Canada's Geography and Natural Resources
Canada, with its capital in Ottawa, is a country of vast proportions and diverse landscapes. The Kanada mapa fizyczna reveals a complex terrain that significantly influences its climate, population distribution, and economic activities.
Highlight: Canada's total area is 9.98 million square kilometers, making it the second-largest country in the world by total area.
The country's geography can be broadly divided into several regions:
- The Western Cordillera: A chain of mountains running along the western coast, including the Rocky Mountains.
- The Interior Plains: Vast prairies and grasslands in the center of the country.
- The Canadian Shield: A large area of ancient rock formations covering much of central and eastern Canada.
- The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Lowlands: Fertile lowlands in the southeast.
- The Appalachian Region: An extension of the Appalachian Mountains in the east.
- The Arctic Archipelago: A group of islands in the far north.
Vocabulary: Cordillera - A system or group of parallel mountain ranges together with the intervening plateaus and other features.
The Ukształtowanie powierzchni Kanady plays a crucial role in determining its climate zones:
- Polar climate in the far north
- Subpolar climate in the northern regions
- Cool temperate climate in the central areas
- Warm temperate climate in the southern parts
Example: The city of Iqaluit in Nunavut experiences a polar climate with long, cold winters and short, cool summers, while Toronto in Ontario has a warm temperate climate with hot summers and cold winters.
Canada's natural resources are abundant and diverse:
- Forests cover 38.7% of the land area, contributing significantly to the economy and environment.
- The country is rich in minerals, including gold and diamonds.
- Extensive oil and gas reserves, particularly in Alberta and offshore areas.
Definition: Extractive industry - The industry sector involved in the extraction of raw materials from the earth, such as oil, metals, minerals, and trees.
The Kanada środowisko przyrodnicze a rozwój rolnictwa is closely linked to its land use:
- Pastures account for 2.2% of the land area
- Arable land makes up 4.7% of the total area
These agricultural lands are primarily located in the southern parts of the country, where the climate is more favorable for farming.
Quote: "Canada's vast natural resources are a significant source of its economic prosperity."
The Kanada gęstość zaludnienia is relatively low, with a population of 37.6 million (as of 2019) spread across its enormous landmass. Most of the population is concentrated in the southern regions, particularly along the border with the United States, where the climate is milder and more suitable for agriculture and urban development.
The country's economy, reflected in its GDP per capita of 46,195 USD (2019), is diverse and heavily influenced by its natural resources. The official languages are English and French, and the currency is the Canadian dollar.
