Geography and climate

A satellite composite image of Canada. Boreal forests prevail throughout the country, ice is prominent in the Arctic and through the Coast Mountains and Saint Elias Mountains, and the relatively flat Prairies facilitate agriculture. The Great Lakes feed the St. Lawrence River (in the southeast) where lowlands host much of Canada's population.

Canada occupies most of the northern portion of North America. It shares land borders with the contiguous United States to the south and with the US state of Alaska to the northwest, stretching from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west; to the north lies the Arctic Ocean. Since 1925, Canada has claimed the portion of the Arctic between 60°W and 141°W longitude; this claim is not universally recognized. The northernmost settlement in Canada (and in the world) is Canadian Forces Station (CFS) Alert on the northern tip of Ellesmere Island—latitude 82.5°N—just 817 kilometres (450 nautical miles) from the North Pole. Canada is the world's second-largest country in total area, after Russia.

The population density of 3.5 people per square kilometre (9.1/mi²) is among the lowest in the world. The most densely populated part of the country is the Quebec City-Windsor Corridor along the Great Lakes and Saint Lawrence River in the southeast. To the north of this region is the broad Canadian Shield, an area of rock scoured clean by the last ice age, thinly soiled, rich in minerals, and dotted with lakes and rivers—Canada by far has more lakes than any other country in the world and has a large amount of the world's freshwater.

The Horseshoe Falls in Ontario is the largest component of Niagara Falls, one of the world's greatest waterfalls, a major source of hydroelectric power, and a tourist destination.

In eastern Canada, the Saint Lawrence River widens into the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, the world's largest estuary; the island of Newfoundland lies at its mouth. South of the Gulf, the Canadian Maritimes protrude eastward from the Gaspé Peninsula of Quebec. New Brunswick and Nova Scotia are divided by the Bay of Fundy, which experiences the world's largest tidal variations. Ontario and Hudson Bay dominate central Canada. West of Ontario, the broad, flat Canadian Prairies spread toward the Rocky Mountains, which separate them from British Columbia.

Northern Canadian vegetation tapers from coniferous forests to tundra and finally to Arctic barrens in the far north. The northern Canadian mainland is ringed with a vast archipelago containing some of the world's largest islands.

Average winter and summer high temperatures across Canada range depending on the location. Winters can be harsh in many regions of the country, particularly in the Prairie provinces, where daily average temperatures are near −15 °C (5 °F), but can drop below -40 °C (-40 °F) with severe wind chills. Coastal British Columbia is an exception and enjoys a temperate climate with a mild and rainy winter.

Average summer high temperatures across Canada range depending on the location. On the east and west coast average high temperatures are generally in the low 20s °C (68 to 74 °F), while between the coasts the average summer high temperature range between 25 °C to 30 °C (78 to 86 °F) with occasional extreme heat in some interior locations exceeding 40 °C (104 °F).

ANNOTATIONS

revenue – доход, выручка, opt out – не принимать участия, unicameral – однопалатный, boreal – северный, арктический, prominent – рельефный, facilitate – содействовать, продвигать, contiguous – граничащий, estuary – устье, protrude – простираться, barren – бесплодная земля, mainland – континент, материк, archipelago – архипелаг, группа островов

Comprehension Check Exercises

I. Fill in the blank with the correct word:

1. The provinces of Canada are Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, ….

2. The provinces are responsible for most of Canada's social programs such as ….

3. The Great Lakes feed the St. Lawrence River (in the southeast) where … host much of Canada's population.

4. To the north of this region is the broad Canadian Shield, an area of rock scoured clean by the last ice age, thinly soiled, rich in minerals, and dotted ….

5. In eastern Canada, the Saint Lawrence River widens into the Gulf of Saint Lawrence ….

6. Coastal British Columbia is an exception and enjoys a temperate climate with a mild and ….

II. Find out whether the statement is true or false according to the information in the text:

1. The provinces and the territories have an equal degree of autonomy from the federal government.

2. The federal government can initiate national policies in provincial areas, such as the Canada Health Act; the provinces cannot opt out of these.

3. Boreal forests prevail throughout the country.

4. Canada occupies most of the northern portion of South America.

5. Canada is the world's second-largest country in total area.

6. The population density of 3.5 people per square kilometre (9.1/mi²) is among the highest in the world.

7. Canada by far has more lakes than any other country in the world and has a large amount of the world's freshwater.

III. Questions:

1. What is Canada composed of?

2. What is its geographical position?

3. Name the largest component of Niagara Falls.

4. Where does the island of Newfoundland lie?

IV. Do you remember?

1. How many provinces and territories are there in Canada?

2. Describe the climate of Canada.

Дата добавления: 2015-07-20