Canada’s Regions

Deep Dive

Explore the diverse regions of Canada, their geographical features, and key characteristics.

Overview

Size: Second largest country on earth (10 million sq km)
Borders: Pacific Ocean (west), Atlantic Ocean (east), Arctic Ocean (north), USA (south), Alaska (northwest)
Commitment: Safe, secure, and efficient frontier with the USA and Alaska

Geographical Areas: Five Distinct Regions

The Atlantic Provinces
Central Canada
The Prairie Provinces
The West Coast
The Northern Territories

The National Capital

Ottawa: Chosen as the capital in 1857 by Queen Victoria; fourth largest metropolitan area
National Capital Region: 4,700 sq km surrounding Ottawa, preserves and enhances the area’s built heritage and natural environment

Provinces and Territories

Total: Ten provinces and three territories
Each Capital City: Each has its own capital city
Canada’s Capital: Ottawa

Population

34 Million People: Majority live in cities, also in small towns and rural areas

Provinces, Territories, and Their Capitals

Atlantic Provinces

Newfoundland and Labrador: Capital - St. John’s
Prince Edward Island: Capital - Charlottetown
Nova Scotia: Capital - Halifax
New Brunswick: Capital - Fredericton

Central Canada

Quebec: Capital - Québec City
Ontario: Capital - Toronto

Prairie Provinces

Manitoba: Capital - Winnipeg
Saskatchewan: Capital - Regina
Alberta: Capital - Edmonton

West Coast

British Columbia: Capital - Victoria

Northern Territories

Nunavut: Capital - Iqaluit
Northwest Territories: Capital - Yellowknife
Yukon: Capital - Whitehorse

The Regions in Detail

The Atlantic Provinces

Natural Resources: Fishing, farming, forestry, mining
Climate: Cool winters, cool humid summers

Newfoundland and Labrador

Location: Easternmost point in North America, unique heritage linked to the sea
Economy: Fisheries, off-shore oil and gas, hydro-electric resources
Historical Significance: Oldest colony of the British Empire, strategic prize in Canada's early history

Prince Edward Island

Features: Smallest province, known for beaches, red soil, agriculture (potatoes)
Significance: Connected by Confederation Bridge, birthplace of Confederation
Cultural Reference: Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery

Nova Scotia

Population: Most populous Atlantic province, gateway to Canada
Key Industries: Shipbuilding, fisheries, shipping, off-shore oil and gas
Notable Features: Home to Canada's largest naval base, over 700 annual festivals including the Halifax military tattoo

New Brunswick

Geography: Appalachian Range, founded by United Empire Loyalists
Bilingual: Only officially bilingual province
Industries: Forestry, agriculture, fisheries, mining, tourism
Cultural Significance: Pioneer Loyalist and French cultural heritage

Central Canada

Significance: Industrial and manufacturing heartland near Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River
Climate: Cold winters, warm humid summers

Quebec

Population: Nearly 8 million people, majority speak French
Key Industries: Forestry, energy, mining, hydro-electricity, pharmaceuticals, aeronautics
Cultural Significance: Quebec films, music, literary works, and food have international stature
Notable City: Montreal, famous for its cultural diversity

Ontario

Population: Over 12 million people, diverse economy
Largest City: Toronto (financial centre)
Notable Regions: Niagara region (vineyards, wines, fruit crops)
Cultural Significance: Largest French-speaking population outside of Quebec, five Great Lakes located between Ontario and the U.S.A.

The Prairie Provinces

Resources: Rich in energy resources and fertile farmland
Climate: Dry, cold winters, hot summers

Manitoba

Economy: Agriculture, mining, hydro-electric power
Largest City: Winnipeg
Cultural Significance: Important centre of Ukrainian culture, largest Aboriginal population of any province

Saskatchewan

Nickname: 'Breadbasket of the world,' largest producer of grains and oilseeds
Resources: Rich in uranium and potash, produces oil and natural gas
Notable City: Regina, home to the training academy of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Alberta

Population: Most populous Prairie province
Key Industries: Oil and gas, agriculture, tourism
Notable Features: Five national parks, Banff National Park established in 1885, world-famous Lake Louise

The West Coast

Province: British Columbia
Features: Majestic mountains, Pacific gateway, temperate climate

British Columbia

Population: 4 million
Key Industries: Forestry, mining, fishing, fruit orchards, wine industry
Notable Features: Home to the most extensive park system in Canada, large Asian communities

The Northern Territories

Territories: Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon
Land Mass: One-third of Canada’s land mass, population
Resources: Gold, lead, copper, diamond, zinc, oil, and gas deposits
Climate: Long cold winters, short cool summers, tundra landscape

Yukon

History: Known for Gold Rush, mining, tourism (White Pass and Yukon Railway)
Record: Coldest temperature in Canada (-63°C)

Northwest Territories

Capital: Yellowknife, 'diamond capital of North America'
Population: Significant Aboriginal population
Geographical Feature: Mackenzie River, second-longest river system in North America

Nunavut

Established: 1999, meaning 'our land'
Capital: Iqaluit
Population: 85% Inuit
Cultural Significance: Inuit art sold throughout Canada and around the world

Key Points to Remember

Size: Canada is the second largest country on earth, covering 10 million square kilometres.
Borders: Three oceans border Canada
Commitment: Canada has a safe and efficient frontier with the USA and Alaska.
Geographical Regions: Canada is divided into five distinct geographical regions
National Capital: Ottawa, the national capital, was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1857.
Provinces and Territories: Canada consists of ten provinces and three territories, each with its own capital city.
Population: Canada has a population of about 34 million people, with the majority living in cities.

Key Dates to Remember

1857: Queen Victoria chose Ottawa as the capital.
1885: Establishment of Banff National Park.
1890s: Yukon Gold Rush.
1900: Opening of the White Pass and Yukon Railway.
1999: Establishment of Nunavut.

Summary Points

Vast Geography: Canada's vast geography includes diverse regions with distinct features and climates.
Atlantic Provinces: The Atlantic Provinces are known for their natural resources and historical significance.
Central Canada: Central Canada is the industrial and manufacturing heartland.
Prairie Provinces: The Prairie Provinces are rich in energy resources and fertile farmland.
West Coast: The West Coast is known for its majestic mountains and as a gateway to the Pacific.
Northern Territories: The Northern Territories are sparsely populated but rich in natural resources and have unique cultural and climatic characteristics.

Ottawa’s Rideau Canal, once a military waterway, is now a tourist attraction and winter skateway

Photo Credit: Stock image

Peggy’s Cove harbour, Nova Scotia

Photo Credit: Stock image

Banff National Park

Photo Credit: Stock image

Hopewell Rocks, Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick

Photo Credit: Canadian Tourism Commission

Mount Logan, located in the Yukon, is the highest mountain in Canada. Named after Sir William Logan, a renowned geologist born in Montreal in 1798 to Scottish immigrant parents, Logan founded and directed the Geological Survey of Canada from 1842 to 1869 and is considered one of Canada’s greatest scientists.

Photo Credit: Natural Resources Canada

The Canadian Rangers, part of the Canadian Forces Reserves (militia), play a crucial role in addressing security and sovereignty challenges in Canada’s vast North. Utilizing indigenous knowledge and experience, they navigate harsh weather conditions and isolated regions. The Rangers travel by snowmobile in winter and all-terrain vehicles in summer, covering areas from Resolute to the Magnetic North Pole, ensuring the Canadian presence in the Arctic.

Photo Credit: National Defence

An Inuit boy in Sanikiluaq, Nunavut, uses a pellet gun to hunt for birds

Photo Credit: Clarkework Orange Photography

The caribou (reindeer) is popular game for hunters and a symbol of Canada’s North

Photo Credit: David Cartier

Understanding Canada’s Regions

Deep Dive