Oh, CanadaCh. 7.1-7.3

History of CanadaEarly on, Canada was was colonized by Vikings.

The Vikings abandoned the region and 500 years passed before the Europeans would discover Canadian land.

In 1497, Giovanni Caboto (John Cabot) landed in Newfoundland and claimed the region for the English.

Early SettlementNative Americans known as Inuits (or Eskimos)

lived throughout the Canadian Arctic and Alaska.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, French explorers claimed most of Canada.

The region was known as New France.

The French and Indian WarAfter the French and Indian War, Britain

captured most Canadian land the French had owned.

The French settlers still remained after Britain gained control of the region.

By the 18th century, Canada had two very distinct cultures

Roman Catholic French Protestant English

Upper and Lower Canada In 1791, the British split Canada into two

provinces Upper Canada: near the Great Lakes, English

speaking Lower Canada: along the St. Lawrence River,

French speaking

Conflict ContinuesBy the 1830s, the conflict between the French

population and English population had not ended.

Major cities began developing including: Quebec City Montreal Toronto

In 1867, the British government passed the British North America Act creating the Dominion of Canada.

Dominion of Canada

The Dominion was a loose confederation, or political union.

The region included: Ontario (Upper Canada) Quebec (Lower Canada) Nova Scotia New Brunswick

The Dominion had its own government, but remained part of the British Empire.

Ottawa became the capital

Canada- a nationCanada became an independent nation in

1931.

Canada has a parliamentary government A system where legislative and executive

branches are combined in a group call parliament. Although independent, Canada still recognizes the

British King or Queen. Parliament consists of an appointed senate and an

elected House of Commons. The majority leader is known as the Prime Minister

(head of the government).

Provinces

Canada is divided into 10 provinces and 3 territories.

The Atlantic Provinces

Prince Edward Island

New Brunswick

Nova Scotia

Newfoundland

These provinces are home to only 8 percent of Canada’s population

These provinces are home to harsh weather and rugged terrain

Coastal benefits (fishing, shipping) draw people to this region

Core ProvincesQuebec

Ontario

These provinces make up the heartland of Canada

Ontario is primarily English speaking

Quebec is primarily French speaking

Ottawa, the capital of Canada, is located in Ontario

This region is the center of economic and political activity in Canada

Prairie Provinces

Manitoba

Saskatchewan

Alberta

Center of the nations agricultural production

These provinces are part of the Great Plains region

This region is responsible for 90 percent of Canada’s natural gas

There is a large amount of European diversity in this region (Germans, Irish, Scandinavians, Ukrainians, and Poles)

Pacific Province and TerritoriesBritish Columbia

3 Territories: Yukon Territory Northwest Territory Nunavut

Most of BC is in the Rocky Mountain Range and most of the economy is built on mining

The territories make up 41 percent of Canada’s land mass

The territories are not highly populated because of harsh weather conditions and rugged land

Economy

Canada is one of the world’s richest countries.

Farming, logging, mining, and fishing are among Canada’s most important industries.

However, 60 percent of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) comes from service industries.

Some of Canada’s service industries include: finance, utilities, transportation, tourism, communication, and real estate.

Historically, most Canadian wealth came from trading. The fur trade was a large part of early Canadian growth.

Dual LanguagesCanada is officially a bilingual country.

The English speakers make up the majority of Canadians.

However, there is a large French speaking minority.

Canada TodayCanada, like the US, has become increasingly

urbanized.

Most Canadians enjoy a relatively high standard of living.

Canada has a 97 percent literacy (reading) rate.

Winter sports like ice hockey and figure skating are popular throughout Canada.