Canada's population, geographic location and climate. Geographic location of Canada. Features of natural conditions

Canada is the second largest state on the planet after the Russian Federation. The northern outskirts of the country are beyond the Arctic Circle, in the south it borders on the United States. The majority of the population of Canada lives in the southern regions of the state, as there climatic conditions are more convenient for life. In the northern regions, the population density is quite low.

Basic information about Canada

The political system of the state is a constitutional monarchy. Nominally, the country is ruled by the Queen of Great Britain, in fact, by the Canadian Parliament headed by the Prime Minister. Officially, the state did not declare its full independence, just like Australia. The area of ​​the country is 9984 thousand square meters. km. The population of Canada is 34 million people. The state capital is Ottawa. Canada is a federal country made up of ten provinces and three territories. There are two official languages: English and French. Canada's economy is diversified, based on the trade in natural resources.

Geographical position

Canada is the only country in the world whose shores are washed by three oceans - the Pacific, the Atlantic, and the Arctic. For this reason, it has a very long coastline. In the south, the state borders on the United States, and in the north it deepens beyond the Arctic Circle. The highest point in the country is the city of Logan, located in northwestern Canada at an altitude of 5961 m.

The rocky Pacific coast is indented by fjords and fenced off from the main territory by the St. Elijah mountain range, the Beregovoy and Boundari ridges. Prairie stretches from the southern borders to the Atlantic. On the coast of the Atlantic Ocean there are hills and vast plains. The Hudson Bay region and the entire polar territory of the country are represented by large plains, on which there are several thousand swampy rivers and lakes.

Climate of Canada

The climate in the country is mostly temperate and subarctic. The average temperature in January ranges from minus 35 degrees in the northern regions of Canada to +4 on the Pacific coast, which is located in the south. The average July temperature in the southern regions is +21, and in the north +1 degree. In Canada, annual rainfall ranges from 150 mm in the north to 2500 mm in the south.

The climate of the country is quite diverse, and this is due to the large area of ​​the country. In a huge part of Canada, the climate is continental, in the extreme west and east it is maritime, and in the south it is subtropical. In most of the country, 4 seasons are clearly expressed: winter, spring, summer, autumn. Climatic conditions and temperatures vary in many regions depending on the seasons. In winter it is quite cold, and in summer it is very hot. In Canada, the temperature is officially measured in Celsius, unlike the same United States, where the Fahrenheit scale is used.

Population of the country

Canada's population density is quite low. The country is characterized by uneven distribution. In the vast territory of the northern regions, the density is no more than one person per 5-10 square meters. km. The main population of Canada (more than 90%) lives on a small strip that runs along the border with the States. This area, with its temperate climate, is more convenient for normal life.

The total population of Canada is a little over 30 million. The bulk are the descendants of European settlers: Anglo-Saxons, Germans, French-Canadians, Italians, Dutch, Ukrainians, etc. The indigenous people of the country - Indians and Eskimos - during the period of colonization were forced out to the northern regions. At the moment, their total number is just over 200 thousand and continues to gradually decrease.

The main population of Canada is represented by Anglo-Canadians and French-Canadians. This is due to the fact that it was England and France who fought among themselves for the colonization of this country. The rest of the nationalities inhabiting Canada are quite small.

Religion and linguistic features

More than 80% is the Christian population of Canada. Of these, 45% are Catholics, 11.5% are parishioners of the United Church of Canada, 1% are Orthodox, and 8.1% are adherents of the Anglican and other Protestant churches. Slightly more than 10% of Canadians profess Baptism, Adventism, Lutheranism and other Christian denominations. Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus - all together occupy 4% of the total population. The unbelieving population of Canada is 12.5%.

The country has adopted the concept of bilingualism. Government publications are printed in English and French. The latter is most common in the province of Quebec. At the moment, the total proportion of residents of French origin is approximately 27% of the total population, British - 40%. The remaining 33% is a group that includes residents of mixed origin: Anglo-French and a mixture of speakers of these languages ​​​​with the indigenous population, as well as people of other European nationalities. Recently, many Asians and Hispanics have moved to Canada.

Economic and geographical characteristics of the countries of North America on the example of Canada

1.1 Geographic location of Canada

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 the east contains 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.

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In the section on the question of the economic and geographical position of Canada according to the plan. Help me please! given by the author Kosovorotka the best answer is Canada is the second largest country in the world, located in the northern part of North America and on numerous adjacent islands. It borders on the USA. The western coast is washed by the waters of the Pacific Ocean, the northern coast by the Arctic Ocean, and the eastern coast by the Atlantic Ocean. Canada is a highly developed industrial and agricultural country. It occupies one of the leading places in the world in the extraction of potassium, nickel, zinc, silver, lead, copper, uranium oxide. The main industries are metallurgy (ferrous and non-ferrous), oil refining, pulp and paper. Developed machine-building complex. Agriculture is diversified. The main direction of agriculture is the cultivation of cereals (wheat, barley, oats). Livestock breeding is dominated by meat and dairy and woolen types of cattle breeding.
Canada - refers to the countries of the resettlement type. The modern population of the country was formed under the influence of a constant influx of immigrants from around the world. Its population is 32.2 million people, of which 44% are Anglo-Canadians, 28% are French-Canadians. The two official languages ​​are English and French.
A significant part of Canada is covered with tundra and taiga forests.


Content.

Introduction.

The main object of consideration in my course work, I chose the country of Canada. The purpose of this work is to study and most complete consideration of all the geopolitical characteristics of this state.
According to the goal, the following tasks are defined.
Consider:

    The geographical position of Canada;
    Socio-economic development;
    Canada's role in the international arena.
Why am I interested in this particular country?
In accordance with the annual statistics of the UN, for several decades Canada has been among the top five countries in the world that are considered the best in the world to live in terms of a combination of the most important criteria: general standard of living, ecology, culture and art, education, crime rate, etc. In addition :
    Canada is one of the most environmentally friendly countries in the world;
    Canada is one of the wealthiest countries in the world with a high per capita income;
    Canada is one of the few countries in the world that, in accordance with its immigration policy, makes it quite easy and legal to obtain a residence permit for people who do not have close relatives in Canada, which is a good help for obtaining a second citizenship.
This information undoubtedly allows us to draw a conclusion about Canada as a state that cares about its citizens and their living conditions.
In the course of studying this country, I will try to reveal in detail all aspects of the formation, development and existence of the state, both in general and in certain segments.

Chapter I. Geopolitical position of Canada.

1.1. Description.

Area - 9976.19 thousand square meters. km.
Population -34 million people (2010).
The capital is Ottawa.
The official languages ​​are English and French.
Canada is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system, which is a bilingual and multicultural country where English and French are recognized as official languages ​​at the federal level. A technologically advanced and industrialized nation, Canada has a diversified economy based on rich natural resources and trade (particularly with the United States, with which Canada has been cooperating comprehensively since the existence of the colonies and the founding of the Confederation). one
Canada is currently a federal state consisting of 10 provinces and 3 territories. 2 The predominantly French-speaking province is Quebec, the rest are predominantly English-speaking provinces, also referred to as "English Canada" in comparison to French-speaking Quebec.

1.2. Geographic location of Canada.

Canada is a state in North America, ranks second in the world in terms of area and has a total area of 9976 thousand sq. km. It is washed by the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic Oceans, borders the USA in the south and northwest, Denmark (Greenland) in the northeast and France (Saint Pierre and Miquelon) in the east (see Fig. 1). Canada's border with the United States is the longest common border in the world.
Canada occupies most of the North of North America. 75% percent of the territory is the zone of the north. Most of the country is located in the same geographic latitudes as the CIS. The extreme south of Canada lies on the same latitude as Georgia, and the islands of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago are located at a distance of about 1000 km from the North Pole.

1.3. History reference.

The diversity of modern Canada is not only a consequence of its geographical diversity, but also the result of a complex historical path that the country has passed from the 16th to the 20th centuries. We cannot agree with the famous phrase of the former Prime Minister of Canada Mackenzie King: “We have too much geography and too little history…”. No, the history of this country is rich and contains many exciting pages.
About 25 thousand years ago, the territory of Canada was inhabited by the ancestors of the Indians who moved from Asia through the land isthmus that existed then on the site of the Bering Strait, and much later - 6 thousand years ago - the Eskimos appeared in its Arctic part. The first Europeans arrived in Canada in 1000 year, at the same time there was a Norman settlement on the island of Newfoundland. It lasted a little over a year. Later 5 centuries, English, French and Portuguese fishing boats began to sail to the shores of Canada, where the sea abounds with fish. IN 1497 year italian John Cabot(1443-1498), who was in the English service, reached the island of Newfoundland. pioneer"Routes to Canada" - the Gulf and the St. Lawrence River - is considered a French navigator Jacques Cartier(1491-1557). King Francis I of France (Francois I) sent him to the New World in search of gold and a sea passage to Asia. In 1534, Jacques Cartier explored and mapped St. Lawrence Bay. A year later, he went up the St. Lawrence River on 3 ships to the Indian village of Stadakony, declared the surrounding lands to be the possessions of the French crown and called them Canada (in the Iroquois language, this simply meant "village"). Later, a lot of gold was found in Canada, and more recently, diamonds, but at that early time in Canadian history, furs turned out to be the main wealth of the country, First of all, the precious fur of the Canadian beaver.
In 1608, Samuel de Champlain (1567-1635) - a French explorer of North America and the first governor of Canada - founded the oldest city of Quebec (in the language of the Iroquois Indians, the word "Quebec" means "where the river narrows"). He was the first of the Europeans to climb up the Huron River, explore their banks and make an alliance with the Indian tribe of the Hurons. IN 1663 Canada officially became a colony of France. By the end 17 century lived in Canada over three thousand French settlers.
In turn, England 1670 founded the Hudson's Bay Company and transferred to it full rights to trade in the Canadian region. IN 1745 In the same year, the British captured a French fort in Nova Scotia. So the rivalry for the territory of Canada grew into hostilities. The turning point in the course of hostilities occurred during the victory over the French troops in 1759 year in Quebec. As signed in 1763 In the year of the Paris Agreement, New France passed into the possession of the English throne.
During the American Revolutionary War, more than 50,000 Loyalists moved to Canada. After that, a clear border was established between Canada and the United States.
In the war of 1812-1814 between England and the United States, Canada became the main battlefield. As a result of England's victory, Canada remained under the rule of the English throne. IN 1867 Canada received the right to create its own government, but without leaving the British Empire. This meant that Canada received the long-awaited independence and became known as the Dominion of Canada.
During World War I, Canada sided with Great Britain. In addition, Canada became a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. During World War II, Canada fought against Nazi Germany.
In the post-war period, thanks to the flow of emigrants from around the world, Canada experienced an economic boom. In 1964, the Parliament of Canada approved the official flag of the country, which was first raised over the Peace Tower on February 5, 1965.
IN 1982 In the same year, Queen Elizabeth approved the constitution of Canada and constitutional authority officially passed from Great Britain to Canada.
Canada gained independence from the United Kingdom through a peace process from 1867 to 1982.

1.4. Natural conditions and resources.

natural conditions.
The territory of Canada lies in the arctic, subarctic and temperate zones. The smaller Western part of Canada is mountainous, under the softening influence of the Pacific Ocean; large, eastern - mostly flat, with a sharply continental climate, strongly influenced by the Arctic.
Natural disasters (risk): persistent, permafrost in the north is a serious obstacle to the development of the region; cyclonic storms and hurricanes, formed in the east of the Rocky Mountains as a result of the mixing of air masses from the Arctic, the Pacific Ocean and North America, bring frequent rain and snow.
Environment - environmental issues: air pollution and acid rain greatly harm lakes and forests; waste from the metal-smelting industry and coal combustion, as well as exhaust gases, adversely affect the productivity of forests and agricultural holdings; coastal ocean waters are polluted as a result of agricultural, industrial and human mining activities.
Relief and geological structure.
Canadian shield- a huge geological structure formed by ancient crystalline rocks. The Canadian shield occupies a colossal territory - 4.6 million square meters. km from the Arctic archipelago to the Adirondacks in the USA, covering Hudson Bay from all sides. The richest deposits and huge mineral reserves of the Canadian Shield (almost the entire periodic table) are the main wealth of the country.
For every Canadian, including infants, there are 30 hectares of fields and forests, mountains and swamps. For every seven - on the lake. For each family - if not by the river, then by a large stream.
The central part of the mainland land and the adjacent areas of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago are occupied by plains and plateaus. Stand out: the lowland of the Hudson Bay, which has an exceptionally flat relief; Laurentian Upland (altitude up to 1000 m) with a characteristic lacustrine-hilly relief; central plains. The western outskirts of Canada is occupied by the Cordillera mountain system (altitude 3000-3500 m, the highest point is Mount Logan, 6050 m). In the northeast along the Canadian Arctic Archipelago and in the north of the Labrador Peninsula there is a strip of mountains 1500-2000 m high.
Climate.
Canada differs by region. In the maritime provinces (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island), winters are not as cold and summers are not as hot due to the influence of the ocean. On the western coast of the country, the climate is influenced by warm ocean currents, which cause, among other things, high humidity. In the mountainous regions, there are areas that are quite dry, despite the fact that rain and snowfall are frequent in the Selkirk Mountains. In general, winters in the country are characterized by heavy snowfalls and frosts, and summers by moderate temperatures. The climate of Canada is so diverse that peaches and grapes grow in the lower reaches of the Fraser River, while deer graze in the Mackenzie Delta. There is already a tundra. The warmest climate is along the US border, and the hottest summers are in Manitoba, in central, southern British Columbia and Ontario.
Resources.
Canada is often compared with Russia in terms of natural conditions and endowment with natural resources. Canada is rich in a variety of mineral resources. Significant reserves of non-ferrous metal ores (nickel, copper, zinc, lead), iron ore, uranium, oil and natural gas, potassium salts, asbestos, coal. This contributes to the fact that Canada is the largest supplier of mineral raw materials to the industrialized countries of the world, and primarily to the United States. 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; third - natural gas and platinoids; fourth - copper ore and gold; fifth for lead ores and seventh for silver mining.
A significant part of Canada (about 45%) is covered with forests. In terms of total timber reserves, the country ranks 3rd in the world. Of great importance are the resources of the animal world - fur-bearing animals, commercial fish (salmon, herring, halibut, cod).
A special place in the natural potential of Canada is occupied by water resources. In terms of fresh water reserves, it also has 3rd place after Russia and Brazil. The Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River are of great transport and energy importance. Natural features have led to uneven economic development of the territory.
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.

1.5. 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).

1.6. Culture.

Many elements of Canadian culture are very close to those of the United States of America, including film, television, clothing, housing, private transportation, consumer goods, and food. Despite this, Canada has its own unique culture.
There are many internationally renowned orchestras in Canada, such as the Quebec Symphony Orchestra, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and especially the Montreal Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Kent Nagano.
Canadian multiculturalism
In commemoration of Canada's diversity of peoples, the country has embraced a policy of multiculturalism, or multiculturalism, 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. 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. Many francophone artists come to Montreal from different parts of the country (Quebec, Acadia, Ontario, Manitoba, etc.), from the USA, as well as from the Caribbean region to pursue a career in literature, music, cinema, etc.
Canada's multicultural heritage is protected by Article 27 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The creation and preservation of Canada's diverse culture depends in part on federal government programs, laws, and political institutions.

1.7. political device.

To describe states, such characteristics as the form of government, form of government, political regime are used.
State regime
Canada is a federal parliamentary democratic state with a monarchical form of government. It was formed on July 1, 1867, under the British North America Act, as a federation of British colonies. The country received its statehood, but the British monarch remained the head of state. Canada did not have its own citizenship. Such a state structure was called a dominion. And only on April 17, 1982, Canada officially received a new constitution, according to which the Canadian authorities received the right to change the constitution.
Constitution
There is no single document that acts as a constitution in the country. The Constitution of Canada is understood as a series of consolidated Constitutional Acts of Canada, as well as other documents represented by written texts and oral traditions and agreements. The last major Constitutional Act of Canada is the Constitutional Act of 1982 (Canada Act), often referred to for simplicity as the Constitution of Canada. The Constitution also includes the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which guarantees to Canadians the rights and freedoms it specifies and cannot be violated by any level of the Government of Canada.
Amendments to the constitution can be carried out by joint decision of the federal government and seven provinces in which at least 50% of the population lives.
federal authorities. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II. In the country, it is represented by the Governor General of Canada, who since 1947 has had all the powers to carry out all functions on behalf of the sovereign. The monarch appoints the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister of Canada for a term of 5 years. Since October 7, 1999, Adrienne Clarkson has been the Governor General.
The functions of the governor-general are largely formal. In theory, he could refuse to approve legislation passed by the Canadian Parliament, but in practice he never did so. Government decisions are submitted to the governor general for approval in the form of "recommendations", but he usually just authorizes them. He may refuse to dissolve the lower house of parliament on the advice of the prime minister if the latter's party is defeated in the election. The powers of the governor general include the appointment of the prime minister, but in practice the leader of the party or coalition that won the majority in parliamentary elections is appointed to this post.
Legislation in Canada exercised by a Parliament of two chambers. Upper - Senate- consists of persons appointed by the Governor-General on the advice of the Prime Minister (no more than 105 senators). They may remain in office until the age of 75. A representation rate has been established for each of Canada's provinces. In practice, the Senate stands aloof from the political struggle, does not oppose any government proposals, limits itself to checking and studying bills and making minor changes to their text.
Lower - The House of Commons- currently consists of 301 members. They are elected for a five-year term by universal direct suffrage of citizens over 18 years of age. The Government may dissolve the Chamber ahead of time. The number of members of the House of Commons is determined by the population of each province or territory.
Parliament adopts laws and legislative acts, as well as the state budget. The main legislative initiative belongs to the government. The corresponding opportunities for the opposition are significantly limited.
Executive power. Executive power is exercised by the government cabinet which makes the most important decisions collegially. The head of government is the prime minister, who is appointed by the governor general. They are the leader of the party or coalition that has the most seats in the House of Commons.
Federal ministers are chosen by the prime minister from among the deputies from his party or coalition. Formally, the appointment, removal and transfer of ministers is carried out by the governor-general at the suggestion of the prime minister. Cabinet decisions are usually taken by consensus and only rarely by majority vote. At the same time, all members of the cabinet are obliged to obey the decision and support it, or resign.
Provinces and local government. Canada is a federation of 10 provinces. It includes the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan, as well as three territories - Nunavut, the Northwest Territories and Yukon.
Provincial governments built on the same principle as the federal ones. Functions similar to the head of state are assigned to governors appointed by the federal government. The provincial parliaments are unicameral. Provincial governments are formed by the parties or coalitions that win the majority in provincial elections.
Many important decisions are made at meetings of representatives of the federal and provincial governments. Issues of taxation, pensions, medical care, and constitutional issues are often discussed by the heads of the federal and provincial governments. The provincial prime ministers have such power that they often prefer this position to the appointment of a federal minister.
The work of local governments carried out by provincial governments in accordance with provincial legislation. Cities have mayors and city councils elected by direct elections. Large cities are divided into municipal districts with a certain independence. Representatives of individual municipal districts are included in the central city councils, which are responsible for city planning and the maintenance of the city police. Some smaller municipal districts are administered directly by a city manager.

Chapter II. Socio-economic development of Canada.

2.1. Population.

Demographics and immigration.
The demographics of Canada show a steady increase in population every year. The population of Canada at the beginning of 2010 is 34 million people, 8 million of which are French-speaking. The 2001 census recorded 30 million people.
Most of the population growth is due to immigration. Although the main economic return from immigration comes from independent skilled immigrants.
Canada is a very diverse country from an ethnic point of view. According to the 2001 census, 34 ethnic groups live in Canada, consisting of at least 100,000 people. The largest ethnic group calls themselves "Canadians" (39.4%), as most Canadians, especially those whose ancestors came during the colonization, consider themselves as a Canadian ethnic group. This is followed by those who call themselves British (34.4%), French (25.7%), Germans (3.6%), Italians (2.8%), Ukrainians (1.7%), natives (Indians and Eskimos 1.5%), Chinese (1.4%), Dutch (1.4%), Poles (0.9%), Russians (0.1%).
Canada is a country of immigrants. Canada's global reputation as a highly developed, peaceful country free from ethnic strife and conflict, where you can raise children in a calm environment, certainly contributes to the growth of immigration to the country. The vast majority of new Canadians, as newly arrived immigrants are called here, settle in large cities, due to the situation on the labor market and existing contacts. After a while, almost everyone moves to the suburbs, encircling any North American city. Immigration makes a significant contribution to the country's economy, from government fees and application fees to the financial contribution of entrants, especially families, from the purchase of real estate and furniture to future tax revenues.
The main directions of population migration within Canada for many years have been the outflow of young people from rural areas and small towns to large cities. Despite the large area, approximately? Canada's population lives within 160 km of the US border. Toronto can certainly be called the strongest magnet for intra-Canadian migration in the east of the country. With the booming oil and gas industry and construction in Alberta and British Columbia, there is a strong trend of a mobile young population moving out of Central Canada, from the Prairies and Atlantic provinces into Western Canada.
Over the past decades, the ethnic composition of the largest Canadian cities - Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver - has changed significantly in the direction of increasing the weight of the population from the countries of the Middle East, China, India, Latin America and other regions of the world.
Labor resources.
IN 2004
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The material gives an idea of ​​the geographical position of the country. Forms an idea of ​​what compensates for the impossibility of doing business in Canada in full. The article allows you to get an idea of ​​what position in the world economy is typical for this state and why.

Geographic location of Canada

The territorial localization of the country is such that it is located in the northern part of the American continent and has a significant total area of ​​9976 thousand square meters. km. The main characteristic of Canada's EGP can rightly be considered that it is the second largest country in the world.

The coast of Canada is washed by the waters of the oceans:

  • the Arctic;
  • Atlantic;
  • Quiet.

The southern borders of the country coincide with the United States. In the Northern regions, where the polar islands are located, the territory of the country goes for 800 km. for the Arctic Circle.

Canada is the owner of the chain of islands:

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  • Baffin Island;
  • Victoria;
  • Ellesmere;
  • Devonian;
  • Banks;
  • Newfoundland.

The highest point in the country is Logan Peak (5951 m).

The rocky coast of the Pacific Ocean is dotted with fjords and is cut off from the main territory by a powerful ridge of the mountain peaks of St. Elijah, as well as the Beregovoy and Boundari ridges.

The famous prairie of Canada stretches across the southern regions of the country to the Atlantic coast.

Rice. 1. Canadian prairie.

As in most developed countries, the service sector occupies a priority position in the Canadian economy. According to the most conservative estimates, about 3/4 of Canadians are employed in it.

These regions of the country are occupied by low ridges of a hilly type with vast plains. The polar region and the Hudson Bay region appear as vast low-lying plains that are crossed by many rivers and lakes.

Rice. 2. Hudson Bay.

The area is often swampy or occupied by tundra-type landscapes.

Economic and geographical position of Canada

Not excluding the mainland northern region of North America, Canada includes a significant number of small and large islands in the Arctic, Pacific and Atlantic oceans. The main part of the country is dominated by cold arctic and subarctic climatic zones. The only exception is the southern region, which is dominated by a temperate climate zone.

Rice. 3. Climatic zones of Canada.

Canada occupies 1/1.5 of the earth's surface.

The main features of the country is that it has the longest coastline, which is approximately 120 thousand km. The land limits of the Canada-US border are considered the longest unguarded section of the border in the world.

The polar sectors of Canada and Russia are the longest in the world. Canada is a federal state, which includes 10 provinces and 2 federal territories.

The peculiarity of the country is that Canada is one of the few industrialized countries that is recognized as a net exporter of energy. The Atlantic coast of Canada has a resource potential, which is expressed in natural gas deposits and large oil and gas fields. Significant reserves of tar sands make Canada the world's second largest oil-producing power after Saudi Arabia.