How many geographical regions does Canada have?
Canada is divided into seven distinct regions, each with a different climate and landscape.
The Pacific Coast, characterized by warm pacific air currents has a moderate climate. The Vancouver Island's western coastal region receives huge amounts of rainfall and gives it a temperate climate. Though the region does not contain the diverse range of species that is typical of a rain forest there are some of the oldest trees of Canada located here including the Western Red Cedars which is 1300 years old.
The Cordillera, stretching from British Columbia to the eastern part of the Alberta border is characterized by plateaus and mountains.
The Prairies is home to the plains of Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba which are among the most fertile and richest grain producing areas in the whole world.
The Canadian Shield is the largest geographical feature of Canada and is a storehouse of a range of minerals including silver, gold, copper, zinc and uranium.
The Great Lakes is characterized by agricultural land. There are Lakes Ontario and Erie that ensure extended frost free days allowing for the cultivation of pears, peaches, grapes, as well as other fruits.
The Atlantic Provinces have rugged hills and an indented coastline. There are a number of fertile valleys that are located here including the Saint John River Valley as well as the Annapolis Valley.
The Arctic North is characterized by bitterly cold winters. However the region is not an inaccessible frontier any longer.
