The final physical region of Canada if
you travel from the west coast to the east coast is called the Appalachian
Highlands, which is another name for the Atlantic Region. It may be the
last of our physical regions discussed but it was the first physical regions
that was re-discovered and inhabited by the early European settlers.
The area is located in all of the 4 maritime provinces (New Brunswick, Nova
Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador) as well as, the
majority of the area known as the Gaspé Peninsula in Quebec, often referred
to as the " Thumb of Quebec". The coastal climate varies
throughout this region, but generally the further east you go, the warmer it
gets. These areas are higher than the St. Lawrence, Great Lakes Lowlands (or
region). The reason is because this area was a mountain range that formed
millions and millions of years ago. Erosion and the movement of glacial ice
wore these mountains down until what is left is an area full of rocks, many
trees, rich soil, many lakes and coastal inlets. All of these wonderful
resources add to the economy and development of the Atlantic Region.
Water is truly plentiful in this region which includes the Gulf of
St. Lawrence, as well, as the Canadian coastal waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
Water always means tourism, as well, as transportation such as shipping
industry, and hydroelectricity. Moreover, in this area of Canada, water also
means the fishing industry. The fishing industry has a rich heritage in the
maritime provinces. Canadians have been fishing the Grand Banks since John
Cabot's discovery in 1497. Cod, halibut, herring , flounder, mackerel,
lobster, scallops, sole, crab, shrimp and mussels are just waiting for you
to sample. Unfortunately, since we've been over-fishing these areas since
1497, we've run into some problems of endangered species. The cod fish were
nearly wiped out. Many fishermen had to get another job or else move away
when they started to lose fish species. This, unfortunately, is an excellent
example for all Canadians to observe. Our abundant resources found in the 6
physical regions will not last forever. We must all be careful.
The Rocks of the Appalachian Highlands provide minerals for Canadians to
mine. Iron, zinc, and gold are a few of the minerals utilized and mined in
the Atlantic Region.
The trees of this regions are important to tourism/recreation industry
(hiking, camping) etc., as well as, they are used to produce pulp and paper.
Most of the pulp eventually becomes our daily newspapers.
Oil has been discovered under the ocean floor here. The Hibernia oil field
has helped boost the sagging economy of Newfoundland and Labrador because
many out of work fishermen can go and work on the floating oil derricks
found out in the ocean.
As we said before, there is also rich fertile soil found in some parts of
this regions. The agricultural industry isn't as large here as in other
regions in Canada, but livestock dairy, vegetables (PEI - potatoes), fruits ( Nova Scotia
- blueberries and apples), and some grains are produced and
exported to other parts of Canada, as well as, around the world.
The rich historical heritage and the maritime hospitality, traditions and
cultures allow for the tourism industry to thrive. Have you read the book
or seen the movie of " Anne of Green Gables" by LM Montgomery? Well, the
entire setting celebrates the beauty of the Appalachian Highlands. It is
worth the read!
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