Geography
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| A map showing all of the geographic regions of Canada |
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| A map showing the latitude and longitude of Canada |
The St. Lawrence Lowlands are divided into three main groups: the West, the Central, and the East. The West is made up of limestone plains split by shale lowlands. The area was sculpted by glaciation, and this is evident by the layers of glacial till that are found here. The glaciation also formed both plains and rolling fields in the area. The Central was also formed by glaciation, evident by the glacial and marine deposits on the sedimentary rock base. Interesting features of this part of the St. Lawrence Lowlands are the seven Monteregian hills, which are exposed roots of volcanoes that formed in the area about 120 000 000 years ago. The East is made up of sedimentary rocks, and there are also small plateaus and plains near the coastline.
Climate
Since this region is very close to the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence Lowlands are very wet and humid, with precipitation ranging anywhere from 720mm to 1000mm of rain each year and up to 800mm of snow each year. In the Winter, temperatures can reach as low as -30 degrees Celsius. In the Summer, it can get up to 20 degrees Celsius.
Since this region is very close to the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence Lowlands are very wet and humid, with precipitation ranging anywhere from 720mm to 1000mm of rain each year and up to 800mm of snow each year. In the Winter, temperatures can reach as low as -30 degrees Celsius. In the Summer, it can get up to 20 degrees Celsius.
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| Climograph of Toronto, ON |
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| Climograph of Quebec City, QC |
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| Climograph of Montreal, QC |
Most of the soils in this region are either Bruinsols or Luvisols, the latter of which is a forest soil usually characterized by an accumulation of clay. However, much of the soil in this region has been changed to accommodate agriculture and urban needs. The climate in this region is continental, which means that it is not directly influenced by oceans or air masses. This is because it is not close enough to any oceans to be directly influenced and the air masses have already dropped all of their moisture on places closer to the ocean. Because of global warming, the temperatures of the Great Lakes are rising, which could in turn raise the temperature in the region. An increased temperature can cause a higher level of evaporation to occur, resulting in droughts.
Flora And Fauna
Because their are many different biomes within this region, there is great biodiversity here. All kinds of trees, like sugar maple, american beech, basswood, and shagbark hickory, as well as white oak, red oak, and black walnut can all be found here. However, forestry has led to over 80% of these trees being cut down. Some adaptations that these trees have are broad, thin leaves to capture as much sunlight as possible, and shedding their leaves in the Fall. They trees do this because cooler temperatures can damage the trees. To do this, they then cut off the water supply to their leaves, which is why they change colour, and they eventually die and fall off.
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| Trees changing colour in the Fall |
Animals that were originally native to this area include mountain lions, coyotes, deer, elk, and bison. However, some of them have since been hunted into near extinction. Fish that are native here include lake trout, whitefish, and sturgeon. Now, the agriculture and urbanization of the area have attracted new species of animals, such as squirrels, voles, and skunks, starlings, and sparrows, to the region. Some adaptations that the animals have developed include hibernation, migration, and food storage, an example being squirrels burying their nuts or putting them in trees.
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| A squirrel collecting food for Winter |
Human Geography
Even though the St. Lawrence Lowlands is one of the smallest regions in Canada, it has the biggest population - about 16 611 650 people. The region is so densely populated because both the rich farmland, and the business opportunities. This region, specifically Toronto, is known as the business hub of Canada, and because so many businesses and companies are based here, the population is very large and very dense. For example, Toronto alone has over 2 600 000 people. Some other major cities in this region include Hamilton and Montreal. The density of the region has resulted in most of the forests in the area being cut down, so this region is mostly made up of industrial space.
Even though the St. Lawrence Lowlands is one of the smallest regions in Canada, it has the biggest population - about 16 611 650 people. The region is so densely populated because both the rich farmland, and the business opportunities. This region, specifically Toronto, is known as the business hub of Canada, and because so many businesses and companies are based here, the population is very large and very dense. For example, Toronto alone has over 2 600 000 people. Some other major cities in this region include Hamilton and Montreal. The density of the region has resulted in most of the forests in the area being cut down, so this region is mostly made up of industrial space.
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| People in downtown Montreal |
Economy
The first economic industries in the St. Lawrence Lowlands were fur trading, manufacturing (iron, steel, clothing, and breweries), flour and saw mills, water transportation, and forestry. Because this region was linked to all of Canada by railway, it could easily export goods all over Canada and soon became the financial center of the country. In the late 1980's, the manufacturing industry was mainly controlled by automotives. Ford, Chrysler, and GM, Toyota, and Hyundai all have assembly plants in this area. Today, this industry employs more than 75 000 Canadians. In addition, the high-tech and financial industries are also very prominent in the area. For example, Northern Telecom, or Nortel, designed the first electronic switching device in the 1970s, followed by multiple other breakthroughs in digital technology. Also, most of Canada's banks, trust companies, and insurance companies have head offices in this region. The St. Lawrence Lowlands house the largest market in Canada, and still have the advantages required to keep it as the economic engine of Canada.
The first economic industries in the St. Lawrence Lowlands were fur trading, manufacturing (iron, steel, clothing, and breweries), flour and saw mills, water transportation, and forestry. Because this region was linked to all of Canada by railway, it could easily export goods all over Canada and soon became the financial center of the country. In the late 1980's, the manufacturing industry was mainly controlled by automotives. Ford, Chrysler, and GM, Toyota, and Hyundai all have assembly plants in this area. Today, this industry employs more than 75 000 Canadians. In addition, the high-tech and financial industries are also very prominent in the area. For example, Northern Telecom, or Nortel, designed the first electronic switching device in the 1970s, followed by multiple other breakthroughs in digital technology. Also, most of Canada's banks, trust companies, and insurance companies have head offices in this region. The St. Lawrence Lowlands house the largest market in Canada, and still have the advantages required to keep it as the economic engine of Canada.
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| Toronto, one of the biggest industrial cities in the St. Lawrence Lowlands |
Environmental Concerns
A major environmental issue in the St. Lawrence Lowlands in air pollution. Since this area has such a big population, the level of pollution is higher. For example, more people means more cars, and more cars means more carbon dioxide being put into the air. All of these emissions, along with those from smokestacks and manufacturing plants, cause the Greenhouse Effect to take place. The Greenhouse Effect is when carbon dioxide and other gasses form a layer around the Earth's atmosphere, which prevents the sun's rays from bouncing out back into space, which results in a hotter, more humid climate. This hotter, wetter environment allows pollutants to spread easier, and will also cause thunder storms and floods. The people in this region have tried to lessen the air pollution by removing chemicals from the paint that they use on cars. Other methods include tougher laws for the manufacturers regarding the amount of chemicals that they release, and even limiting the population of the area. Some conflicts that have emerged from these proposals, such as the point that limiting the population would also limit job opportunities, which would prevent the region from growing economically. I think the best way to resolve this issue would be to, once again, encourage people to use their cars as little as possible, and encourage the manufacturers to reduce their chemical input to the atmosphere any way they can, and even make laws regarding the matter if necessary.
A major environmental issue in the St. Lawrence Lowlands in air pollution. Since this area has such a big population, the level of pollution is higher. For example, more people means more cars, and more cars means more carbon dioxide being put into the air. All of these emissions, along with those from smokestacks and manufacturing plants, cause the Greenhouse Effect to take place. The Greenhouse Effect is when carbon dioxide and other gasses form a layer around the Earth's atmosphere, which prevents the sun's rays from bouncing out back into space, which results in a hotter, more humid climate. This hotter, wetter environment allows pollutants to spread easier, and will also cause thunder storms and floods. The people in this region have tried to lessen the air pollution by removing chemicals from the paint that they use on cars. Other methods include tougher laws for the manufacturers regarding the amount of chemicals that they release, and even limiting the population of the area. Some conflicts that have emerged from these proposals, such as the point that limiting the population would also limit job opportunities, which would prevent the region from growing economically. I think the best way to resolve this issue would be to, once again, encourage people to use their cars as little as possible, and encourage the manufacturers to reduce their chemical input to the atmosphere any way they can, and even make laws regarding the matter if necessary.
Comparison To Another Location
A location outside of Canada that resembles the St. Lawrence Lowlands is the Northeast Asian Deciduous Forest in Eastern China. It not only resembles the climate, but also the level of pollution of the St. Lawrence Region, as China is a very polluted country due to its massive population. Some plants in this region are pine trees, spruce trees, manchurian elm, mongolian oak, bamboo, and asian ginseng. Many of the trees in this area have adapted by tilting towards the sun to receive has much heat and light energy as possible. Some animals that live here are red-crowned cranes, red pandas, sika deer, leopards, and siberian tigers. Pandas have adapted to the climate in this region by growing thick coats to keep themselves warm in the Winter. Some animals here also hibernate in the Winter. Other smaller animals that live here, like rodents, have adapted by being camouflaged to blend in with the ground.
A location outside of Canada that resembles the St. Lawrence Lowlands is the Northeast Asian Deciduous Forest in Eastern China. It not only resembles the climate, but also the level of pollution of the St. Lawrence Region, as China is a very polluted country due to its massive population. Some plants in this region are pine trees, spruce trees, manchurian elm, mongolian oak, bamboo, and asian ginseng. Many of the trees in this area have adapted by tilting towards the sun to receive has much heat and light energy as possible. Some animals that live here are red-crowned cranes, red pandas, sika deer, leopards, and siberian tigers. Pandas have adapted to the climate in this region by growing thick coats to keep themselves warm in the Winter. Some animals here also hibernate in the Winter. Other smaller animals that live here, like rodents, have adapted by being camouflaged to blend in with the ground.
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| Climograph of Hohhot, China |
The main industries in this region are forestry, mining, coal, aluminum, fertilizers, locomotives, ships, aircrafts, and food processing. The industry that has the biggest effect on the forest is, obviously, forestry. The cutting down of trees has had a very negative on the amount of asian ginseng, which is a rare, medical plant. Although many of the trees in the area have been cut down, there are still small patches that are protected, mainly for religious and cultural reasons.
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