SOURCE: Calvin State University, Wikipedia - Population and Population Density per Province Map

1. How does the geographical size of Canada affect our identity as Canadians?

• Population and Population Density

Canada is the world's second-largest country, falling shortly behind from surpassing Russia. While size can serve benefits, it can also serve disadvantages. The country's harsh and frigid winters make a majority of its region unsuitable for habitation, resulting in approximately 80% of Canada's population living in the southernmost 10% of Canada's landmass. Canada's most populous cities such as Calgary, Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Quebec, etc are all located South due to proximity to major urban centers, and more hospitable conditions. With its massive size yet small population, Canada's population density is only 4.2 people per square kilometer. For reference, the population density in the United States is 37 people per square kilometer, 152 people per square kilometer in China, 480 people in India, or 9 people per square kilometer in Russia.

With such a small population density and population in general but so much land, people are often more spread out, resulting in a lack of interaction and harder means of transportation and trade. This emphasizes the need for air travel, and extensive road systems such as highways, and railroads to connect distant areas for transportation and the purposes of trade.

• Suburbanization

Suburbanization is the process of population growth and the expansion of residential, commercial, and industrial areas from a central city into surrounding suburban areas. Most North American cities, primarily in Canada and the United States, are built around the idea and concept of suburbanization. The USA and Canada are geographically large countries with abundant land resources, especially in comparison to many European nations. This abundance of land made it feasible to develop suburbs on a larger scale. In Calgary for example, a majority of our city revolves around suburban areas with some arguing it's just one large suburb with a downtown in the middle.

A larger geographical area often provides more space for suburban expansion. In larger regions, suburbanization can extend over greater distances, resulting in the development of more extensive suburban areas and potentially contributing to urban sprawl. Calgary offers a lot of unoccupied landmass that can be used for suburbanization. With so much land and low population density, there is a lot of flat land available that can be used to construct more homes and suburbs, whereas, in regions of Europe and Asia, high population density and little room to work with makes apartments tighter spaces of living more popular and affordable. This brings a sense of freedom and space.

• Multiculturalism

The concept of multiculturalism and the presence of diverse ethnic groups and cultures are widely associated with Canada as a whole. The vast expanse and rich availability of natural resources in Canada have facilitated its open-armed embrace of people from various corners of the globe, thereby enriching its cultural tapestry. However, it is worth noting that the northern regions – encompassing the Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Nunavut – hold a distinct position within Canadian identity. These areas are deeply influenced by indigenous cultures which forge a profound connection to the North, shaping how Canadians perceive their nation. Furthermore, Quebec stands apart as the sole province predominantly characterized by French-speaking residents within Canada's borders; this fact renders Canada an exceptional bilingual country.

• Economic-Factors

International trade plays a crucial role in shaping Canada's economy, upon which it relies heavily. The nation's substantial reserves of natural resources and expansive territory position it as a prominent participant in the global export arena. This active engagement with imports and exports contributes significantly to its GDP, accounting for approximately 30-40% of economic output. 

Canada's size has a drastic influence and role on its economic state, shaping its economic opportunities, challenges, and priorities. With its size, Canada is a leading source of minerals, timber, oil, natural gas, and freshwater. Its vast landmass provides various opportunities for resource extraction and agriculture. Canada has some of the most abundant sources of freshwater in the world, thanks to our winters and heavy snowfall. Canada has diverse energy sources, from hydroelectric power in BC to oil sands in Alberta and various spaces for the construction of windmills and solar panels. Additionally, Canada's warm climate during the summertime and abundance in space make it a great environment for agriculture including wheat, canola, and livestock.

Additionally, its size brings diverse landscapes and gorgeous sceneries from the Rocky Mountains to the Interior Plains, to Lake Louise and Banff National Park, to Vancouver's Sea Wall which attracts millions of tourists each year. Travel alone accounts for nearly 1.3% of Canada's GDP alone. It brings an attachment between us and the environment, bringing many opportunities for various sports and outdoor activities such as hiking, sailing, camping, and simply enjoying Canada's natural beauty away from large cities and urban sprawls. 

• Transportation

How long it takes to drive and travel from one province to another can take nearly as long as how long it would take from one country to another in Europe. Its size brings challenges and problems in transportation, making driving, air travel, and trains more prominent and common. Because cities are more spaced out, you may find yourself spending more money on gas. This can make it harder for us to transport cargo and different goods across the country.

Here in Canada, the CPR (Canadian Pacific Railway) freight train works to connect all the major industrial cities together. They deliver cargo and goods across the country, alongside trucks. This can take time as these trains travel at very slow speeds and take long detours and stops. This is why maritime cities, such as Vancouver, Toronto, Shanghai, New York, and Tokyo are among some of the most developed countries in the world since they have close access to harbors and ports which make transportation much quicker and accessible. 

2. Ottawa, the capital of Canada is located in Ontario. How would the perspective of Ottawa’s geographical location differ from someone living in Western Canada versus Eastern Canada?

• Western Canada

Western Canada accounts for British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba; the Prarie Provinces. and the West Coast Pacific Regions. Western Canada is known for its diverse landscapes and majestic mountains, pristine lakes, and expansive prairies. In Western Canada, you'll find the Rocky Mountains which spans across Alberta to British Columbia, covering popular destinations such as Banff and Jasper National Parks. Their lush rainforests and coastlines within B.C. offer different rich biodiversity and stunning beauties. The Pacific Coast borders the Western Coast, where you can go sailing, whale watching, or just enjoy the incredible views offered in Vancouver and Victoria. Western Canada is known for its National Parks, such as Glacier National Park, Banff National Park, and various others which offer rich wildlife, and numerous lakes and rivers, including Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Okanagan Lake, and various others.

• Eastern Canada

Eastern Canada is comprised of four main provinces; Quebec, Ontario (Ottawa), New Brunswick, and the main maritime provinces of Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and P.E.I. Living in Eastern Canada gives you more access to historical sites in Quebec City, Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Halifax, and St. John's. Eastern Canada offers a more diverse population, with a variety of different cultures, languages, and traditions especially in Quebec and New Brunswick, both which has French as their official language. They also offer stunning natural beauties, such as Niagara Falls, the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence River, and gorgeous coastlines from the Maritime provinces.

The way people perceive Ottawa's geographical location depends on where they live in Canada. For those living in Western Canada, like British Columbia and Alberta, Ottawa seems far away geographically. It requires a lot of travel, often crossing multiple provinces. The time zone difference also adds to this sense of distance since Ottawa is located in the Eastern Time Zone. On the other hand, for residents of Eastern Canada including Quebec, New Brunswick, and the Atlantic provinces, Ottawa feels more accessible. They share the same time zone as Ottawa and are closer in proximity to it. Regardless of these differences though, Ottawa holds great political and administrative importance for the entire country by shaping federal policies and governance. Meanwhile, individuals from Western Canada may have a stronger attachment to their regional identity tied to unique landscapes and local communities that differ from those found near Ottawa.

SOURCE: Calvin State University - Simplified Political Map (Provinces, capital cities, and bodies of water)

3. How does the geography of specific provinces affect the identity of the people living there? Provide at least 3 examples.

Depending on where you live, you may be exposed to different environments and conditions of living, which as a result, may result in varied worldviews. Let's take a look at some key examples:

• British Columbia

BC offers majestic mountain ranges, from the Coast Mountains to the Rockies which span across B.C. and Alberta. With lush rainforests, B.C. fosters a strong outdoor and adventure-oriented identity amongst its residents, filled with adventures for you to endure on the waves through sailing, kayaking, and seafood adventures, or up high in the mounties.  Many British Columbians are avid hikers, skiers, and outdoor enthusiasts, and this love for nature and wilderness is a core part of their identity. Beyond its diverse landscapes, BC also offers a diverse population. The province's major cities, particularly Metro Vancouver, are home to a rich mix of ethnic communities. B.C consists of the largest Chinese population in all of Canada, giving you a taste of different cultural foods, experiences, and architecture through Vancouver's Chinatown.

• Alberta

Similar to B.C., Alberta is also home to the Canadian Rockies. This stunning mountain range alongside the province's national parks of Banff and Jasper brings many opportunities for outdoor adventures such as hiking, skiing, mountain biking, and camping. Alberta is a private province, where its landscape is widely associated with agriculture and ranching. Many Albertans have a deep connection to farming and country life. berta's geography is rich in natural resources, particularly oil and gas reserves in the northern region. The province's identity is strongly tied to its resource-based economy. Residents often identify with the energy sector and the economic prosperity and employment opportunities it provides contribute to a sense of economic self-reliance. Companies such as Suncor, ENMAX, and many more bring many job opportunities to Albertans. Additionally, Alberta fosters a strong Cowboy Culture, especially in Southern Alberta. With events such as the Calgary Stampede, the "greatest outdoor show on earth", cowboy culture has truly been an integral part of Alberta's identity. 

• Ontario

Ontario is the largest province within Canada, home to Toronto, and Ottawa (the capital city of Canada). Ontario is home to the Great Lakes and provides various opportunities for boating, fishing, and swimming. Ontario is also home to Niagara Falls which has been one of the most popular tourist attractions within the province.  Ontario is the most populous province in Canada, and it includes major cities like Toronto, Ottawa (the national capital), and cities in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The urban nature of southern Ontario fosters a diverse and multicultural identity among its residents. Ontario fosters a diverse and multicultural identity amongst its residents, and has been referred to as the "economic and cultural heart of Canada". But Toronto has its cons, and so does every other province. Toronto's traffic and congestion problem is especially bad, with some of the worst traffic congestion in the country. Its population density and rapid urbanization on major highways and arterial roads are big issues that have failed to be addressed. The commuting times can lead to reduced productivity and decreased quality of life, and its public transportation system has failed to meet population growth. Alongside urban sprawl, this has also contributed to longer commutes and increased congestion. Toronto is also the most expensive city in Canada, making it hard to afford homes and further driving the homelessness crisis.