CANADA. WILD LIFE. NATURE PROTECTION
Canada, lying within the fifteen terrestrial and five marine ecozones. The largest marine ecozone is the Arctic Archipelago whereas the terrestrial ecozone is the Boreal Shield. The main biomes of Canada are Tundra, Boreal forest, Mixed forest, Broadleaf forest, Prairies, Rocky Mountains, and Temperate coniferous forests which hosts significant biodiversity.
Fauna of Canada
The fauna of Canada can be grouped into mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, birds, and insects. Canada is known for its mammals such as american bison, arctic hare, badger(барсук), beaver(бобёр), black bear, bobcat(рысь рыжая), brown bat, Canada Lynx, reindeer (caribou), coyote, grizzly bears, red fox, lemming, meadow mice, moose(американский лось), mountain lion, mule deer, musk ox (овцебук), muskrat(ондатра), polar bear, porcupine(дикобраз), prairie dog(луговая собачка), pronghorn antelope, raccoon(eнот), pinniped (seal), skunk(скунс), snowshoe hare, walrus(морж), wapiti, weasel(горностай), whale, white tailed deer, wolverine(росомаха). To name a few of the birds identified with Canada would be the American Robin, Bicknell's Thrush, Black-capped Chickadee, Blue Jay, Burrowing Owl, Canada Goose, Canvasback, Downy Woodpecker, Gray Jay, Great Blue Heron, Great Horned Owl, Greater Snow Goose, Killdeer, Loons, Piping Plover, Purple Martin, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, and Whooping Crane. The biology survey of Canada cites that there are approximately 55,000 species of insects, and 11,000 species of mites (клещ) and spiders.
Flora of Canada
According to environment Canada the nation of Canada hosts approximately 17,000 identified species of trees, flowers, herbs, ferns, mosses and other flora. Some trees native to Canada are Black Spruce (чёрная ель), White Spruce, Balsam Fir (пихта бальзамическая), Larch (лиственница), Lodgepole Pine, Jack Pine, Trembling & Large-Toothed Aspen, Cottonwood and White Birch, and Balsam Poplar (тополь индейский).
Recent extinctions
The exploitation of land and forest resources by humans along with hunting and trapping for food and sport has led to the extinction of many species in Canada in recent times. Woodland caribou(северный олень), present in several provinces, are threatened by hunting, wolf predation, as well as habitat disturbance from forestry activities, roads, mining and exploration, pipelines and oil and gas production. The Newfoundland population of marten is threatened by habitat loss, accidental trapping and prey availability.
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National symbols of Canada
The beaver's emblematic status originated from the fact much of Canada's early economic history was tied to the fur trade in beaver fur, which was used to make Euroopean fashionable hats. Another reason for the beaver's status in Canadian heraldry is that the beaver represents the symbol of industry. The Beaver was adopted as the national emblem in 1975.
The Canadian Horse was declared an official Canadian symbol in 1909 and commonly appears in images with the Mounties.
The Maple leaf and maple tree is the national flora symbol of Canada. The leaf was declared approximately 1860 and the maple tree 1996.
Nature Protection
There are dozens of great organizations (Environment Canada-EC), in Canada which protect the Canadian environment. They do their best to protect their country’s air, water, vegetation, plants, land and resources.
Canadian governments and many volunteer organizations and individuals work to protect species at risk in Canada. The federal government has introduced Species at Risk legislation; the federal and provincial governments cooperate through the Accord for the Protection of the Species at Risk
The Canadian federal government is putting $92 million towards a national car scrapping program to get older model personal vehicles off the road and reduce air pollution.
In recent decades, human encroachment has posed a threat to Canada's wildlife; in response National Wildlife Areas (NWAs) are set aside under the Canada Wildlife Act. There are National Parks, National Wildlife Areas, as well as Migratory Bird Sanctuaries. National parks protect natural regions in Canada. NWAs conserve habitats for species at risk. Migratory bird sanctuaries protect the breeding grounds of migratory birds during the nesting season.
Climate.
Canadians climate is characterized by its diversity, as temperature and precipitation differ from region to region and from season to season.
Factors influencing Canada's climate:
1) Latitude (extension from South to North)
Since Canada's extention from soutj to north is 40*, the country is situated in 3 climatic zones:
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- the temperate zone (southern parts up to latitude approximately 60* North)
- the subarctic zone (covers the parts of the country between latitude 60* North and the Arctic circle)
- the arctic zone (includes territories, lying beyond the arctic circle)
2) Flow of air masses
The usual air flow is from west to east.
In winter it is disrupted by arctic air which moves down from the Arctic and is cold and dry.
In summer the western air flow is disrupted by warm tropical air, moving from the southeast.
This movement of airmasses together with the countrys position between the Oceans account for fact that there are several types of of climate within one climatic zone
- the coastal parts (western and eastern) enjoy the maritime climate with abundant precipitation
- the central interior parts enjoy the continental climate, which is characterized by great seasonal fluctuations in temperature and by a lesser amount of rainfall throughout the year.
3) The relief (the effect of mountain ranges, plains and bodies of water)
The Cordilleran mountain system blocks the warm moist Pacific air from the interior plains of the Great Plains (the Prairie Provinces). The moist air is forced to rise over the mountains, it cools as it rises and falls on the western slopes in heavy amounts of precipitation, as rain in lower altitudes and snow at higher ones.
On the lowland side of the mountains a rain-shadow effect is created. The valleys between the mountain ranges and the Great Plains lying further east receive much less precipitation. The rainfall is not sufficient and farmers have to irrigate their crops.
Average winter and summer high temperatures across Canada vary depending on the location. Winters can be harsh in many regions of the country, particularly in the interior and Prairie provinces which experience a continental climatewhere daily average temperatures are near −15 but can drop below −40 °C (−40 °F) with severe wind chills. In non-coastal regions, snow can cover the ground almost six months of the year (more in the north). Coastal British Columbia is an exception and enjoys a temperate climate with a mild and rainy winter.
On the east and west coast, average high temperatures are generally in the low 20s °C (70s °F), while between the coasts the average summer high temperature ranges from 25 to 30 °C (75 to 85 °F) with occasional extreme heat in some interior locations exceeding 40 °C (104 °F).
According to its climate, Canada can be divided in to 5 regions:
1) The West Coast (the coast of British Columbia)
- a temperate maritime West-Coast climate [the most temperate climate in Canada].
2) The Prairies (the Great Planes: Alberta. Saskatchewan, Manitoba)
- a temperate continental climate [wind erosions, drought, thunderstorms, hailstorms, early autumn frosts,Chinook]
3) The Great Lakes (St. Lawrence region)
- a temperate continental climate
4) Atlantic Canada
- a temperate monsoon climate [rugged and variable]
5) The North
- a subarctic and arctic climate [permafrost]
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Economy
Canada is a unique country. Its economy has features of advanced capitalist states and also of the dependent countries.
In the 20th century Canada became an industrial country with highly developed intensive agriculture. Before that Canada had been mostly an agricultural country. But since the WWII more people have worked in manufacturing than in agriculture.
But agriculture (farming) is still important. Canada exports many agricultural products, which account for much of the country's export.
Agricultural sector produces:
- cereals (primarily wheat and barley),dairy products, fruit, wool,fur
Arable land is only 5% of the total area, but farming is highly developed and intensive.
The most important agricultural regions are:
- the prairies, which represent 80% of Canada's farmland
- the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence fertile lowlands in Ontario and Quebec.
It is the major corn producing area of Canada and a horticultural region.
Canada's economy has always been based on abundant natural resources, which include:
- fish, timber and wood products ,minerals, hydroelectricity
One of the most important industries is the manufacture of wood pulp and paper.
Minerals that are found in Canada include:
- zinc, copper, gold, lead, molybdenum, potash, silver, coal, natural gas and oil
Canada has rich fishing grounds.
Manufacturing has long been a weak component of Canada's economy. And now it employs just 14% of the country's workers. The most important manufactured product is motor vehicles. Recently new high technology (hi tech) industries have developed, including information technology and aeronautics.
Canada's leading industries include:
- automobile manufacturing, pulp and paper, iron and steelwork, machinery and equipment manufacturing, mining, extraction of fossil fuels, forestry, agriculture
As an advanced capitalist state Canada has an enormous service sector, including the civil service. Services account for some 75% of the country's economy.
Problems
1) Dependency on foreign capital
In the 20th century Canada became independent of the UK only to find herself more dependent on the US than the it has been on Britain. Canada was the scene of rivalry between US and the British capital. In the rivalry US monopolies were more successful. As a result foreign monopolies control.
- 75% of Canada's main extractive industries, 50 % of it's manufacturing industries
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As a trading country Canada is strongly influenced by the USA, the country's major trading partner.
Canada exports primary materials:
- metals ,fish, wheat, coal, lumber, furs, oil, natural gas and imports manufactures.
Most of the companies belong to the US capital; they are "daughter" companies of the big concerns. The US export to Canada vast quantities of:
- capital, the money and the machinery for mining, pulp and paper industries.
Relatively little of this investment goes into the Maritime Provinces and eastern Quebec, a chronically poor region.
Canada has begun to veer away from Washington policies. The tendency started in the 1960's when Canada celebrated its centennial (1967).
Besides, Anti-Americanism was stimulated by such developments in the US like: racial conflicts, political association of John Kennedy and the Vietnam War. These were the events of the 1960's (the decade) in the US. A wave of anti-Americanism swept through Canada's intellectual circles.
In 1974 Parliament passed a law requiring that foreign investments be screened by the cabinet before being permitted.
American investors retaliated by cutting back or completing shutting down Canadian branch plants and business.
In 1988 the USA and Canada signed an agreement of lifting within 10 years of all barriers in their trade. This makes Canada even more dependent on its southern neighbor.
2) The large national debt and the massive annual federal deficit.
3) High unemployment rates. Currently unemployment is around 10% with regional variations
The inflation rate is about 2,5%
4) Canada has an immense "underground economy", which includes not only criminal activities but also different way and means of legitimate business they resort to in order to avoid paying.
Living standard. Social programmes.
Canada ranks (claims) 6th place in the world in living standard (behind only: 1) the US, 2) Switzerland, 3) Luxembourg, 4) Germany, 5) Japan)
The living standard is high largely owing to extensive social programs of which Canadians are justifiably proud.
Social security network (system) includes: an old age pension, a family allowance, unemployment insurance, welfare for the needy, free Medicare system
Basic health care with the exception of dental services is free. Prescription drugs are in most cases free of charge for people over 65 social and recipients.
The largest cities (2009)Toronto - г. Торонто (Toronto (4.5 million)) Montreal г. Монреаль (провинция Квебек) (3.4 million) Vancouver - г. Ванкувер (2.0 million) Capital City: Ottawa (pop. 1 million)The most important ports are Montreal, St. John's and Halifax on the Atlantic; Vancouver and Victoria on the Pacific; Port Arthur on Lake Superior
VegetationCanada's vegetation is relatively young, for 15000 years ago the entire country except for the west coast was covered with ice during the glacial period. The flora of Canada is quite diverse, due to the wide range of ecoregions and environmental conditions present in Canada. From the warm, temperate broadleaf forests of southern Ontario to the frigid Arctic plains of the Northern Canada, from the wet temperate rainforests of the west coast to the arid deserts, badlands and tundra plains, the biodiversity of Canada's plants is extensive. About 4,100 species of vascular plants are native to Canada, and about 1,200 additional non-native species are recorded as established outside cultivation there. Many of the plants seen in Canada are introduced, either intentionally or accidentally. The dominant vegetation of the country is forest. It covers almost 50% of Canada's landmass. Canada's natural vegetation can be described as falling into five areas: 1)Boreal forest ("the great northern" forest) It is the largest of the areas. Extends from coast to coast and covers almost 40% of the country. It is primarily coniferous, the dominant tree spices are the white spruce and balsam fir and jack pine are also common. In the West - alpine fir and lodgepole pine. 2)Grasslands Prairies occupy Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. The prairies are mostly cultivated and covered with grains.3)TundraIt is in the far north and thus is situated north to the tree-line.It is mostly flat, barren, rocky region.There are practically no trees or shrubs. The most common plants are lichens and small wildflowers.4)Forests of the southeast The Great Lakes - St. Lawrence Lowland and the Appalachian region - south of the boreal forest. This is the area of a mixed forest (coniferous - broad leaved). It consists of conifers (evergreen softwood) and hardwoods. Chief conifers are: hemlock and pine (white, red and jack pine). The principal hardwoods are: oaks (red and white), ash, yellow birch, maples. The sugar maple is one of Canada's best known symbols [the maple leaf is on Canada's flag] 5)Forests of the southwestThese forests in British Columbia contain a richer variety of species than elsewhere.Douglas fir, cedar, western red cedar, western hemlock and Sitka spruce. Since much of Canada's land is still in a state of Wilderness, there is a concern for it's preservation of human activities expansion. Due to the northern location the ecology in most of the area is especially fragile.Canada maintains 38 national parks, which cover about 2% of the country's landmass. Banff is the oldest (est. 1885), is located on the eastern slopes of Alberta's Rocky Mountains. Canada also has over 1000 provincial parks and nearly 50 territorial parks.
Location.Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Canada's common border with the United States to the south and northwest is the longest in the world.Canada occupies a major northern portion of North America, sharing the land borders with the contiguous United States to the south and the U.S. 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. By total area (including its waters), Canada is the second-largest country in the world—after Russia. By land area, Canada ranks fourth (land area is total area minus the area of lakes and rivers). Since 1925, Canada has claimed the portion of the Arctic between 60°W and 141°W longitude, but this claim is not universally recognized. The northernmost settlement in Canada (and in the world) is Canadian Forces Station Alert on the northern tip of Ellesmere Island—latitude 82.5°N—817 kilometres (450 nautical miles, 508 miles) from the North Pole. Much of the Canadian Arctic is covered by ice. Canada also has the longest coastline in the world: 202,080 kilometres (125,570 mi).The total area is 9,984,670 km2 (2nd place in the world)
Local divisionCanada is a federation composed of ten provinces and three territories. In turn, these may be grouped into regions: Western Canada, Central Canada, Atlantic Canada, and Northern Canada (the latter made up of the three territories: Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut). Eastern Canada refers to Central Canada and Atlantic Canada together. Provinces have more autonomy than territories. The provinces are responsible for most of Canada's social programs (such as health care, education, and welfare) and together collect more revenue than the federal government, an almost unique structure among federations in the world. Using its spending powers, the federal government can initiate national policies in provincial areas, such as the Canada Health Act; the provinces can opt out of these, but rarely do so in practice. Equalization payments are made by the federal government to ensure that reasonably uniform standards of services and taxation are kept between the richer and poorer provinces
RELIEF. In general terms, the landform structure of Canada can be considered as a vast basin more than 3,220 miles in diameter. The Cordillera in the west, the Appalachians in the southeast, the mountains of northern Labrador and of Baffin Island in the northeast, and the Innuitian Mountains in the north form its high rim, while Hudson Bay, set close to the centre of the enormous platform of the Canadian Shield, occupies the basin bottom. Canada can be divided into several physical regions, including the Canadian Shield, the interior plains, the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence lowlands, the Appalachian region, the Cordilleras, and the Arctic Archipelago.1. The Canadian Shield. An immense block of ancient crystalline rock, called the Canadian Shield, spans roughly half of the country. It curves in a great arc around Hudson Bay from the coast of Labrador to the Beaufort Sea. Most of the terrain varies from relatively level to hummocky, with an abundance of glacial debris, exposed rock, lakes, and muskegs (bogs). The Shield is rich in minerals, forests, and waterpower, both developed and potential. Most of it has not been settled. 2. The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Lowlands is a fertile area of level to rolling land adjoining Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, and the St. Lawrence River in southern Ontario and Quebec. Though relatively small, the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Lowland is the most heavily populated and productive part of Canada. The rolling landscape of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence lowlands is composed primarily of glacial landforms: glacial lake bottoms and shorelines, till plains, moraines, drumlins, eskers, and giant spillways carved by glacial streams. In southwestern Ontario the Niagara Escarpment is the only significant exposed bedrock structure 3 .The Appalachian Region in the east, includes the island of Newfoundland, the Maritime Provinces, and that part of Quebec southeast of the St. Lawrence valley. The region is the northernmost part of an ancient, largely eroded mountain system and consists mainly of hills and low, rounded mountains. In some areas there are coastal lowlands and fertile valleys and basins. The highest peak rises only 4,160 feet (1,268 m) above sea level, in the Notre Dame Mountains on the Gaspé Peninsula of Quebec. 4. The Cordilleras, in the west, is the highest and most rugged part of Canada. It includes most of British Columbia, virtually all of the Yukon Territory, and parts of the Northwest Territories and Alberta. The great heights and angularity of the peaks (many of which rise to more than 10,000 feet) indicate that these are much younger mountains than the Appalachians. Signs of alpine glaciation are widely evident. In many places valley glaciers remain active, and snowcapped peaks are frequently hidden in the clouds. Some of the mountain slopes are so precipitous that they are bare of trees. Viewed from an airplane, the whole landscape seems to be an irregular sea of mountain ranges, trending in a north-south direction. The region's eastern portion consists of the Rocky Mountains, including the Mackenzie Mountains and other ranges. The Rockies include 30 peaks more than 10,000 feet high, among them Mount Robson, which rises to 12,972 feet. Between the Rockies and the Coast Mountains lies a rugged area of high plateaus, mountain ranges, and deep valleys. Numerous peaks in the Cordilleran Region reach elevations of more than 10,000 feet (3,000 m). Mount Logan, Canada's highest, towers 19,524 feet (5,951 m) above sea level in the St. Elias Range in the Yukon Territory, near the Alaska border. Much of the Cordilleran Region is wilderness, rich in hydroelectric power potential, forests, and minerals. Most of Canada's oldest and most popular national parks, including Banff and Jasper, are in the Cordilleran Region. 5. The Interior Plains, a broad strip of land between the Canadian Shield and the Cordilleran Region, make up the largest area of nearly level land in Canada. The southern part consists of prairies, most of which are part of the Great Plains of North America. A comparatively small section is part of the Central Lowlands. The region is as much as 800 miles (1,300 km) wide in the prairies, where the original grassland vegetation created deep, fertile soils, the basis of a rich farming region. Elevations range from sea level at the Arctic coast to more than 4,000 feet (1,200 m) at the base of the Rocky Mountains in Alberta. 6. The Arctic Archipelago. The Arctic Archipelago is composed of thousands of islands north of the Canadian mainland. The southeastern islands are an extension of the Canadian Shield. The balance consists of two distinctive landform regions: the Arctic lowlands to the south and the Innuitian Mountains to the north. The Innuitians are geologically young mountains similar to the Western Cordillera, with peaks reaching 10,000 feet. Much of the Innuitian region is permanently covered with snow and ice through which mountain peaks occasionally protrude.
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