Topic - Natural Environments and Industries

People and Environments: Political and Physical Regions of Canada Unit: People and Environments: Political and Physical Regions of Canada Topic – Natural Environments and Industries

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Natural Environments and Industries

Here is a coal mine train in Banff National Park, Alberta

Canada is a large country that contains several different types of natural environment. For example, the Canadian Shield is made up of rocky land, the Maritime provinces have a coastline along the Atlantic Ocean, and many areas of Canada are covered by forests.

An industry is made up of groups of similar businesses. For example, all the businesses that dig into the ground to collect useful materials (such as gas, oil, coal, and metals) make up the mining industry. All the factories that make things (such as cars, refrigerators, and clothes) make up the manufacturing industry. There are several different kinds of industries in Canada.

The type of natural environment in a region affects what kinds of industries develop in that region. Below are some examples.

A part of the Canadian Shield in Georgian Bay, Ontario

• Metals are found in rock. The Canadian Shield is made of rock. Part of Canada’s mining industry developed in the area covered by the Canadian Shield.

Here are lobster traps in a Prince Edward Island harbour

Small fishing boats in Prince Edward Island

• Many different types of fish live in the Atlantic Ocean. The Maritime provinces have a coastline along the Atlantic Ocean. A strong fishing industry developed in the Maritime provinces.

A large stack of timber that will be made into pulp at a factory

A large paper mill in British Columbia

• The pulp and paper industry takes wood from trees and turns it into a thick paste called pulp. The pulp is used to make paper and cardboard. Canada’s pulp and paper industry developed in provinces where there are large areas of forest.

Industries often develop in regions where the natural environment provides the materials they need.