Canada
Canada is a VERY big place (the second largest country in the world after Russia) with many diverse cultures and climates. There are essentially six different types of geography in Canada:
- Atlantic Provinces - To the far east of Canada this includes the provinces Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and New Brunswick - The climate here is relatively moderate. The landscape tends to be relatively barren of trees but there are many rolling hills (just to the south in the US is Vermont famous for skiing). This area of the country is relatively sparsely populated, the inhabitants tend towards fishing and logging though in recent years with the declining fish stock people have been turning more to manual manufacturing labour. From a tourist standpoint there is a lot of great scenery and quaint fishing villages to see (if you have a car you MUST take the Trans-Canada highway along the coast of Nova Scotia, fantastic views!).
- Southern Farmland (for lack of a better term) - This area is comprised of Quebec and Ontario, by far the most populous provinces in Canada. This area tends towards small rolling hills and was originally widely farmed and was the first European settled areas of Canada. Now it is largely consumed by massive cities.
- Canadian Shield - This area is the northern portions of Ontario, Quebec and portions of Manitoba. this area is extremely remote and difficult to get to. Most of the people visiting this area are campers or fishermen. Some of the most beautiful countryside in Canada.
- Prairie - This area is comprised of most of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. Largely uninhabited, there are a few larger cities (but not much in between, it is not uncommon, even on major highways to travel an hour without seeing a town of any significant size). Typically this area has few trees (though there are exceptions such as the Whiteshell Provincial Park in Manitoba with it's wonderful rock formations, lakes and forests).
- The Rockies - Generally, most of British Columbia is in the Rocky Mountains (the largest mountains in North America). Generally this area is used by tourists and logging. GREAT skiing in Banff and to the north of Vancouver in Whistler/Blackcomb. Some very large areas of unspoilt landscape. Just across a small stretch of water from Vancouver, Vancouver Island (accessible by ferry) is a good example of this.
- Arctic - This area has few, if any, inhabitants. The area is composed of the Yukon, Northwest and (now) Nunavick territories (recently this area has been given it's own government). The landscape is largely tundra. There are not many roads into this area so most transportation is either by rail or plane (boat travel is largely impractical).
The people are living here are extremely diverse with the French and their determination at being a separate culture in Quebec (and smaller settlements throughout Canada); the Inuit who are a quiet, gentle people, inhabiting the north; the native indians inhabiting many reservations and towns thoughout Canada; the majority of the population who are decendants of the original European settlers from a hundred or so years ago. All Canadians are generally pleasant and quiet though filled with the yearning for life.
Further Information
For further information, please see:
- Trans Canada Trail - Recreational train across Canada