Canada's territory lies in the Arctic, subarctic and temperate zones. The smaller Western part of Canada is mountainous and is under a moderating influence Pacific Ocean; large, eastern - predominantly flat, with a sharply continental climate, subject to the strong influence of the Arctic.

Natural disasters (risk): ongoing, permafrost in the north - a serious obstacle to the development of the region; cyclonic storms and hurricanes forming in the eastern Rockies as a result of mixing air masses from the Arctic, Pacific Ocean and North America, bring frequent rain and snow.

Environment - environmental problems: air pollution and acid rain greatly damage lakes and forests; waste from the metal smelting industry and coal combustion, as well as exhaust gases, negatively affect the productivity of forests and agricultural lands; Coastal ocean waters are polluted as a result of human agricultural, industrial and mining activities.

Relief and geological structure

The Canadian Shield is a huge geological structure formed by ancient (at least 600 million years old) crystalline rocks. The Canadian Shield occupies a colossal territory - 4.6 million square meters. km from the Arctic archipelago to the Adirondack Mountains in the USA, covering Hudson Bay on 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.

The central part of the mainland and adjacent areas of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago occupy plains and plateaus. The following stand out: the lowlands of Hudson Bay, which have an extremely flat topography; Laurentian Upland (height up to 1000 m) with a characteristic lake-hilly topography; central plains (Mackenzie River lowland, Manitoba lowland, St. Lawrence River valleys, etc.), Great Plains piedmont plateau (elevation from 500 to 1500 m). The western outskirts of Canada are occupied by the Cordillera mountain system (height 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. In the extreme southeast there is a region of the Appalachian Hills with low-mountain terrain.

Inland waters

Canada's entire population (it makes up 1% of the world's population) accounts for 9% of the world's fresh water. Most of it is concentrated in rivers and lakes, which occupy 20% of Canada's total area. The river network is dense. The rivers are fed primarily by snow and rain; on the plains there is high spring flood, and in the Cordillera there is summer flood. The duration of freeze-up ranges from 3 months in the south to 9 months in the north. The lowland regions, making up about 2/3 of Canada's territory, belong to the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Complex lake-river systems are formed here, draining vast areas. The largest of them are: the St. Lawrence River with the Great Lakes, with a total length of more than 3 thousand km; the Finley-Peaceriver-Slave-Mackenzie river system, including lakes Athabasca, Great Slave and Great Bear; Rivers Bow - Saskatchewan - Nelson with lakes Bow, Cedar, Manitoba, Cross, Winnipeg. The rivers of the mountainous west, belonging to the Pacific Ocean basin, are usually short and have very narrow, deeply incised valleys. The largest are the Fraser River and the Yukon and Columbia rivers, which belong to Canada in their upper reaches.

Mountain rivers have rapids, are navigable only in certain sections, but have large reserves of hydroelectric power. Thanks to numerous lakes, the river flow is well regulated. There are over 200 of the largest lakes. Plain lakes are mostly of glacial origin, mountain lakes are predominantly tectonic or glacial-tectonic. From 5 to 9 months of the year, rivers and lakes are covered with ice.

But most Canadian rivers are useless for the economy. This “uselessness” is determined by two factors:

1. rivers flow through uninhabited territory;

2. Most of them freeze in the winter.

Canada varies by region. In the coastal 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, causing, among other things, high humidity. There are areas in the mountainous regions that are quite dry, despite frequent rain and snowfall in the Selkirk Mountains. In general, winters in the country are characterized by heavy snowfalls and frosts, and summers by moderate temperatures. Canada's climate 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 tundra there. The warmest climate is along the US border, and the hottest summers are in Manitoba, central, southern British Columbia and Ontario.

Soils, vegetation and fauna

The islands of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago and the north of the mainland coast occupy a zone of arctic deserts with a sparse cover of lichens and a few herbaceous species and a tundra zone. There are reindeer, musk ox, polar bear, arctic fox, lemmings, polar hare, tundra partridge, polar owl. Further to the south, stretching in a strip from the foot of the Cordillera to the Atlantic coast, there are zones of forest-tundra and pre-tundra woodlands on frozen-taiga, mostly rocky, soils and a zone of taiga forests where white and black spruce, American larch, Banks pine and balsam fir grow on podzolic, and in some places swamp soils. This territory is inhabited by elk, forest deer, bison, red squirrel, northern flying squirrel, porcupine, hare, marten, bear, lynx, red fox, wolf, and beaver. On South central regions The taiga gives way to forest-steppe and steppe zones, where aspen forests, feather grass, grass and grama grow.

The fertile gray forest, meadow-chernozem, chernozem and chestnut soils of these areas are used in agriculture. More than half of the steppe territories have been plowed. Further on there is a zone of coniferous-deciduous forests developing on podzolic and brown forest soils. Several species of spruce, cedar, juniper, and Canadian yew grow there. In Canadian forests there are marmots, hares, raccoons, red lynx, gray squirrels, Virginia deer, and wapiti deer. The southern treeless areas are inhabited by pronghorn antelope, bag gopher rats, ground squirrels, prairie dogs, prairie ferrets, prairie foxes, badgers, and coyotes. observed in the Cordillera altitudinal zone. The Pacific slopes of the Cordillera are covered with forests of giant thuja, Douglas fir, Sitka spruce, giant fir and other very productive species. Animals: mountain goat, mountain sheep, grizzly bear, puma. Rivers and lakes, as well as coastal waters, are rich in fish. In Atlantic waters, cod, herring, haddock, flounder, and crabs are of commercial importance; In the Pacific waters, mainly salmon are caught: sockeye salmon, pink salmon, chum salmon, and halibut.

Canada has the largest reserves of mineral resources, including coal, oil, natural gas, iron ore(3rd place in the world), lead and zinc (1st place), nickel and platinum (2nd place), gold (3rd place), radioactive ores (1st place in uranium reserves), asbestos (first place, over 50% of world reserves). Deposits of oil, natural gas, as well as lead, zinc, copper, gold, silver, coal, and asbestos have been discovered in the Northwest Territories.

Natural attractions

Among the natural attractions that attract tourists, spring flower festivals stand out: the Ottawa Spring Festival (Tulip Festival) in May is the most significant of them. The Niagara Grape and Wine Festival is held in the fall. There are fall tours in Ontario and Quebec. Canada has a large number of nature reserves and national parks (they cover an area of ​​730,000 km2). The most famous: Wood Buffalo National Park, which has the largest herd of bison: Kootenay, Glacier and Yoho national parks, famous for glaciers and waterfalls: Jasper National Park - glaciers, lakes, hot springs, among animals - bears, mountain goats and moose; oldest national park Canada, which is a mountain resort with hot springs - Bauff Park; Elk Island National Park (Elk Island) - a large number of beautiful forest lakes, among the animals are elk and bison.

Main natural wealth Canada consists of its vast territories. The country occupies vast areas, on which there are also mixed forests, and lush meadows, and lakes with crystal clear water. Canadian lands have everything you need to conduct Agriculture and ecotourism. Let's take a closer look at the nature of Canada.

general characteristics

The state has a location in North America. It is famous for being the second largest state on the planet. Canada is also blessed with the largest coastline in the world.

Canadian lands cover an area of ​​9,984,672 square meters. km.

The country has almost all types of reliefs, except for the tropical coast. Although Canada also has its own coastal zone, it is cold due to the fact that it is washed by the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic oceans.

Climate regime of Canada

The Canadian climate can be described as temperate continental, arctic, and maritime. Since the country is endowed with a large extent, the climate on its lands can vary from region to region.

Overall, Canadian climate conditions appear to be harsh and snowy winter, as well as hot and dry summers. There are exceptions to this rule. For example, the maritime climate softens winter on the coast.

Flora of the state

Vast areas of the country are occupied by natural formations such as taiga and tundra. In tundra zones, vegetation belongs to dwarf species. Shrubs and various herbs grow on this land.

The taiga is rich in conifers and deciduous trees. Canadian maples, from which the notorious maple syrup is made, are the pearl of these forests. Among Canadian forest areas mixed tree zones predominate.

Beech, fir, red spruce, cedar and hemlock are unique trees in Canada, which are rare in the world and are of great interest to researchers.

It is worth knowing that there are really a lot of national parks and botanical gardens in the country. Canada is considered the leader among countries in terms of the number of territories uncultivated by humans.

Fauna of Canada

The fauna of Canadian lands is a naturalist and hunter's dream. There is a huge variety of animal species here.

The largest predator in Canadian territories is the bear..

The beaver is considered the first most important animal in Canada. The living symbol of Canada has brought a lot of benefits to researchers of the territories. There are many lynxes and coyotes in Canada, which is not typical for such an area. Fur-bearing animals, forest herbivores and forest-steppe inhabitants are also found here.

There are approximately 1,500 species of birds in the state. Prominent representatives Among the bird fauna are the beautiful auk and the wild Canada goose.

Relief of the country

The center and east of the country are occupied by plains. The Cordillera mountain range stretches in western Canada. The entire territory of the state is covered by a network of small and medium-sized rivers, as well as large lakes. The country's hydropower reserves exceed all similar reserves in the world.

The cultivated black soil of the state is located in the south. There in Canada, active agricultural work is underway. Most forested areas in Canada are in the west.

Nai highest point The top of the Canadian mountains is called Logan. Its peak reaches 5959 meters into the sky.

The Mackenzie is the longest river in Canadian lands. The length of the water artery is 4,200 km.

Great Bear Lake is the most large lake in the state. Its area is estimated at 30,200 square meters. km.

Minerals in Canada

Great amount natural resources hiding in the Canadian depths. The country boasts the following gifts of nature:

• Non-ferrous and rare metals;
• Iron ores;
• Coal and natural gas;
• Large oil reserves;
• Asbestos and uranium;
• Potassium salts and much more.

Canadian industry operates on the resources of its own country, without the need to purchase materials from other countries. The luxurious Canadian nature is a separate attraction of Canada, for which thousands of tourists come to the state.

Canada is considered one of the world's largest countries in terms of area. The extraordinary and wonderful nature attracts many tourists who want to enjoy the wild nature of Canada.

The country's natural complexes have been preserved in their pristine natural state, despite the fact that they are very close to modern large populated areas. Approximately 10 of the country's area is wild, untouched nature. Local residents are very proud of their natural complexes and protect them in every possible way. Here you can find many rare representatives of flora and fauna.

Wildlife of Canada

The most famous representative of the animal world in Canada is the beaver. This animal is the symbol of the country. Thanks to these animals, a large area of ​​Canada was previously explored and developed.

The largest and most dangerous among Canadian animals is the bear. There are several species of bears living in Canada:

1. Grizzly bears. These bears are dangerous and aggressive members of the bear family. They live in the northwestern part of the country.
2. Brown bear. The animal is smaller in size than its cousins, grizzly bears. They live near the Pacific coast.
3. White polar bears. This species is protected by the state because it is a very rare animal.
4. The black bear lives throughout the country.

Fauna of Canada very rich and varied. In wild forests you can find many representatives of fur animals. Representatives of predators found in nature include wolves, foxes, lynxes and coyotes. The south is home to pronghorn antelope, a type of deer. The territories of the northern and western parts of the country are inhabited by bison, moose, caribou, and musk oxen. When visiting the region of British Canada, you can get acquainted with bighorn sheep, also called bighorn sheep, and also see gray wild cats. The latter are considered unique animals of the country.


In urban parks in Canada you can find porcupines, raccoons and skunks. Canada offers a variety of entertainment for tourists. One such entertainment is watching the behavior of whales off the oceans.

There are approximately half a thousand bird families. The most popular representatives of birds are:

• The loon is beautiful
• Great Blue Heron
• Wild Canada goose

The country's reservoirs are filled with various fish. For the beautiful wild world Canada can be seen in national parks. There are many such parks in the country. The most famous and largest park is Wood Buffalo Park.

Flora of Canada

Canada's vegetation is directly related to the local climate. The biggest natural areas flora of Canada - taiga and tundra. The northern part of the continent is covered with snow almost all year round.

In northern Canada, vegetation characteristic of the tundra zone is observed. In the south of the country there is a taiga with rocks. Coniferous forests grow on the ocean coasts. The eastern part of the country is famous for its broad-leaved forests. In western Canada extend steppe zones- prairies.

Tundra. Located in the north of the country. Dwarf plant species are common here: willows and birches. In summer, they grow on lawns various flowers: dryads, lupins and buttercups. In the tundra you can find plants such as wild rosemary, primrose, various grasses and sedges, cranberries, and fireweed.

Taiga. It is a coniferous forest zone and runs through the entire area of ​​the country. Black spruce and aspens sprout here. Also in the taiga they grow spruce forests. In the taiga you can find maples, oaks, larches, poplars, white birches, cedars, rowan trees, and aspens.

Great Lakes. Mixed forests can be found in this area. They grow: maple, birch, hemlock, beech, Weymouth pine, spruce and aspen. Also in this zone, firs, maples, chestnuts, tulip trees, magnolias, hickories, and forest nisses grow.

Acadian forests. Conifers dominate here. Canadian plants in this zone include black spruce, balsam fir, red spruce, cedar, American beech, larch, maples and yellow birch. In low-grass areas, keleria, feather grass and buteloua sprout.


British Columbia. In this zone the following grow: different kinds pine, spruce, American larch, hemlock. You can find various varieties of pines, Douglas fir, Oregon oak, and aspen. Due to low rainfall, cacti can be found in some places.

Canadian flora and fauna is rich in unique animals and plants. Thousands of tourists visit the country every year to admire the wild, untouched nature of Canada. Canadians protect their rich nature. Canada is the leading country in the world in terms of the number of areas untouched by humans. Canadians create national natural parks, which are protected at the government level.

Wildlife of Canada video

Geography and climate of Canada

The territory of this country extends between the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean, the United States and the Arctic Ocean. It occupies 40% of the total area of ​​North America, making it the second largest country in the world (after Russia). Geographical features are also reflected in the nature of Canada, which is very diverse. There are low-lying areas located in the Great Lakes region, prairies, extensive rocky terrain and high mountains. 40% of the country's territory is in the Arctic regions.

• Fraser;
• Colombia;
• Mackenzie;
• Nelson;
• Churchill et al.

Canada contains the largest reserve of fresh water in the world, which is distributed by the Great Lakes of North America and all other Canadian bodies of water. It is also located here, which was included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2007.

The borders of this country extend from 43 to 80 degrees north latitude. Such a large scatter was the main factor influencing the formation of the climate and nature of Canada. In addition, this was also facilitated by the presence of the Rocky Mountains, which do not allow western oceanic winds to enter the country, and proximity to the Arctic Ocean. Thus, the nature of Northern Canada is influenced by the polar climate, while in the region of British Columbia the climate is milder. Before planning your trip, you should remember that winters here are cold and summers are moderate and humid.

Mountains of Canada

Length mountain range in this country is about 5000 km. Indigenous peoples often compared it to a sea wave covering the horizon. Long length became the reason that in some mountainous areas the nature of Canada is absolutely wild and virgin.

The mountain range consists of the Rocky Mountains in the west and the Appalachians in the east. The Rocky Mountains are formed from limestones and shales. The following rivers originate from them:

• Colorado;
• Missouri;
• Snake;
• Rio Grande.

The Appalachians are a rolling plateau of broadleaf, coniferous and mixed forests. From the characteristics of Canada's nature you can find out that its highest point is Mount Logan (5959 m). It forms on its slopes, which after melting merges with the Gulf of Alaska.

The real mountain nature of Canada is good not only for its beauty and diversity, but also for its rich opportunities for... On the slopes of the Canadian mountains they were opened, equipped with modern tourist infrastructure.

Flora of Canada

Approximately 50% of the country's area is covered by green space. In addition to the tundra and taiga, these are:

• deciduous forests;
• pine forests;
• oak forests;
• birch and maple groves.

The tundra extends south along the western coast of the Hudson. Willows and dwarf birches grow here, lupins, daisies, buttercups, primroses, cereals and heather bloom in the fields. The wetlands are dotted with cranberry bushes.

Most interesting places in terms of nature, they are concentrated in the taiga of Canada, which stretches along the entire country. Larch, black and white spruce grow here, which is often used locally. Some copies coniferous trees reach a height of 60-70 m, and their age is up to 800 years.

In the Pacific vegetable world Canadian nature is represented by Alaskan and red cedar, Sitka and Douglas firs. The Atlantic coast is inhabited by Acadian forests, in which grow:

• balsam fir;
• black and red spruce;
• American larch;
• cedar;
• yellow birch.

Oregon oak and arbutus trees can be found in the area.

Wildlife of Canada

The fauna of this country also changes in the direction from north to south. For example, along the coast of the Arctic Ocean you can find musk oxen, which, thanks to their thick dark wool, are able to withstand severe frosts and winds. The tundra nature of Canada has become a habitat for such species of animals as:

• reindeer;
• lemmings;
• polar hares;
• arctic foxes.

Closer to the south, the list is replenished with forest caribou, moose and wapiti deer. Bighorn sheep and snow goats live in the mountains. The main representatives wildlife Canada's wolves, grizzly bears, black and brown bears, cougars, foxes and Canadian lynxes. You can also find smaller predators:

• sables;
• pecans;
• wolverines;
• otters;
• raccoons.

The country is home to more than 450 species of birds, including great blue herons, loons, and wild geese. Golden eagles, geese and ruby ​​hummingbirds are a real gem of Canada's wildlife and nature.

Canadian reservoirs are often called “Klondikes”, because they are full of the most different types fish They are home to pike, perch, trout and carp. The weight of some specimens reaches 20 kg.

Nature protected areas

This country is characterized by a well-developed security and protection system and environment. It is represented by numerous national and social parks, ecological reserves and wildlife sanctuaries. The main difference between nature parks in Canada is the level of access. For example, if visiting ecological reserves is limited as much as possible, then hunting is allowed (only for this you need to have a special permit).

The list of the largest nature reserves in Canada includes:

• Knight Bay;
• Montreal Botanical Garden;
• Robson Bight Whale Sanctuary;
• park, etc.

In addition, there are areas that are protected due to nesting and habitat rare species animals and birds. For example, Daly Point in New Brunswick is protected because it is home to endangered butterflies, and the Bylot Island Bird Sanctuary is home to many seabird species.

Despite strict restrictions and vigilant protection, environmental problems are pressing in this country. They are primarily caused by the activities of the wood processing industry. It is by looking at the forests that you can see how much nature in Canada has been changed by man. This is especially noticeable in British Columbia, where timber is actively grown. The country is one of the main suppliers of newsprint in the world.

In Canada, there is an acute problem of environmental pollution with toxic waste that ends up in the Great Lakes and other bodies of water. The problem of acid rain is also relevant. Thanks to the competent government policy, the country was among the first to sign the Kyoto Treaty, a document on regulating greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere.

The nature of Canada is multifaceted and amazing. Even in the presence of serious environmental problems it remains one of the richest and most diverse in the world. That is why every traveler arriving in a country is obliged to take time to get to know it.

Canada's natural environment is known for its incredible landscapes and lakes. Each province can boast of its incredibly beautiful natural places that will give you goosebumps. Ready?

Moraine Lake

One of the many wonderful turquoise lakes located in Alberta. For those who are interested in reading about the road trip from Vancouver to this lake, we advise you to read the post of one of our bloggers - Alena, .

Nimbus Mountain

Do you like extreme walks? Then you should visit Nimbus in British Columbia. Delivery is carried out only by helicopter.

Niagara Falls

Perhaps the most popular natural attraction in Canada, which everyone has heard about. But it is better to see once than to hear 100 times.

Cape Auguet

Incredible natural spot along the coast in Nova Scotia

Baffin Island

Canada's largest island (5th in the world) is located in Nunavut.

Panorama Ridge

One of British Columbia's most popular summer destinations overlooking Lake Garibaldi. A popular camping spot, however, getting here requires a lot of effort. Read more

Bruce Peninsula National Park=

Who would have thought that Ontario had a national park along the sea coast with turquoise water? And such nature exists in Canada!

Torngat Mountains National Park

And this Canadian miracle of nature is located in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Yellowknife

A city located in the Northern Territories of Canada. Known for the fact that people from all over Canada come here to admire one of the most important natural phenomena- northern lights.

Peyto Lake

Another one of the wonderful lakes in Alberta. Wonders of nature, right?

Dinosaur Provincial Park

Do you like prehistoric nature? There is something like this in Canada! Another part of Alberta with a completely different landscape. But Jurassic Park was not filmed here :)

Red Sand Beach

An incredible red sand beach is located on the island. Prince Edward. A unique Canadian natural site.

Black Tusk

Incredible a nice place in its landscape in British Columbia, called Black Tusk. Travelers say that when you climb to the top you feel like you are on Mars. Read more about how to get here