Minds On
Interactions between governments
Just like people, governments interact and build relationships with other nations for many reasons. The global community is like a large neighbourhood of countries, all with different relationships with each other. Being in a community with others brings different responsibilities too.
Consider the importance of these interactions and relationships.
Why might countries build relationships and interact with each other?
Canada builds relationships with countries worldwide for many reasons. It has trade agreements with over 40 countries, exchanging goods like auto parts, machinery, oil, and gas for electronics, refined oil, and food.
Canada has close ties with nearby countries for reasons like military support. Intergovernmental groups like the United Nations unite countries with shared goals. Canada helps other countries during disasters, wars, and emergencies, and supports initiatives for better education, health care, and food.
Identify some countries Canada interacts with. Where are they located?
Record your ideas by completing the Canada’s Interactions with Other Nations mind map in your notebook or using the following fillable activity document. You can also record your thoughts using another method of your choice.
Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Canada’s Interactions with Other Nations.
Action
Exploring interactions using a map
Lines of latitude
Lines of latitude are imaginary rings that measure distance from the equator in degrees. Measurements are always followed by N(North) or S (South). There are 180 lines of latitude, each line equalling 1 degree N or S of the equator.
Press ‘North and South Latitude’ to reveal more information about latitude lines.
North latitude: Are latitude lines north of the equator, and represented by an N (for example, 30 degrees N).
South latitude: Are latitude lines south of the equator, and represented by an S (for example, 30 degrees S).
North and South latitude lines are parallel to each other and travel in an east/west direction. Each line is numbered according to how far it is away from the equator.
On a map, the North Pole is labelled as 90 degrees North, and the South Pole is labelled at 90 degrees South.
Description
This is an image of the Earth that is divided by the lines of latitude, which travel horizontally. The equator is labelled at 0 degrees latitude. The North Pole is labelled as 90 degrees N, and the South Pole is labelled as 90 degrees S. The line of latitude labelled as 30 degrees N intersects with countries in Northern Africa and Mexico, as well as other countries not provided in the image. The line of latitude at 60 degrees N intersects with parts of Canada and the United States, as well as the United Kingdom and other countries not provided in the image. The line at 15 degrees S intersects with parts of Brazil, Bolivia, and Peru, as well as other countries not provided. The latitude line at 45 degrees S intersects with Argentina and Chile, as well as other countries not provided.
30°N latitude passes through Northern Africa, Mexico, and other countries. 60°N latitude passes through Canada, the US, the UK, and others. 15°S latitude passes through Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, and others. 45°S latitude passes through Argentina, Chile, and others.
Lines of longitude
The lines that travel up and down on a map are the lines of longitude. These lines are also called meridians.
The prime meridian is a vertical line that divides the Earth into Eastern and Western Hemispheres. It's the 0 point of longitude, with each line numbered by its distance from it in degrees. The Earth measures 360 degrees around.
The prime meridian passes through the UK, France, and Spain in Europe, and African countries, including Algeria and Ghana. In the Southern Hemisphere, it crosses only Antarctica.
Press ‘East and West Longitude’ to reveal more information about latitude lines.
East longitude: Longitude lines east of the prime meridian are represented by an E (for example, 30 degrees E).
West longitude: Longitude lines west of the prime meridian are represented by a W (for example, 30 degrees W).
These lines meet at the poles and travel in a north/south direction.
Description
This is an image of the Earth that is divided by the lines of longitude, which travel vertically. The prime meridian is labelled at 0 degrees. The longitude line at 15 degrees W intersects with the western tip of Africa. The longitude line at 45 degrees W intersects with parts of Brazil and the line at 30 degrees E intersects with parts of Africa and Europe. The line of longitude at 60 degrees E intersects at parts of Asia.
Longitude lines intersect at key points: 15° W at Africa's western tip, 45° W at Brazil, and 30° E at Africa and Europe.
Locating cities on a map
Canada has interrelationships with many countries and cities around the world.
Canada trades goods and services with other countries to get what it needs. This trading helps the economy and provides goods Canada can't produce itself. The United States is Canada's closest and strongest trading partner.
Canada exports crude oil and cars to the United States. This trade is very important to our economy. This means changes in the US economy affect Canada.
We also trade with other countries.
The following map shows some of the capital cities of countries that Canada trades with.
Can you identify the capital city of each country as well as some goods Canada receives from them?
Description
An image of a world map that indicates the capital cities and goods Canada imports with. USA, England, China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, and India are all the countries that are listed on this map.
Explore the following cities and locate them on a map (digital or print) using the lines of latitude and longitude or create a description of their locations.
Record the latitude and longitude lines of the following eight cities. Select two or more other countries Canada also has significant relationships with and record the latitude and longitude of their capital cities. Record your responses using the Locations of Canada’s Trading Partners in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document.
Some of Canada’s Trading partners: Washington D.C., London, Beijing, Tokyo, Canberra, Wellington, Mexico City, Mumbai
|
Country, City |
(Latitude, Longitude) |
|---|---|
Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Locations of Canada’s Trading Partners .
Press ‘Answers’ to reveal approximate values for the lines of longitude and latitude for the different cities.
|
City, Country |
(Latitude, Longitude) |
|---|---|
|
Washington D.C, United States |
39° N, 77° W |
|
London, England |
51° N, 0.1° W |
|
Beijing, China |
39° N, 116° E |
|
Tokyo, Japan |
35° N, 139° E |
|
Canberra, Australia |
35° S, 149° E |
|
Wellington, New Zealand |
41° S, 174° E |
|
Mexico City, Mexico |
19° N, 99° W |
|
Mumbai, India |
19° N, 73° E
|
Significant relationships
The Canadian government interacts with many nations in many different ways.
Explore the following list and consider the ways in which the Canadian government may interact with other nations. You can also record your ideas using another method of your choice.
Press ‘Answer’ to reveal different ways the Canadian government interacts with other nations.
Canada and the world
Let’s explore some of the different ways Canada interacts with the world.
Learning check!
Fill in the blank with the term that matches the appropriate definition. For each sentence, select the missing term.
Consolidation
True or false?
Explore the following true or false questions. If the response is false, how can it be changed to become true? You may record your ideas using a method of your choice.
Select the correct answer.
Think about what you have learned
Record your responses to the following questions using a method of your choice.
- Why might it be important to develop relationships with other nations?
- Why do nations interact and support each other? What is the significance of global interactions?
- What are some nations or cities which Canada interacts with?
- Using your mind map from the Minds On section, add any additional ways the Canadian government interacts with other nations.
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.
I feel...
Now, record your ideas using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.
Press ‘Discover More’ to extend your skills.
Discover More