Canada geographical location and natural features. Canada's position in relation to neighboring countries

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1. Geographic location

2. Natural conditions

4. Tourism resources

5. Recreational resources

canada landform resource tourism

1. Geographic location

Canada is located in the north of the American continent and has a total area of ​​9976 thousand square meters. km. (second largest country in the world). Capital Ottawa. It is washed by the waters of the Arctic, Atlantic and Pacific oceans, as a result of which it has the largest coast in the world. In the south it borders on the United States, and in the north, thanks to its polar islands, it deepens for 800 km. for the Arctic Circle.

Canada owns a number of islands - Baffin Island, Victoria, Ellesmere, Devon, Banks, Newfoundland and others. The highest point is Logan in the northwest (5951 m.).

The rocky Pacific coast of the country is indented by fjords and fenced off from the main territory by the powerful mountain range of the St. Elijah Mountains, the Beregovoy and Boundari ridges. The famous Canadian prairie stretches throughout the south of the country to the very Atlantic coast. The Atlantic regions of the country are occupied by low hilly ridges interspersed with vast plains. The polar zone and the Hudson Bay area (Hudson Bay) are huge low-lying plains, crossed by thousands of rivers and lakes, often swampy or occupied by tundra landscapes.

2. Natural conditions

The relief of Canada is very many-sided and diverse. Most of the country is occupied by a hilly plain, bounded on the west and east by mountain ranges along the coast of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. In the west, along the entire Pacific coast lies the huge mountain range of the Cordilleras. The width of this mountain belt is about 600 kilometers. The Canadian Cordillera reaches a height of 2700 meters, they begin with a series of small mountain ranges in Alaska. The Rocky Mountains pass south of the Layard River basin, divided by rivers into two located ranges.

The western slopes here are covered with dense coniferous forests, and the eastern slopes are rocky and bare, the height of individual peaks exceeds 4000 meters. The northern part of the mountain of the western ridge is called Caribou, to the south it is divided into several branches (Parcell, Selkirk, Golden Mountains). West of the Rocky Mountains is the volcanic plateau of the Columbia and Fraser Rivers. The highest areas in the western belt of mountains in the south are the coastal islands of Queen Charlotte, Vancouver, and in the north - the wide massifs of the mountains of St. Elias and Logan, with a height of 5959 meters. This is the highest point in the entire relief of Canada. The slopes of the mountains are covered with powerful glaciers, smoothly descending to the sea.

Mountain ranges stretch along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, which are a continuation of the Appalachian Mountains of the United States. They also include the Notre Dame Mountains, located on the right bank of the St. Lawrence River, the Kibkid Mountains, passing northeast of the Bay of Fundy, and the New Brunswick Upland. The height of the local mountains does not exceed 700 meters. The surface of Newfoundland rises to 805 meters.

To the north of Lake Superior and the St. Lawrence River to the shores of the Arctic Ocean lies a huge area of ​​the Canadian Shield, consisting of hard crystalline rocks (granite, gneiss and shale). On the surface of the shield, traces of recent glaciation are visible, processed by ice into curly rocks, the so-called "ram's foreheads". Rapids rivers run along the Canadian Shield, there are numerous lakes, the surface is covered with a thin layer of soil.

In the relief of Canada, it is also worth noting the Labrador Peninsula, which is distinguished by bare stone hills and rocks. The height of the terrain on the southern and western coasts of Hudson Bay does not exceed 200 meters, in the east, near Lake Superior, the terrain rises to 500 meters. The low-lying strip stretches along the entire northern coast and goes deep into the mainland. To the west from the Canadian Shield to the Rocky Mountains is a plain that reaches the Mackenzie River basin. In the south of the country there are flat-topped Cypress and Wooded Mountains up to 1100 meters high.

Climate of Canada

The main factors in the Canadian climate are latitudinal variation (from 43° N to 80° N), the obstruction of the westerly ocean winds by the Rocky Mountains, the extent of continental territories at relatively high latitudes, resulting in severe cooling in winter, and the proximity the Arctic Ocean, which makes the summer cool. The Canadian climate is characterized by cold winters and cool to moderate and humid summers with long daylight hours. The climate and temperatures vary greatly depending on the area, so in the north the climate is polar, in the Prairies there is a large range of temperature fluctuations at different times of the year or even days, while in the west, in British Columbia, the climate is milder and more temperate, since the Arctic air does not skipped there by the Canadian Rockies. The west coast and Vancouver Island have a maritime climate, with mild and rainy winters due to the influence of the Pacific Ocean.

Average monthly winter temperatures can drop to -15°C even in the southern part of the country, although temperatures of -40°C can be expected there with strong icy winds. Average annual precipitation in the form of snow can reach several hundred centimeters (for example, in Quebec - 337 cm). In summer, real temperatures can rise to 35 ° C, and in the Canadian Prairies even up to 40 ° C.

The humidity index is often high in summer in the east of the country. In some villages in the far north of the country, temperatures up to -50 ° C were recorded in winter. Temperatures in Alerta rarely reach 5°C in summer. In addition, strong icy winds can drastically drop temperatures even to 60 degrees below zero.

In most of the territory, the climate is continental (cold or very cold of the Dxx type according to the Köppen classification in winter), in the southern part, close to the American border, the summer is relatively warmer and longer, in the north it is shorter and cooler. Humidity is negligible on the prairies to moderate in the north and center throughout the year, with summer rainfall predominating.

According to the Köppen classification, such a summer is Dfb (moderate summer) in the south, and Dfc (cool summer) in the north. In the southeast, the Atlantic influence moderates the winter slightly, but increases atmospheric disturbances and precipitation, which leads to heavy snowfalls, while the distribution of precipitation varies slightly in different areas: they can be distributed evenly throughout the year (Quebec) or even dominate in winter in the immediate vicinity. proximity to the ocean (Newfoundland and Nova Scotia). In the west, bags of a continental climate with a temperate and dry summer (a rare type of Dsb) are located in the mountainous regions of the Canadian Rockies, the Coast Range, the Mackenzie Mountains.

Also near the Rocky Mountains on the American border in Saskatchewan, in Saskatoon, there are bags of cold semi-desert climate (mark Bsk), protected from the westerly winds.

On the west coast - a narrow region west of the Rocky Mountains - the climate is milder and more temperate, thanks to oceanic influence. The winter there is very humid, in the south the summer is moderate (mark Cfb), in the north it is cool (mark Cfc). However, this climate does not extend deep into the continent, as the Rocky Mountains prevent it.

On the shores of the Arctic Ocean and the islands of Northern Canada with their arctic climate (ET mark according to Köppen), the highest average monthly temperature does not reach even 10 ° C, winter is about as cold as in the continental region.

Canada resources

In terms of natural conditions and deposits of natural resources, Canada is often compared with Russia. The mineral resources of Canada are very rich and diverse. Canada has significant reserves of non-ferrous metals (copper, nickel, lead, zinc), uranium, oil, iron ore, potash, asbestos, coal and natural gas. Therefore, Canada is the largest supplier of mineral raw materials to various countries of the world, and primarily to the United States. The country has very diverse climatic conditions.

Most of Canada has a harsh climate that makes it difficult to conduct business. Canada is very different in precipitation. In the steppe regions of the Great Plain, up to 250-500 millimeters of precipitation falls annually, and up to 1000-2000 millimeters falls on the coast of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. A significant part of Canada is covered with coniferous forests (about 45% of the territory). In terms of timber reserves, the country is in third place in the world. Wildlife stocks are of great importance for the country's economy - these are commercial fish (herring, halibut, cod, salmon), fur-bearing animals. A special place is occupied by its water resources. In terms of total fresh water reserves, Canada ranks third in the world after Russia and Brazil. The St. Lawrence River and the Great Lakes are of great energy and transport importance. Features of natural conditions have led to uneven economic development and development of territories.

hydropower

Canada is rich in rivers with high water flow, which makes it possible to use hydropower. In addition, vast areas are uninhabited. This simplifies the implementation of large projects involving large reservoirs.

Between 2000 and 2002, Canada was the world's largest producer of hydropower, generating about 337 billion kilowatt-hours annually. It was followed by Brazil with 286 billion kilowatt-hours. The main producing provinces were Ontario, Manitoba, Quebec, British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador. The last three used mainly electricity from their own hydroelectric generation.

Quebec was also the largest producer of energy, about three times the size of British Columbia (the second largest hydroelectric producing province).

La Grande, Manicouagan and Churchill are the three Canadian rivers that contain the most powerful dams in the country.

In other provinces, other ways of generating electricity predominate. The province of Ontario is dependent on nuclear power as well as fossil fuels such as coal.

Timber

The Canadian timber industry produces timber. It is especially developed in British Columbia, where the humid oceanic climate is moderately influenced by the Pacific Ocean.

Minerals

Alberta and the north contain non-metallic minerals such as oil. Potassium salts are mined in the Saskatchewan Basin.

Canada has the richest mineral resources and ranks first in the world in the extraction of uranium, cobalt, potash salts and asbestos; second place - in the extraction of zinc ores and sulfur; the third is natural gas and platinoids; the fourth, copper ore and gold; the fifth for lead ores and the seventh for silver mining.

Fresh water

Canada has significant reserves of fresh water for which the United States makes payments in the Great Lakes region. Canada's export of fresh water to the US is the subject of recurring discussions.

Agriculture

The diversity of Canadian soils and climates explains the great variation in Canadian agriculture.

British Columbia and Ontario are known for their intensive horticulture.

In the steppes in the west of the country there are large areas of extensive grain crops.

Quebec is the largest producer of dairy products.

Most of Canada's potatoes are grown on Prince Edward Island.

and much more

Flora and fauna of Canada

Flora and fauna Much of Canada's land is tundra and taiga. Only 8% of the land is cultivated, and more than 50% of the territory is covered with forests, in which there are many valuable species of wood. Of particular value are conifers: Douglas, giant thuja, balsam fir, black and white fir. Poplar, yellow birch, oak and maple, the symbol of Canada, are characteristic of the south of the southeast of the country.

Of industrial importance is the fur-bearing animal, for which the taiga is rich. In terms of wood reserves, Canada is inferior to Russia and Brazil, and in terms of per capita, Canada is in first place in the world. Mosses, lichens, grass and flowers grow in the tundra in summer. In the forest-tundra - dwarf trees. Prairies and plains are covered with bearded vultures, sagebrush, and feather grass. The fauna of Canada is also diverse. Reindeer, tundra wolf, white hare, polar bear, arctic fox live in the tundra, bear, wolf, fox, lynx, squirrel, hare, marten, beaver, elk, deer live in the forests, field mice, moles live in the steppes and gophers. The lakes and arctic islands are home to millions of migratory birds.

In the reserves of Canada, you can find bison, which were almost completely exterminated with the arrival of European settlers on the mainland. Coastal waters are rich in fish: in the west - salmon (chinook salmon, chum salmon, pink salmon), and in the east - cod and herring. Climate The country's climate varies from arctic in the north to temperate in the south. Most of Canada has a continental climate, on the western and eastern coasts - maritime, in the south - temperate, close to subtropical. The average January temperature in the far north is 35 0 C, in the south - 20 0 C, on the east coast - 5 0 C, in the west - 4 0 C, in July - from 5 0 C in the far north to 22 0 From near the US border. Precipitation is greatest in coastal areas (up to 2,500 mm per year), and least of all in the central part of the country (200-500 mm).

In winter, all of Canada is covered with snow, and most rivers and lakes freeze.

The cold masses of air from the Arctic coast easily reach the south of the country, the cooled air mass reaches the temperate latitudes. The mountain ranges of Canada are located along the meridians and do not protect the southern part of the country from the influence of the Arctic cold. Only the southwestern and southeastern regions of the country are distinguished by a mild maritime climate. Rivers and lakes Canada is famous for its dense and full-flowing network of rivers. Canada is crossed by such mighty rivers as Mackenzie, Columbia, Niagara, St. Lawrence River and many others. Mackenzie is the longest river in the entire northern part of the mainland: its length is more than 4.5 thousand km.

Almost 2/3 of all rivers in Canada belong to the Arctic Ocean basin. Everywhere, except for the southernmost part of the country, rivers are covered with ice for a period of 5 to 9 months a year. Rivers such as the Niagara and the St. Lawrence River play an important role in Canada's economy. They serve as transport routes between Canada and the United States, as well as sources of electricity generated by hydroelectric power plants built on them.

Nature and landscape

Prime Minister W.L. Mackenzie King, complaining about the vast territory of the country, once remarked: "If there are countries in the world with a great history, then we are a country with a great geography." The territory of Canada occupies 10 million square meters. km. It is in second place among all countries of the world in terms of territory, second only to Russia. Cape Pili on Lake Erie is at the same latitude as Italy, while Canada's northernmost point is 800 km from the North Pole. If you travel from Cape Spear in the east to the border with Alaska in the west, you will cover a distance of approximately 5633 km and six time zones.

Canada is famous for its harsh winters, but on the ocean coast or near the Great Lakes, the climate is milder in winter and cooler in summer. The barren land beyond the Arctic Circle is literally uninhabited, with the Canadian Shield covering at least half of the country. The vast majority of the population lives along the US border, in cities and towns. The inhabitants of the Maritime Provinces are much closer to Europe than to their fellow citizens in British Columbia.

Canadian shield

A distinctive feature of the geographical map of Canada are the mountains, formed in the ancient period during the melting of glaciers. They occupy an area equal to approximately 5 million square meters. km. The shield is located in the form of a giant arc around Hudson Bay in the direction from northwest to northeast.

In the south, it borders the Great Lakes and reaches the outskirts of the cities of Ontario and Quebec. The long settled provinces of Canada to the east, such as southern Ontario and Manitoba, are separated from the later settled provinces to the west by this formidable barrier thousands of kilometers wide.

The rocks that make up the shield are among the most ancient on Earth. They were formed over four billion years ago and consist mainly of granite and gneiss. During the ice ages, the glaciers advanced and retreated, eroding the upper layers of the soil to their present level, forming numerous lakes and destroying almost the entire fertile layer. At the southern end of the shield, mountain ranges have formed, such as, for example, the Laurentian Upland, the highest point of which, Mont Tremblant, reaches 968 meters in height. The elevation then gradually declines to sea level along the coast of Hudson Bay. In the east, the Torngat mountain range rises above the Labrador Sea by more than 1524 meters. To the north of the woodlands is a huge strip of tundra: a dull landscape of dwarf birches and willows, moss and lichen. In the short summer, small flowering plants bloom here. In the south, the tundra turns into taiga (arctic forest) with coniferous trees. In large areas of the taiga, peat bogs are found everywhere.

Clay soils are common in some regions at the southern tip of the shield, but attempts to use these soils for agricultural purposes have not been particularly successful. The natural resources, flora and fauna of the entire region helped the indigenous peoples to survive. They, for example, traded in fur since ancient times. Some resources have come to be used by power generation companies, one of which is the large Hydro-Quebec corporation. A large part of this area is being harvested, and trees are floated down many rivers and mountain streams.

Appalachian mountains

The northernmost regions of the Appalachian mountain range reach east of Quebec and the Maritimes, they also reach Newfoundland. Most of the Appalachians are folded mountains, eroded by the glaciers that once covered them. There are also lowlands along the river valleys and the coast.

The mountains and highlands are mostly round in shape, reaching a height of more than 1200 meters on the Gaspé peninsula. In Newfoundland, their height is approximately 762 meters, and on Cape Breton Island - only 533 meters.

The main distinguishing feature of the region is the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Previously, the path connecting the settlements distant from each other ran more by sea than by land. Until recently, the region's economy depended only on the sea and the majority of the population was fed by this. The extension of the coastal shallows, the so-called Great Newfoundland Bank, is the richest place for fishing, one of the largest in the world. The coastline is well defined here, and there are both cold and warm currents in the sea. Although there are no cod anymore, a variety of representatives of the marine fauna are found here, among which there are some species of whales. One of the region's most important resources is onshore oil.

Atlantic region

This region is part of the Appalachian mountain range, but is most associated with Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the Prince Edward Islands. Agriculture is associated with the cultivation of soils of medium fertility. There is a rich potato harvest on Prince Edward Island. The Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia is famous for its orchids.

Great Lakes

More than half of Canada's population lives in relatively favorable climatic conditions - along the coast of the Great Lakes and in the valley of the St. Lawrence River. Between Windsor, near Detroit, and the city of Quebec, for about 1,126 km to the northeast, there are quite a few mountain settlements. This includes the two most significant cities, Toronto and Montreal.

Much of the history of the country unfolded here. As a cultural heritage of distant eras, ancient buildings have been preserved here (for example, in the city of Niagara-on-the-Lake in Ontario) and beautiful rural landscapes (for example, the Richelieu Valley in Quebec).

Although winters are cold6 and summers are hot, the climate in the regions is not as severe as in the rest of the country, which allows for a varied crop. In many areas, the soils are quite fertile. They were formed due to the fact that sedimentary rocks overlie older rocks on the Canadian Shield. A variety of crops are grown here, even grapes, mostly in the Niagara region, but also in other parts of Ontario and even in southern Quebec. Peeley on Lake Erie, rich in natural woodland that once stood here, is the northernmost part of the Caroline Forest. Such southern plant species are common here, such as, for example, the tulip tree and the frame tree. The forest in Canada is well preserved. This is why Canada has chosen the maple leaf as its national symbol: tourists admire autumn leaves, and Canadians extract juice to produce maple syrup.

interior plains

The Plains are an extension of the chain of lowlands that runs across the United States from the Rio Grande in a northerly direction. In Canada, their length is more than 2414 km. They are located between the shield and the Rocky Mountains, where the Mackenzie River flows into the Arctic Ocean. The plains include the southern fringes of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, most of Alberta, and the southwestern part of the Northwest Territories. Along the boundary of the shield plains are huge natural reservoirs of water such as Lakes Winnipeg, Athabasca, and Great Slave Lake. Arctic forests and tundra predominate in the north, while fertile soils prevail in the south. Once they were meadows, but now agriculture is developed here. This is where the bulk of Canadian grain is produced. Along with prairie pastures that were ruthlessly exploited, countless bison that once grazed the plains were literally exterminated.

Initially, settlers came to the flat territories to engage in animal husbandry and grain cultivation. But the pace of economic development is now determined by oil and natural gas resources. Basically, this industry is developed in Alberta.

Cordillera in Canada

The Cordilleras are part of a 14,500 km long mountain range stretching from Tierra del Fuego to Alaska, and many small chains and mountain plateaus up to 800 km wide. They are found throughout the Yukon and most of British Columbia. And the crest of the Rocky Mountains forms the border with Alberta. Here are the most stunning scenery in Canada and the highest mountain peaks. Until recently, many researchers tried to conquer them. The highest peak in the Canadian Rockies is Mount Robson (3954 meters). Some peaks in the Mackenzie mountain range in Yukon exceed 2500 meters, but the highest mountain in Canada and the second highest in North America is Mount Logan (6050 meters) in the northwest in the St. Elias mountain range.

Mountains were formed as a result of a complex folding process that began 70 million years ago. But glaciers have worked on the modern relief of the mountains. This process is still ongoing. The Alpine climate contributes to the most abundant snowfall in the country - up to 940 cm per year (in the Glacier National Park). In comparison, the area around the Strait of Georgia on the Pacific coast has a rather mild climate and frequent rains.

Fur traders often settled in the area, as the local area is rich in diverse fauna, preserved in some places to this day. The alpine forests to the east and the rainforests to the west are home to brown bears and grizzlies. Once upon a time, salmon was found in reservoirs, but its number has significantly decreased in recent years. Logging remains a vital industry.

3. The history of the formation and development of Canada

1. Canada's post-war situation

Canada, which was a British dominion, took an active part in World War II on the side of the anti-Hitler coalition. She became a real arsenal of England. More than 800 thousand military trucks, 50 thousand tanks, 18 thousand aircraft, 4 thousand warships were produced here. Its troops participated in the fighting on almost all fronts of the war. The war gave impetus to the economic growth of Canada: in terms of development, it came out on top among Western countries. Canada has become an industrial power. The economic recovery that began during the war years continued in the post-war years. The impetus for this was the rapid growth of the population (mainly due to emigrants), and, accordingly, the increase in the domestic market, the development of the north and the far west. In 1949, New Foundland and the northeastern part of Labrador, rich in iron ore, became part of Canada. Large oil fields were discovered in Alberta and Saskatchewan. The strengthening of the economic and political position of Canada has weakened traditional ties with the UK. An important step towards the elimination of the remnants of colonial dependence was the adoption in1947 of the law on Canadian citizenship and the recognition of the Canadian Supreme Court as the country's highest court of appeal. In 1952, for the first time, Canadian-born V. Messi became the governor of Canada.

Prime Ministers of Canada in the post-war period

Prime Minister

Years in office

Party affiliation

liberal

L. Saint Laurent

liberal

D. Diefenbaker

Progressive Conservative

L. Pearson

liberal

P. E. Trudeau

liberal

Progressive Conservative

P. E. Trudeau

liberal

B. Mulroney

Progressive Conservative

J. Chretien

liberal

2. Political and economic development in the 50-60s of the XX century.

In internal political life, the traditional rivalry between the leading political parties - liberal and conservative - continued. From 1935 to 1957, liberals were invariably in power, whose policies contributed to the economic recovery of the country (until 1948 the government was headed by Mackenzie King, and until 1957 by Louis Saint Laurent), as well as strengthening strategic relations with the United States.

The Conservatives, eager to come to power, turned to serious reform within the party. Since 1956, the party has become known as the Progressive Conservative. The party was led by an energetic politician, John Diefenbaker, who initiated a change in the party program. The new election program assumed the solution of many economic and political issues: the development of the North, the restoration of traditional ties with England and the British Commonwealth, the "Canadianization" of the economy and culture, the elimination of unemployment, and the improvement of relations between the federal authorities and the provinces. Thanks to the renewal of the program, the Conservatives won the elections in 1957 and created a government. The new government increased the amount of assistance to the disabled and the elderly, reduced taxes, provided loans to farmers for the future harvest, and carried out other social reforms. In August 1960, the "Bill of Rights of Citizens" was adopted, but most of the election promises failed to be fulfilled. In particular, the program for the development of the North, "canadization", and the elimination of unemployment has not been implemented. The position of the ruling party began to weaken.

In foreign policy, the Diefenbaker government continued its policy of strengthening Atlantic solidarity within NATO (Canada has been a member of this organization since 1949). On some issues, its representatives had a different opinion from the position of the United States. Thus, Canada refused to join the Organization of American States (OAS), did not break off diplomatic and trade relations with Cuba, and supported the demand for recognition of the PRC. In the early 1960s, a heated discussion broke out in Canadian society regarding the deployment of American nuclear weapons in the country and the presence of Canadian troops in Europe. Prime Minister Diefenbaker was vehemently opposed, but most of his cabinet ministers were in favor. This caused a government crisis, which resulted in the dissolution of parliament and the appointment of new elections. Two new political parties, the New Democratic Party and the Social Credit Party, joined the political struggle. Although the 1963 elections were won by the Liberals with 42% of the vote, it turned out that the two-party system had failed, with the Conservatives winning 32% of the vote and the new parties 25%.

The new government was formed by Lester Pearson, who was in power until 1968. Lacking a majority in Parliament, the Liberals were forced to pursue a cautious policy, bypassing sharp political corners. Notable actions by the Liberal government include the adoption in 1965 of a new Canadian flag with a red maple leaf on a white field and the conclusion of the Auto Pact, which united the automobile industries of Canada and the United States.

3. Problems of Quebec. The development of Canada in the 70-80s. Constitutional reform 1982

Pursuing a cautious policy, the liberals could not avoid the most acute problem of Canada - national. It was caused by the dissatisfaction of the French-speaking population of Canada with their economic situation, social and political status. The roots of this problem lie in the history of the formation of the Canadian state and the peculiarities of its national composition. The population of Canada is divided into Anglo-Canadians - 40%, French Canadians - 27%, who are descendants of the first settlers from England and France, and immigrants from other countries of Europe, Asia and Africa.

The majority of Canada's francophones live in the province of Quebec, where they make up 82% of the population. Therefore, the French-Canadian problem is primarily a "Quebec problem". Leading positions in the economic life of the province belong to the Anglo-Canadian and American companies. Thus, Anglo-Canadians, who make up 10% of the population here, occupy 80% of all managerial positions in industry, while among workers they account for 7%. The income of Anglo-Canadians exceeded the average income level in the province by 40%. Along with this, Quebec had the highest unemployment rate in the country. An important factor that became an incentive for French Canadian separatism was the dominance of the English language: knowledge of English gave an advantage in hiring and raising social status, while ignorance of French did not entail a decrease in social status. The dominance of the English language caused the new immigrants to prefer English and thereby increase the proportion of Anglo-Canadians in the province. These reasons led to a mass movement of the French-speaking population for equality. The unwillingness of governments to solve this problem led to the emergence of a movement among French Canadians for the secession of the province from Canada and the formation of an independent state. In 1968, the Quebec Party was formed, led by René Leveque. The liberals, given the seriousness of the problem, made changes in the leadership of the party (French-Canadian Pierre Elliott Trudeau became its leader) and developed a program of reforms throughout the country.

Having achieved victory in the elections in 1969, the Trudeau government passed a law through Parliament that stated the equality of English and French in all parts of the state apparatus and provided for the introduction of bilingualism in regions where a minority who speaks one of the official languages ​​is at least 10% of the population.

Since 1971, the implementation of the government program began - teaching a second language in secondary and higher educational institutions. These measures somewhat changed the situation for the better, but there were no cardinal changes. Previously, the protest of the French-Canadians was caused by the government's concept of "One country - one nation." The political expression of this protest was "Law No. 22" (1974) of the Quebec Parliament, which proclaimed French the only official language of the province. The situation escalated after the Quebec Party came to power in the province in 1976 and proclaimed a plan for the gradual withdrawal of Quebec from the federation. In 1980, the Party of Quebec organized a referendum to achieve the independence of Quebec, but this idea was supported by only 40% of voters. The slogan of independence was temporarily removed, but the problem became chronic.

The Quebec problem was only a manifestation of the general crisis of the Canadian federation. A significant part of the provinces sought to limit the functions of the central government. In addition, the functions of federal and provincial governments were not clearly demarcated. The situation was complicated by the fact that the federal government did not have the constitutional ability to limit the centrifugal tendencies of the provinces, since the role of the Canadian constitution was performed by the British Parliament adopted in 1867 the British North America Act, changes and additions to which had to be approved by the British Parliament. This anachronism led the Trudeau government to appeal to London in 1980 to grant Canada full sovereignty in the constitutional realm. In March 1982, the British Parliament passed the last law regarding Canada - the Canada Act, which suspended the UK's legislative powers over this dominion. On April 17, 1982, the Canadian Parliament passed the Constitution Act. So in the 115th year of its existence, Canada lost its colonial past. The Constitution Act significantly expanded the powers of the provinces, but did not solve the problem of the status of Quebec, which retained the possibility of deepening the crisis of the federation.

In the early 1980s, the economic situation in Canada worsened, which for some time pushed the problem of federal-provincial relations aside. There was a decline in production. The government deficit was 24 billion Canadian dollars. 12% of the able-bodied population found themselves in the position of unemployed.

Economic difficulties led to the defeat of the Liberals and the coming to power in 1984 of the Progressive Conservative Party, led by Brian Mulroney. He carried out a number of reforms in the spirit of the "Conservative Revolution" and brought the country out of the economic crisis. One of the main political tasks of the Conservative government was the achievement of national accord and the preservation of the unity of the state. Difficult again was the "Problem of Quebec", which refused to accede to the 1982 constitution and demanded special status. After lengthy negotiations, a draft constitutional treaty was prepared, which determined the special status of Quebec. But this time too, some English-speaking provinces refused to ratify the treaty. The problem again stalled, which raised a new wave of separatism. Its apogee was the referendum in November 1995 on the independence of Quebec. The separatists were once defeated: 44% voted for independence, 46% against.

Canada in the late XX - early XXI centuries.

Since 1993, liberals have been in power in the country, led by Jean Chretien (in 2000 he was elected prime minister for the third time), who are trying to solve the national problem.

During their tenure in power, the liberals carried out a number of reforms and transformations. Thus, the financial system of the country was improved. Starting from 1998, the financial year ends with a surplus. Additional funds are directed to various programs and debt repayment. Socio-economic programs of the Chrétien government included two programs: "Strategy of equal opportunities" (development of education and science) and "Creation of a safe society" (expansion of social programs). An important step of the government was the tax reform: the gradual reduction of taxes and stimulation of business activity. These ahead of time began to give tangible results since 1997, the reduction of unemployment began. Growth of business activity. During the reign of the liberals, there is a period of completion of the structural restructuring of the Canadian economy into science-intensive industries by reducing the primary industries (forestry, mining, agriculture, etc.). Integration processes with the United States deepened - the creation in 1994 of the NAFTA free trade zone (USA, Canada, Mexico). The integration process has achieved unprecedented results: 40% of Canada's GDP is exported, of which 80% goes to the USA. The turnover of Canadian-American trade is the largest in the world - $1 billion. dollars per day. Canada's progress in economic development is impressive: it currently ranks seventh in terms of economic development and first in the world in terms of living standards.

Stadium in Toronto

In December 2003, there was a change of leadership in Canada: Paul Martin became the new Liberal leader and Prime Minister. Significant changes are also noticeable in the opposition camp. As a result of the unification of the Canadian Alliance and the PCP in 2004, the Conservative Party was revived and intends to challenge the Liberals in the next elections.

5. Foreign policy of the country

For a long time, the external political course of Canada was in the shadow of the United States and Great Britain.

In the 1980s, Canada stepped up its own foreign policy. She acted with the intention to play the role of a mediator in relations between the USA and the USSR and the USA with the countries of the "third world". Particularly active mediation activity was deployed in the settlement of regional conflicts. In 1986, Canada resolutely came out in favor of ending the civil war in Nicaragua, condemning the intervention of other states, including the United States, in it. In 1989, it provided practical assistance in holding general parliamentary elections in that country. The Mulroney government played a positive role in the elimination of the apartheid regime in South Africa. Canada contributed to the settlement of the conflict in Cambodia. Canadian military contingents participate in UN peacekeeping activities in many hot spots of the planet.

After the collapse of the USSR, Canada welcomed the formation of new independent states and contributed to their entry into the UN. One of the first - on December 2, 1991, she recognized the independence of Ukraine and established diplomatic relations with her. In January 1999, Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien visited Ukraine. The visit ended with the signing of seven-party agreements and memorandums.

4. Tourism resources

Canada is one of the world's leading countries, ranking 11th in 2003 in terms of inbound tourist flow and tourism income, and 12th in terms of spending by Canadian tourists abroad. The share of Canada in tourist arrivals and departures of the world is 2.5%, in tourist income and expenditure - 2.1%. Hereinafter, statistics and statistical calculations are given according to the official tourist and statistical websites of the World Tourism Organization (WTO), Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), Canada and other Asia-Pacific countries. It should be noted that for a number of features of the recreational-geographical position and recreational resources, Canada should be considered as the closest analogue of Russia (northern position, access to three oceans, disproportions in the development of the country).

The share of Canada in the tourism industry of the Asia-Pacific region in tourist flows is 8.7%, in tourist foreign exchange turnover - 5.0%. The importance of Canada in the tourism system of the Asia-Pacific region has recently been declining due to the very rapid development of tourism in the Asian sector of the Asia-Pacific region. In addition, tourism in Canada was hit hard by the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack in the United States and the SARS epidemic in 2003. During these periods, both the entry and exit of tourists significantly decreased. If in 2000 Canadians spent $12.1 billion abroad, in 2001 - $11.6 billion, then in 2003 - $9.9 billion. from 8 to 12 in the world. In 2003 alone, Canada's world ranking of tourist arrivals fell from 8th place to 11th.

In the Asia-Pacific region, Canada has long been second only to the United States in terms of the number of foreign tourists. The rapid development of inbound tourism in China has brought it to the 5th place in the world and the second in the region. In the coming years, China will come out on top in the region, and by 2020, possibly in the world. In the coming years, Canada will give way to third place in Mexico, whose potential in inbound tourism is higher. Other Asia-Pacific countries are still significantly inferior to Canada in inbound tourism, but it should be borne in mind that the pace of development of the tourism industry in Thailand, Hong Kong and especially in Malaysia is much higher

Canada's position in Asia-Pacific's tourism revenues is more modest. The absolute leader in tourism revenue is the United States, which is twice ahead of Spain, which occupies the second line in the world ranking, and three times China. China and Hong Kong have overtaken Canada in terms of tourism revenues, and several other countries in the Asia-Pacific region should overtake it in the next decade. The main reason for the low share of Canada in tourism income is related to the short duration of trips to the country, because. the bulk of the arrivals come from the border areas of the United States.

Although outbound tourism dominates in Canada, as in other highly developed northern states, the country's position in the Asia-Pacific region in terms of spending on tourism is even more modest. This is also due to the predominance of short trips by Canadians to the US border areas. Recall that since 2001 the expenses of Canadians abroad have decreased significantly.

Canada's tourism balance is consistently negative. It grew in the 1980s and early 1990s. reaching in 1992 - 6.4 billion can. USD (more than 5 billion US dollars). In the future, the balance improved and currently stands at -0.2 billion dollars. USA.

Canada's inbound and outbound tourism has a distinct seasonality due to the country's climatic conditions. The peak of visits to Canada falls on the warmest months of July-August, in each of these months the arrivals are more than 3 million foreigners, while in January there are only 0.7 million tourists. The seasonality of Canadians traveling abroad depends on the direction of travel. Canadians go to the northern border states of the United States mainly in the summer, to the southern states (Florida, California and Hawaii) - in the winter. While quantitatively summers account for a third of annual outbound traffic, Canada's winter tourism spending is 1.5 times higher due to travel distance.

The outbound flow of Canada is mainly directed to the USA - 73.9% (2001). The vast majority of Canadians go to the border states: New York (2.2 million people), Washington (1.6), Michigan (1.2). Of the 10 most popular US states among Canadians, 7 are border states. This pattern is violated only by Florida (1.6 million), California (0.9), where Canadians go mainly for seaside holidays, and the state of Nevada (0.6), known as the largest entertainment and gambling center Las Vegas. The length of stay of Canadians in the border areas in the United States is mainly limited to the "weekend" and averages 2-3 days. For the sake of rest on the sea they leave for a long time: Florida (21 days), Hawaii (13), California (9). As a result, Canadian tourists leave $2.1 billion in Florida alone, $0.8 billion in California, $0.6 billion in Hawaii, which is more than in any other US state.

The main destinations for the arrival of foreign tourists in Canada are the cities of Toronto (3.7 million people), Vancouver and Montreal. The fourth place in popularity among tourists belongs to two small satellite towns of St. Cantherines and Niagara and is associated with the arrival at the Niagara Falls. Niagara is the most famous and visited waterfall in the world, while the Canadian part of the waterfall is more picturesque. This resource is actively exploited by tourism; numerous hotels, entertainment enterprises, viewing platforms, cable cars have been built near the waterfall. Up to 2 million people come to see the waterfall every year. This is despite the fact that less than 1 million tourists a year arrive in the cities of Quebec, Victoria, Ottawa.

Among the tourist goals of foreign guests, there is a very high interest in nature - 21%. Almost 12% of tourists visit national parks, 2.3% of tourists come for the sake of rafting on rivers in kayaks, canoes or rafts. Fishing, outdoor recreation, sports routes, nature excursions are also popular - 6.7%. One of the main purposes of visiting the country is "sightseeing", where natural sites, such as Niagara, also make up a significant share. Thus, in terms of the share of the natural component for the purposes of foreign tourism, Canada is the leader among the highly developed countries of the world. Among the purposes of arrival, "shopping" (19.7%) also stands out, which also distinguishes Canada from developed countries. This is due to short-term cross-border travel of US residents. The proportion of people who came to Canada to visit friends and relatives is also high (12.7%), which is natural for a resettling country.

Thus, Canada is a country with a highly developed tourism industry, in which the volumes of inbound and outbound tourism are in relative balance. In recent decades, outbound tourism has dominated Canada and is expected to retain its leadership until 2020. According to the WTO, among the world leaders in outbound tourism, Canada will take the ninth place, which will amount to more than 30 million tourists or 2% of the world tourist flow. Interestingly, the tenth place in the ranking of outbound tourism with indicators close to Canada will be occupied by Russia. In inbound tourism, by 2020 it is expected that Canada will move to 15th-16th place, while Russia will take the 9th line. Russia's advantages in its recreational and geographical position (proximity to the European and East Asian tourist markets) and better provision with cultural and historical recreational resources will have an effect. At the same time, Canada's experience in the territorial organization of tourism in underdeveloped areas is very useful for Russia.

5. Recreational resources

The recreational and geographical position of Canada is determined by positive and negative factors. Among the positive ones, the following should be highlighted. First, the position in the Asia-Pacific region, the most dynamic region in the world in terms of socio-economic and tourism. The share of the western sector of the Asia-Pacific Region (East and South-East Asia, Australasia and Oceania) increased from 1-3% to 17-19% of the global volumes of the main tourism indicators. The pace of tourism development in the American sector of the Asia-Pacific region is somewhat lower. Secondly, the presence in the neighborhood of such a tourist giant as the United States. The United States of America is the world leader in terms of income and expenditure in the international tourism market. The tourist weight of the country in the American sector of the Asia-Pacific region, according to various indicators, is 60-70%. This determines the high dependence of inbound and outbound tourism in Canada on this country. Thirdly, the presence of extensive access to the seas of three oceans. Before the advent of jet aircraft and airbuses, the sea played an important role in the transport of tourists, especially in the European direction. The development of marine tourism is limited by the northern position of the country. However, the picturesqueness of the sea coasts, the presence of natural and cultural monuments on the coast is the basis for the development of cruise tourism, including in the Arctic. Fourthly, the considerable size of the country. Dimensions are not only stocks of land resources, they determine the diversity of recreational resources (several natural belts, mountainous, flat and oceanic territories).

Such a factor as the uneven distribution of the population, social and transport infrastructure has both a positive and a negative value. Due to the fact that a significant part of the country's territory is underdeveloped and "wild" territories, there are excellent conditions for natural types of tourism. On the other hand, the local nature of the development of social and transport infrastructure limits the possibilities of organizing tourism activities in vast areas.

The negative factors include, first of all, the relative remoteness of Canada from the main tourist markets of the world (with the exception of the United States) - Europe (more than half of the world tourist flow) and East Asia (more than 10% of the world flow, mainly from Japan and China). Secondly, the presence of a land border with only one country (USA). The combination of these two factors limits the geography and size of tourist flows to / from Canada and determines the absolute dominance of the United States in mutual human and monetary tourist flows.

The characteristic of recreational resources is briefly and quite accurately given by the well-known phrase that "Canada has a lot of geography and little history." In the world tourism specialization, Canada is distinguished primarily by the development of natural types of tourism, both mass (visiting national parks) and elite (extreme tourism). Eco-tourism is well developed in Canada. It is no coincidence that in 2002, which was declared by UNESCO as the Year of Ecotourism, Quebec hosted the World Summit on Ecotourism, which was attended by more than 1,000 delegates from 132 countries.

The organizational centers of natural tourism are primarily national parks, the most famous are Banff, Dinosor, Glacier, Yoho, Buffalo.

6. Development of tourism and recreation

1 Cultural and national traditions

Diversity is the most characteristic feature of Canada's cultural life, which is natural for such a large country with a relatively sparse population, which is divided into numerous groups along territorial and ethnic lines. Differences first began to emerge between the two groups that Canadian historians call the natives and the first settlers; There were also some differences within each of these groups. Indigenous people - Indians and Eskimos (Inuit); the first settlers were the French, who settled in Nova Scotia and Quebec in the early 17th century, and the English (that is, the English, Scots and Irish proper), who settled later in the same century in Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and on the shores of Hudson Bay.

French and British elements. Great Britain conquered New France, a French colony located on the banks of the St. Lawrence, in 1760. However, in Quebec and Acadia (part of the Maritime provinces), the French language and the variants of the French tradition that differed from each other were preserved and even developed, which was greatly facilitated by the influence of the Roman Catholic Church. The influx of English-speaking immigrants was small at first; only a quarter of a century later, after the victory of the American Revolution, thousands of Loyalists left their homes in the United States and settled in the colonies of Upper Canada (later Ontario) and New Brunswick. Loyalists and later settlers from the United States brought elements of American culture with them; these elements mingled with British culture, which was carried by the many immigrants who left England at the end of the Napoleonic Wars. These two sources gave rise to a distinct culture of English-speaking Canada, which is related to the American and British, but has its own characteristics.

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Canada is officially a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy, in fact it is a federal state located on the mainland of North America, bordered by the United States in the south and northwest (the territory of Alaska), has a maritime border with Greenland in the Atlantic Ocean and the French territories of St. Pierre and Miquelon in the Cabot Strait, south of Newfoundland.

The country is part of the British Commonwealth: Queen Elizabeth II Windsor is formally the head of state. Again, formally, its representative in the country is the Governor-General. Rideau Hall and the Quebec Fortress are his residences.

David Lloyd Johnson has served as Governor General since 2010. Legislative functions are performed by the Parliament, which also includes the House of Commons, the Senate and Queen Elizabeth. The representative of the party who receives the most votes in the election becomes prime minister.

Geographical position

The capital of the country is Ottawa. Of the largest cities, as well as cultural and economic centers, Montreal, Calgary, Toronto and Vancouver can be distinguished.

This state is technologically and industrially advanced, and also has a diversified economy that is based on trade (more imports go to the United States, this is also facilitated by various trade agreements (Canadian-American free trade agreement, automobile agreement and North American free trade agreement) and natural resources.

Canada is divided into 13 provinces (Ontario, Nova Scotia, Quebec, Prince Edward Island, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, Newfoundler and Labrador) and 3 territories (Nunavut, Yukon, Northwest Territories).

One of the mottos of Canada is from sea to sea. Firstly, the country is washed by three oceans: Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic. Vancouver is considered the largest Canadian port.

The largest inland port of the country is Montreal. Canada is a country of rivers and lakes. The largest are: the Mackenzie, Fraser, Nelson, Columbia, St. John and St. Lawrence rivers and the Great Lakes of Ontario, Michigan, Huron, Erie, Superior, Great Bear Lake and Great Slave Lake.

Climate

Canada's climate is characterized by cold winters and cool, windy, humid summers due to winds from the Arctic Ocean and the Rocky Mountains.

But the climate varies depending on the region of the country: in the north it is polar, in the prairie regions it is milder and more temperate with frequent temperature fluctuations, and in the west the weather is rainy and mild in winter, and the climate is maritime due to the proximity of the Pacific Ocean, in the south it is moderate summer and continental climate.

Water and forest resources

In addition to water resources, which serve as a source of the country's hydropower, which is also facilitated by sparsely populated areas (the province of Quebec is the center of the country's hydropower, and the Churchill, La Grande and Manicouagan rivers are centers of powerful dams), Canada is rich in other minerals.

Various types of forests help Canada to support itself in the timber industry and import it to other countries. On the territory of the state there are deposits of: potassium salts, oil, uranium, cobalt, asbestos, sulfur, natural gas, zinc ores, platinoids, gold, silver, copper ore and lead ores.

Characteristics of the economy of Canada

Thrives in Canada and agriculture. Due to the diversity of climate, soil types are also not the same: in Ontario and British Columbia, horticulture, Quebec is the center of dairy production, crops are grown in the west, and Prince Edward Island grows most of the country's potatoes.

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About the country Canada is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system. Area - 9984 thousand square meters. km. (second place in the world). It is washed by the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic oceans. It borders the USA, Denmark and France. Population - 34 million people. The capital is Ottawa. It is a federal state consisting of 10 provinces and 3 territories. Official languages: English and French. Economy: diversified, based on rich natural resources and trade.

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Geography Canada occupies almost the entire northern half of the mainland of North America and the numerous islands adjacent to it. In the east, the coast of the country is washed by the Atlantic, in the west - by the Pacific, and in the north - by the Arctic Ocean. The territory of the country extends from 83 degrees north latitude in the north (Cape Columbia on Ellesmere Island) to 41 degrees north latitude in the south (Mild Island on Lake Erie). The area of ​​the country is 9984 thousand sq. km.

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Relief The main part of the country is occupied by the plains of the prairies and the plateau of the Canadian Shield. To the west of the prairies are the continental lowlands of British Columbia and the Rocky Mountains, while the Appalachians rise south from Quebec to the maritime provinces. The continental lands of the Canadian North are bordered to the north by a large archipelago, the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, which includes the largest islands in the world. In this polar ice-covered region between the Queen Elizabeth Islands lies the north magnetic pole. The most populated area of ​​the country is the Quebec-Windsor corridor along the flat banks of the St. Lawrence River and in the southeast of the Great Lakes.

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Rivers and lakes Canada has more lakes than any other country in the world and has a significant supply of fresh water. In the east of Canada, the St. Lawrence River flows into the Gulf of St. Lawrence, having the largest mouth in the world, where the island of Newfoundland is located. New Brunswick and Nova Scotia are separated by the Bay of Fundy, which is famous for having the highest tides in the world. To the north of the 60th parallel are numerous lakes (the largest of which are the Great Bear and Great Slave Lakes) and are crossed by the longest river in the country - the Mackenzie River.

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The Great Lakes are a system of freshwater lakes in North America, the United States and Canada. It includes a number of large and medium-sized reservoirs connected by rivers and straits. The area is about 245.2 thousand km², the volume of water is 22.7 thousand km³. The five largest lakes belong to the Great Lakes proper: Superior, Huron, Michigan, Erie and Ontario. Several medium-sized lakes are connected with them. The lakes belong to the Atlantic Ocean basin. Drainage on the St. Lawrence River. Great Lakes

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Niagara Falls is the common name for three waterfalls on the Niagara River, which separates the US state of New York from the Canadian province of Ontario. Niagara Falls are Horseshoe Falls, sometimes also called Canadian Falls, American Falls and Veil Falls. Although the height difference is not very large, the falls are very wide, and in terms of the volume of water passing through it, Niagara Falls is the most powerful in North America. The height of the waterfalls is 53 meters. The foot of the American Falls is obscured by a heap of stones, which is why its apparent height is only 21 meters. The width of the American Falls is 323 meters, the Horseshoe Falls is 792 meters. The volume of falling water reaches 5700 and more m³/s. MyGeography.com Niagara Falls

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Climate From the Pacific Ocean in the west to the Atlantic in the east, a temperate zone stretches in the southern part of the country. Average January and July temperatures vary for each area. Winters can be very severe in some regions of the country, with average monthly temperatures reaching 15˚C below zero in the southern part of the country, and sometimes as low as -45˚C with strong icy winds. The lowest temperature ever observed in Canada is -63°C (in the Yukon). Annually, the level of snow cover can reach several hundred centimeters (for example, in Quebec, the average is 337 cm). The coast of British Columbia, especially Vancouver Island, is an exception and enjoys a temperate climate with mild and rainy winters. Summer temperatures can reach 35˚C, even 40˚C, given the humidity index.

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Flora Vegetation is represented by: deciduous forests, mixed forests, taiga, tundra, arctic deserts of the North. The northern part of Canada is covered with tundra, which penetrates far to the south. Heather, sedge, shrub birch and willow grow here. To the south of the tundra there is a wide strip of forests. Coniferous forests predominate; the main species are black spruce in the east and white spruce in the west, pine, larch, thuja, etc. Less common deciduous forests consist of poplar, alder, birch and willow. The forests in the Great Lakes region are especially diverse (American elm, Weymouth pine, Canadian train, oak, chestnut, beech). On the Pacific coast, coniferous forests of Douglas, Sitka spruce, Alaskan and red cedar are common); Arbutus and Oregon oak are found near Vancouver. In the coastal Atlantic provinces - Acadian forests with balsam fir, black and red spruce; also cedar, American larch, yellow birch, beech.

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Fauna Reindeer, polar hare, lemming, arctic fox and the original musk musk ox are found in the tundra zone. To the south, the fauna is more diverse - forest caribou deer, red deer, elk, elk, in mountainous areas - bighorn sheep and mountain goat. Rodents are quite numerous: Canadian chikari squirrel, chipmunk, American flying squirrel, beaver, jumper from the jerboa family, muskrat, porcupine - needlewool, meadow and American hare, pika. Of the feline predators for Canada - Canadian lynx and cougar. There are wolves, foxes, a gray bear - a grizzly, a raccoon. Of mustelids - sable, pecan, otter, wolverine, etc. There are many nesting migratory birds and game birds. The fauna of reptiles and amphibians is not rich. There are a lot of fish in freshwater reservoirs.

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Government Canada is a state that is part of the British Commonwealth, and formally the head of state is the Queen of England. The official representative of the Queen in Canada is the Governor General. Canada is a parliamentary federal system with a democratic tradition. Legislative power is represented by the Parliament. Executive power is exercised by Her Majesty's Government, the Privy Council. The queen is the supreme bearer of executive power. Judicial power in the country belongs to the Queen and the Royal Courts.

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Economy Canada is one of the wealthiest countries in the world with a high per capita income and is a member of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the G8. Canada has a mixed economy. The largest importers of Canadian goods are the United States, the United Kingdom and Japan. The Canadian economy is dominated by the service sector. It is a very important resource sector of the economy, in which logging and the oil industry are the most important industries. Canada is one of the few industrialized countries that are net energy exporters. Canada's Atlantic coast has vast offshore natural gas fields and large oil and gas resources. Huge reserves of tar sands make Canada the second largest country in the world in terms of oil reserves after Saudi Arabia. Canada is one of the world's largest suppliers of agricultural products: wheat, rapeseed and other grains. Canada is the largest producer of zinc and uranium and is also a source of many other natural resources such as gold, nickel, aluminum and lead. In Canada, the manufacturing industry is also developed, the industries of which are concentrated in southern Ontario (the automotive industry, represented by American and Japanese factories) and Quebec (the national aerospace industry).

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Population Canada is relatively sparsely populated. The population density (about 3.5 people per 1 km²) is one of the lowest in the world. The population of Canada is about 34 million people. The most populated area of ​​the country is the Quebec-Windsor corridor along the flat banks of the St. Lawrence River and in the southeast of the Great Lakes. The bulk of the population are the descendants of immigrants from Europe: Anglo-Saxons, French Canadians, Germans, Italians, Ukrainians, Dutch, etc. The indigenous population - Indians and Eskimos - were pushed north during colonization.

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Religion Canadians practice a large number of religions. According to the latest census, 77.1% of Canadians consider themselves Christians, most of them are Catholics (43.6% of Canadians). The most important Protestant church is the United Church of Canada (Calvinists); approximately 17% of Canadians do not associate themselves with any religion, and the rest of the population (6.3%) professes religions other than Christianity (most often Islam).

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Administrative divisions Canada is currently divided into 10 provinces and 3 territories. The newest administrative unit of Canada is the territory of Nunavut (created in 1999). A province and a territory differ in the degree of their autonomy. The powers are actually transferred to the provinces by the Constitutional Act.

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Major cities Toronto is the largest city in Canada, located at the intersection of water and land routes. Population - 2518 thousand inhabitants. The cities of Toronto, Brampton, Mississauga, Markham, and others form the Greater Toronto agglomeration (GTA) with a population of 5,715,000. About 1/3 of Canada's population lives in Toronto and its environs. Montreal is the oldest city in the country and the largest city in the province of Quebec with a population of 1,812,800. Mostly French Canadians live in the city, which is why the city is called "French Canada" or "Paris of North America". Montreal is the industrial center of the country, as well as its huge transportation hub. Montreal is a major river port. Vancouver is located in southwestern Canada, on the border with the United States. The population of the city itself is 600,000 people. (2006), but in Greater Vancouver, if you count more than 20 suburbs, there are more than 2 million people. Vancouver is the largest port on the west coast of Canada and one of the largest business and industrial centers in the world. Calgary. Population - 1,230,248 people. According to 2002 data, Calgary ranks 31st in terms of living standards among 130 major cities in the world, and in 2002 it was recognized as the cleanest city on the planet. It is believed that here is the cleanest water, the freshest air and the bluest sky. The city has more than 8,000 hectares of parks, 460 km of alleys and rivers.

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Ottawa Ottawa is the capital of Canada. Ottawa is the fourth largest city in the country and ranks sixth in terms of living standards in the world. Ottawa is located on the banks of the Ottawa River and on the Rideau Canal. The city was founded in the 1820s. Until 1855 it was called Bytown. Since 1867 the capital of Canada. Population 875 thousand inhabitants. City government is exercised by the municipal council headed by the mayor. The climate is temperate continental. The average January temperature is −11 °C, July 20.3 °C. Precipitation 873 mm per year. The appearance of Ottawa is characterized by an abundance of water and greenery, a chess system of streets associated with a developed system of park roads. Residential buildings are mainly two-story.

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Culture Many elements of Canadian culture are very similar to US culture, including film, television, clothing, housing, private transportation, consumer goods, and food. Despite this, Canada has its own unique culture. In commemoration of Canada's diversity of peoples, the country has had a multicultural policy since the 1960s. In Canadian cities, elements from cultures around the world can be found; in many cities there are quarters with a predominance of some national minority (for example, Chinese, Italian, Portuguese quarters in Toronto and Montreal), festivals dedicated to the cultures of different countries are regularly held. The maritime provinces preserve the Celtic folklore of the Irish and Scots, which at the same time blends well with the Gallo-Romance themes of Celtic Gaul, prevailing in Acadia and Quebec. The influence of the indigenous population of Canada is also noticeable: in many places you can find huge totem poles and other works of art of the indigenous peoples. The francophone population of Canada stands out significantly. It gives special specificity to the character of Canada; Montreal is the most important center of French-speaking culture in America.

Canada occupies the northern part of the North American continent and some islands. It borders on the USA.

The country is washed by the Pacific Ocean in the west, by the Atlantic Ocean in the east and by the Arctic Ocean and its seas in the north. The Canadian north remains one of the least settled and least exploited parts of the world. About 2 percent of the Canadian territory is covered by glacier ice.

The eastern parts of the country are mainly valleys and plains. The western territories are occupied by the Cordilleras. They stretch from the American border to the Arctic Ocean. The Cordillera region is composed of numerous mountain groups: the Rocky Mountains, the Coast Mountains and others.

The main Canadian islands are Newfoundland, Victorian Island, Baffin Island and others. There are a lot of rivers and lakes in Canada. Among them there are the Great Bear Lake, the Great Slave Lake and the Great Lakes District. The largest rivers are the Nelson, the Ottawa, the Mackenzie and the Yukon.

The population of Canada is about 25 million people. It is mainly concentrated in large cities. The economically significant area of ​​the country is its western part. Canada is rich in mineral resources, such as non-ferrous metals, uranium, oil, natural gas and coal. It is also exceptionally rich in forests and fur-bearing animals. All these factors led Canada to the position of a highly-developed country.

Geographic location of Canada

Canada occupies the northern part of the North American continent and some islands. It borders on the USA.

The country is washed by the Pacific Ocean in the west, the Atlantic Ocean in the east and the Arctic Ocean and its seas in the north. The Canadian north continues to be one of the least populated and least exploited parts of the world. About two percent of Canadian territory is covered by glaciers.

The eastern part of the country is mainly valleys and plains. The western territories are occupied by the Cordillera. They stretch from the American border to the Arctic Ocean. The Cordillera region consists of numerous groups of mountains: the Rocky Mountains, the Coastal Mountains and others.

The main Canadian islands are Newfoundland, Victoria, Baffin Island and others. There are many rivers and lakes in Canada. Among them are Great Bear Lake, Great Slave Lake and the Great Lakes region. The largest rivers are the Nelson, Ottawa, Mackenzie and Yukon.

The population of Canada is about 25 million people. It is mainly concentrated in large cities. The economically significant territory of the country is its western part. Canada is rich in mineral resources such as base metals, uranium, oil, natural gas and coal. In addition, it is exceptionally rich in forests and fur-bearing animals. All these factors have led Canada to the position of a highly developed country.

Canada See Appendix 1 is the second largest country in the world (10 million sq. km.), surpassed in size only by Russia. Canada occupies 1/12 of the earth's land and has the longest coastline, equal to 3 equators. Canada is located in North America. It borders the United States to the south and northwest, the US land border being considered the longest unguarded border in the world. The "border" with Russia is the shortest, as it is just a mathematical point - the North Pole, where the borders of the polar sectors of these countries converge. In the north, Canada is washed by the Arctic Ocean. To the northeast by Baffin Bay and Davis Strait, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, and to the west by the Pacific Ocean.

Canada's climate varies from temperate in the south to arctic in the north.

Although most of the land is occupied by lakes and lowlands overgrown with forests, Canada also has mountain ranges, plains and even a small desert. The Great Plains, or prairies, cover Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and parts of Alberta. Now it is the main agricultural land of the country. Western Canada is known for its Rocky Mountains, while to the east are the country's most important cities, as well as Niagara Falls, the Canadian Shield, an ancient mountainous region formed over 2.5 billion years ago. years ago, covers most of the north of the country. In the arctic region, only tundra can be found, which breaks up into islands to the north, covered with ice almost all year round.

The highest point in Canada is Mount Logan at 5,950 meters above sea level.

Physical and geographical position of Canada:

In physical and geographical terms, Canada is divided into five main parts: the Appalachian-Acadian region (southeast of the country), the Canadian Shield, the Interior Lowlands, the Great Plains (in the center) and the Cordillera (in the west). The territory of the country is a complex geological structure, where there are rocks of various ages. Next to the oldest geological formation, which is the Canadian Shield, there are young mountains - the Cordillera.

More than half of the country's territory is occupied by the Laurentian Plateau, which is part of the Canadian Shield. This is the oldest part of Canadian land, covered by a glacier in the recent past and still bearing traces of glaciation: smoothed rocks, moraines, chains of lakes. The plateau is a gently undulating plain. This is the most severe and uninhabited part of the country, but with huge reserves of minerals.

From the north and south, the plateau is surrounded by large lowlands - the Interior Plains, the Laurentian Lowland and the lowlands of the Hudson Strait, which represent a characteristic picture of the Canadian landscape and brought Canada the glory of a country of boundless expanses with favorable natural conditions.

In spring, the boundless expanse of the steppes is covered with a green carpet, in summer - golden, and in winter - a white blanket. Such steppes are mainly located in the southern parts of the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, which is why these provinces are called steppe. The Laurentian lowland is located in the most favorable climatic conditions - a temperate climate and fertile soils. That is why the main economic region of the country is located here.

In the southeast of the country lie the Appalachian Mountains, an ancient mountain system rich in minerals like our Urals. Their average height does not exceed 600 m. The Appalachians are covered with dense forests. To the northwest of the Appalachians is the Canadian Shield, which consists of granites and gneisses. There are many swamps, lakes, rapids rivers. From the west and south, the shield is bordered by a chain of lakes - from the Great Bear Lake to the Great Lakes. The Canadian Shield Region is a harsh and sparsely populated part of the country.

West of the Canadian Shield are the Great Plains. Their southern part - the Interior Lowlands - is the breadbasket of Canada (75% of the country's cultivated land). In the western part of Canada on the Pacific coast is one of the greatest and most beautiful mountain systems in the world - the Cordillera, stretching for 2.5 thousand km from north to south and 750 km from west to east. Within Canada, they are subdivided into the Rocky Mountains (in the east), the Coast Range (in the west), and the plateau that lies between them. The height of the mountains is 2000-3000 m above sea level. These relatively young mountains are also rich in minerals, most of which are exploited.

Economic and geographical position of Canada:

Canada occupies most of the North of North America. 75% of the territory is the zone of the north. Canada has a common land border with the United States in the south and northwest (between Alaska and Yukon) and stretches from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west and the Arctic Ocean in the north. It also shares maritime borders with France (Saint Pierre and Miquelon) and Denmark (Greenland). Since 1925 Canada has owned part of the Arctic between 60? h.d. and 141? z.d., however, these possessions are not generally recognized.

The USA is a developed state. It ranks fourth in the world in terms of territory. The United States borders in the south with Mexico, and also has a maritime border with Russia. The US has the largest economy in the world. Many natural resources, including energy and raw materials. High-tech production. Developed scientific research. The service sector is well developed and the industry is competitive.

The country's transport system includes more than 1.1 million kilometers of roads, ten major international and about three hundred regional and local airports, 72,093 kilometers of railways and more than 300 commercial seaports providing access to the waters of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic Oceans , the waters of the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River. In 2005, the country's transport sector revenue accounted for 4.2% of Canada's GDP, up 0.5% from oil and natural gas revenues.

Canada can be divided into 7 physiographic regions. Arctic mountains. Most of Ellesmere Island and the northeast coast of Baffin Island is occupied by a series of high mountains and steep slopes. This region is high latitude and extremely cold. The surface is bound by permafrost, in most of the territory - ice sheets.

Laurentian (Canadian) shield. The territory of this region is characterized by outcrops of ancient crystalline bedrocks. Local landforms are a legacy of the Ice Age. As the massive ice sheets retreated northward, they cleared and smoothed the surface. There are thousands of lakes within this area, with Hudson Bay in the center. The entire region, which has the shape of a circle, covers almost half of Canada (4.6 million km). The area is extremely rich in mineral resources; deposits of almost all elements of the periodic table have been found here.

Appalachian mountains. The Maritime Provinces and the insular Newfoundland represent the northernmost edge of the Appalachian system, which runs through the eastern United States into Canada. This is a mountainous region of ancient rocks.

Interior Plains. Bordering the Canadian Shield to the west, this region of plains and gently undulating terrain extends from the United States into the Steppe Provinces and continues northwest to the Pacific coast. The Canadian Shield and the Interior Plains are an area of ​​low relief that covers approximately 60% of Canada and the United States.

The Rocky Mountains rise sharply along the western edge of the Interior Plains. In contrast to the gently undulating plains, the Rocky Mountains have peaks often exceeding 3,000 meters.

Intermountain regions. To the west is a relatively narrow corridor of plateaus and valleys that separates the Rocky Mountains from the mountain ranges along the Pacific coast. This area, extremely complex in geological terms, is a labyrinth of plateaus, low ridges and valleys.

Pacific mountain system. The western edge of the continent is a mountainous country stretching from Alaska through the Yukon Territory and British Columbia to the Sierra Nevada in Southern California.

The climatic regions of Canada and Russia are very similar. In the North, the tundra region extends from the Canadian archipelago through the Ungava Peninsula east of Hudson Bay and ends on the Atlantic coast of Newfoundland. South of the tundra is a vast subarctic climate region running from the Yukon and the Northwest Territories east across the country to Hudson Bay and continuing into the Gulf of St. Lawrence. In the south, this zone reaches the northern shore of Lake Superior. To the south of the subarctic belt there is an area of ​​humid continental climate, spreading through the southern part of the Steppe provinces and through the Great Lakes region to the Maritime provinces. However, all natural zones in Canada are shifted to the south compared to Russia (especially its European part). The fact is that instead of the warm Gulf Stream, its eastern shores are washed by the cold Labrador Current, and the North Pole, according to scientists, in the distant past was located on the territory of present-day Canada, where the Earth's north magnetic pole still remains. Here in much more southern latitudes than ours - sometimes even in Montreal! - you can see the northern lights. The climate in Montreal is about the same as in Moscow, although Montreal, like the capital, Ottawa, is located at the latitude of Simferopol. And at the latitude of Moscow in eastern Canada - already the tundra. As in Russia, approximately 70% of Canada's territory is usually attributed to the region of the North.

Political and geographical position of Canada:

Canada is a federal state that occupies most of the mainland of North America and the adjacent numerous islands. Today, Canada is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system, a bilingual and multicultural country where English and French are recognized as official languages ​​at the federal level.

It is washed by the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic oceans, borders on the USA in the south and in the northwest, with Denmark (Greenland) and France (Saint Pierre and Miquelon) in the northeast. Canada's border with the United States is the longest common border in the world. Capital of Canada Ottawa.

Over the past 60 years, Canada has become an advocate for diversity, working with other countries to resolve international conflicts.

As a founding member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Canada has a non-nuclear defensive military. There are currently 62,000 permanent military personnel in service and 26,000 personnel in reserve. The Canadian armed forces are made up of infantry, navy and air force. Most of the armament includes 1,500 infantry fighting vehicles, 34 warships and 861 aircraft.

Canada participated in the First and Second World Wars on the side of the Allies. She also participated in the Korean War on the side of the United States. Canada has been active in international missions under UN and NATO command since 1950, including peacekeeping operations, various missions in the former Yugoslavia, and supported Coalition forces in the 1st Gulf War. Since 2001, Canada has had a contingent in Afghanistan in partnership with the US Stabilization Force and the NATO International Force, supported by the UN. The emergency response team participated in three important rescue operations following the December 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia, after Hurricane Katrina in September 2005 on the American coast, and after the October 2005 Kashmir earthquake.

Canada consists of ten provinces and three territories See Appendix 2. The newest administrative unit of Canada is the Nunavut Territory (created in 1999).

The provinces are states that exist under the Canadian constitution and have supreme power within their jurisdiction, independent of the federal government.

The Canadian territories are administrative divisions administered by the Canadian federal Parliament, which, by ordinary law, grants certain powers to their local administrations.

The ten modern provinces are Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Saskatchewan. Three territories: Nunavut, Northwest Territories and Yukon.