CanadaHistory and CultureHistory and Culture

Modern CanadaModern Canada

Geographic IssuesGeographic Issues

History and Culture

• Settlement of Canada– Vikings—perhaps the first

settlers but become insignificant due to their lack of permanent settlements

– John Cabot—English explorer—explored the coasts of Newfoundland and other small islands.

– Jacques Cartier—French explorer—traveled up the St. Lawrence River as far as Montreal; this was long before the British made claims in New England and is part of the cause for dispute about land later in history.

French Goals in North America (Canada)

• Searched for a Northwest Passage that could cut through North America to help with trade.

• Exploit fishing waters and develop a trade for furs from North America

• Convert Canadian Indians to Roman Catholics

Culture

• French and British influence remain remarkably strong in Canada due to historical significance; however the American influence has taken hold due to the size and strength and (of course) proximity of the United States to Canada.

Canada's Ethnic Makeup

British Origin

French Origin

Other Euro Origin

Inuit/IndigineousPeoples

Other

Inuit People• Inuit is a general term for a

group of culturally similar indigenous peoples inhabiting the Arctic regions of Alaska, Greenland, and Canada.

• Until fairly recent times, there has been a remarkable homogeneity in the culture throughout these areas, which have traditionally relied on fish, marine mammals, and land animals for food, pets, transport, heat, light, clothing, tools, and shelter.

• The Inuit language is grouped under Eskimo-Aleut languages.

Nunavut: Made Solely for the Inuit's

Religions in Canada

Protestant

Roman Catholic

Other

Modern Canada

• Market Economy

• High Standard of Living

• Convenient trading partner with the United States due to similar infrastructure and comparable histories and values

• Economy based on manufacturing and service industries

Canada’s Economy

Canadian NorthCanadian NorthResources: mineral,Resources: mineral,

Diamond, fresh water,Diamond, fresh water,and fossil fuel depositsand fossil fuel deposits

Economic Activities:Economic Activities:Mining, construction,Mining, construction,

Military posts, tourismMilitary posts, tourism

British ColombiaBritish ColombiaResources: forests,Resources: forests,

Fish, mineralFish, mineralEconomic Activites:Economic Activites:

Manufacturing of forestManufacturing of forestProducts, fishing, mining,Products, fishing, mining,

& trade& trade

Quebec & OntarioQuebec & OntarioResources: farmland and mineralsResources: farmland and minerals

Economic Activities: Economic Activities: service industry,service industry,

Manufacturing, farming, miningManufacturing, farming, mining

Prairie ProvincesPrairie ProvincesResources: fertile soils, Resources: fertile soils, Potash deposits, and oilPotash deposits, and oilEconomic Activities: Economic Activities:

wheat farming, wheat farming, Mining, and oil drillingMining, and oil drilling

Atlantic ProvincesAtlantic ProvincesResources: fish, forests, minerals, oilResources: fish, forests, minerals, oil

Economic Activities: fishing, mining, and some Economic Activities: fishing, mining, and some industryindustry

CANADA’S ECONOMY

Government and Politics

• Britain and Canada share their monarchsBritain and Canada share their monarchs

• Canada has a democracy; its governed by a Canada has a democracy; its governed by a prime minister and elected Parliamentprime minister and elected Parliament– Each province has a premier or ministerEach province has a premier or minister

• Canada also has three northern territories Canada also has three northern territories that are not populated enough to categorize that are not populated enough to categorize them as provincesthem as provinces– Yukon Territory, Northwest Territory, and Yukon Territory, Northwest Territory, and

NunavutNunavut

Geographic IssuesGeographic Issues

• NAFTANAFTA—North American Free Trade —North American Free Trade AgreementAgreement

• Potential for American domination is a Potential for American domination is a major concern for Canadiansmajor concern for Canadians

• RegionalismRegionalism—feeling of strong political —feeling of strong political and emotional loyalty to one’s regionand emotional loyalty to one’s region

• SeparatismSeparatism—thought that certain parts —thought that certain parts of a country should be independent of a country should be independent from other areas.from other areas.