canada’s landforms

Canada’s Landforms

Feb. 21, 2014CGC1D

A landform is any natural feature on the Earth’s

surface.

Which types of landforms exist in

Canada?

White Pine by AJ Casson

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Landforms in Canadian Art

Hillside, Lake Alphonse by William Goodridge Roberts

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No Grass Grows on the Beaten Path by William Kurelek

The Glacier by Arthur Lismer

Canada’s Landforms

Canada is made up of 3 types of landforms: shield, highlands, and lowlands.

Canadian Shield More than half of Canada is covered by the

Shield. Some of the world’s oldest rocks are located

in the Shield near Great Slave Lake (NWT) The Shield is full of rich mineral deposits Very thin soil makes for poor farming Glaciers carved out the landscape – bedrock

(ancient eroded mountains), lakes Ideal for recreation, hydroelectric power

The Interior Plains Ancient seas Ancient coral reefs are

now thousands of metres beneath the surface of the land (OIL!)

Mostly rolling hills Deep, fertile soil:

“Canada’s breadbasket” Also popular for cattle

farms

Great Lakes- St. Lawrence Lowlands

Southwestern and Eastern Ontario Canadas 2 largest cities: Toronto and

Montreal Excellent soil for farming Flat plains, deep river valleys Most well-known feature:

Hudson Bay- Arctic Lowlands

Hudson Bay/ James Bay Low, flat, swampy Ground remains frozen most of

the year

Appalachian Mountains

Canada’s east coast Formed 300 million years

ago Formed when North

America collided with Europe and N. Africa during the formation of Pangaea!

Millions of years of erosion have caused the hills to appear rounded

Innuitian Mountains In Canada’s far north Over 2500 m. high in some points Younger than the Appalachians, not as

eroded (yet) Barren of vegetation

Western Cordillera All along the western edge of N.

America Geologically “young” Several mountain ranges, 700 km

wide Run North to South- an obstacle to

transportation Lightly populated, thrive on tourism Awesome skiing and snowboarding!

Map It!

Label a map of Canada, indicating where all the landform regions are (use map on p. 130

Don’t forget to include the 6 map essentials!