Canada’s natural environments

There are distinct characteristics that can be used to describe the natural environment in different areas of Canada.

Types of regions

Explore the following maps. They are both maps of Canada, but they are not the same. What do you notice about the divisions on each map?

Press each tab to access the maps.

Political regions

Map one represents the political regions of Canada. This means that the map is divided by the borders between Canada’s provinces and territories.

A political region is an area of land that has their own government and leader. Ontario is an example of a political region. Can you name all the provinces and territories?

Physical regions

Map two represents the physical regions of Canada. This means that the map is divided by the naturally formed areas of Canada that have a distinct set of physical features.

A physical region is an area of land that has common landforms, such as mountains, plains, or valleys. The Canadian Shield is an example of a physical region.

Maps representing more than one type of region

Let’s explore the following map representing both the political and the physical regions of Canada.

The Arctic Lands are the most northern physical region in Canada. It covers the northern parts of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, as well as a small part of northern Yukon. The Western Cordillera is the most western physical region in Canada. It covers most of the Yukon and British Columbia, as well as western parts of the Northwest Territories and Alberta. The Interior Plains are the second most western physical region in Canada. It covers central Northwest Territories, most of Alberta, the southern halves of Saskatchewan and Manitoba, as well as small parts of eastern Yukon and British Columbia, and western Nunavut. The Canadian Shield is the central physical region in Canada. It covers most of Quebec, Labrador, and northern Ontario, the northern halves of Saskatchewan and Manitoba, as well as the southeastern parts of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. The Hudson Bay Lowlands is a central physical region in Canada that is surrounded by the Canadian Shield. It covers part of northern Ontario, as well as small parts of southern Nunavut, northeastern Manitoba, and western Quebec. The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Lowlands is the most southern physical region in Canada. It covers southern Ontario, as well as small parts of southern Quebec and western Newfoundland. The Appalachian Region is the most eastern physical region in Canada. It covers New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, most of Newfoundland, as well as a small part of eastern Quebec.

• Are the political regions and physical regions of Canada the same?
• Which physical regions are located in Ontario?

Record your ideas orally, digitally, in print, or in a method of your choice.

Press Suggested Answer to access possible answers.

Suggested Answer

The physical regions of Canada

Explore the following accordion of the Canada’s physical regions.

Press each tab to access an image and description of that physical region.

• What characteristics define a physical region?
• What are the differences in climate between the east and west coasts of Canada?

Record your ideas orally, digitally, in print or in a method of your choice.

Sharing information about Canada’s physical regions

Now that we have learned about the physical regions of Canada, choose one physical region to share information about.

Think of a creative way to present information about the physical region you have chosen. You can create:

Use the information about Canada’s physical regions from this learning activity to make your presentation. You can also do some independent research. Begin your search by exploring government websites, the Canadian Encyclopedia, or resources created by the Royal Canadian Geographical Society.

Reflection

As you read through these descriptions, which sentence best describes how you are feeling about your understanding of this learning activity? Press the button that is beside this sentence.

Now, record your ideas using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.