why don’t we have an immigration issue w/Canada???

Geographic Geographic AdvantagesAdvantages

A. A variety of latitudes provides several climatic regions and growing climates.

B. Good water resources are available such as Great Lakes, St. Lawrence Seaway, major river systems such as Mississippi, Colorado…

C.Productive soils are abundant especially in the Great Plains of the US.

Geographic Geographic AdvantagesAdvantages

• The top soil (what is needed to make plants grow) is deep in most areas.

• Glaciation pushed most of the Eastern Canadian top soil down into the US (Canadian Shield)

D.There are a variety of BIOMES

• Forests, deserts, mountain areas, wetlands

Geographic Geographic AdvantagesAdvantages

E. Abundant Animal Life

• Most species are not depleted by humans yet.

Geographic Geographic AdvantagesAdvantages

     

     

     

F. Abundant mineral resources compared to other world regions

Geographic Geographic AdvantagesAdvantages

Disadvantages – Disadvantages – barriers barriers

A. In the past – Explorers and settlers experienced problems with the terrain: Fall Line Region, Arctic Area, Rockies, wide rivers.

Disadvantages - Disadvantages - distancedistance

B. Transportation Over Such Large Areas – It is difficult to get people and products to the market and to the mall! Both U.S. and Canada built transcontinental railroads in the latter 1800’s. We must build highways, airports, we depend on trucking and trains.)

Ties Between US and Ties Between US and CanadaCanada

A. The US exports more goods to Canada than any other country.

B. Canada ranks as one of the top three countries in imports to the USA.

Canada is big!

I Am Canadian

The U.S. buys more oil from Canada than any other country. Much of it is in the form of “oil sands” shown here.

Ties Between US and Ties Between US and CanadaCanada

C. Canadian firms do more business with US companies than with one another!!

D. US mass culture influences Canadians and Canadian culture influences us: Music, Films, Clothing, Food…

Canadian ‘imports’ to the US

In the end, our countries are often like brothers who quarrel with one another, but when the fight is on, generally stand together.