Unit 32. Geographical position of Canada

Read and translate the text

Canada occupies the northern part of the North American continent and some islands. It borders on the USA. The country is washed by the Pacific Ocean in the west, by the Atlantic Ocean in the east and by the Arctic Ocean and  its seas in the north.

The Canadian north remains one of the least settled and least exploited parts of the world. About 2 per cent of the Canadian territory is covered by glacier ice.

The eastern parts of the country are mainly valleys and plains. The western territories are occupied by the Cordilleras. They stretch from the American border to the Arctic Ocean.

The Cordillera region is composed of numerous mountain groups: the Rocky Mountains, the Coast Mountains and others.

The main Canadian  islands are New­foundland, Victorian Island, Baffin Island and  others.

There are a lot of  rivers and  lakes in Canada. Among them there are the Great Bear Lake, the Great Slave Lake and the Great Lakes District. The largest rivers are the Nelson, the Ottawa, the Mackenzie and the Yukon.

The population of Canada is about 25 million people. It is mainly concentrated in large cities.

The economically significant area of the country is its western part.

Canada is rich in mineral resources, such as non­ferrous metals, uranium, oil, natural gas and coal. It is also exceptionally rich in forests and fur­bearing animals.

All these factors led Canada to the position of a highly­developed country.

32.2. Answer the questions:

1. What oceans is Canada washed by?

2. What are the main islands of Canada?

3. What kind of landscape is there in the western territories?

4. What are the main mountains?

5. What are the biggest rivers and lakes in Canada?

 

UNIT 33. CLIMATE AND NATURE OF CANADA

33.1. Read and translate the text

Canada is situated in the northern part of the North American continent. It is washed by the Pacific Ocean in the west, by the Atlantic Ocean in the east and by the Arctic Ocean and its seas in the north. That is why the climate and the nature of Canada are much varied. The northern parts lie in the subarctic and arctic climatic zones. Most of the northern islands are covered with ice. The bays between them are covered with ice for 9—10 months a year. This territory has a climate with very cold winters and short, cool summers. The average winter temperature is about 35 degrees below zero. The average summer temperature is about 4 degrees above zero.

   It contrasts with the rest of the territory, where the climate is moderate. This part gets enough amount of rainfall and  heat. In the south there are large areas of fertile soils. The west of the country has a mild and humid climate thanks to a warm Pacific current. The average winter temperature is about 4 degrees above zero there. The average summer temperature is 21 degrees above zero. The region of the Cordilleras is famous for its beautiful forests. Canadian west is the most attractive part of the country. The snow­capped mountains and ocean bays create a surprisingly beautiful atmosphere. Besides, Canadian south is known for its changeable weather. Sometimes it is too humid, and some­ times it is too dry: the weather can change very quickly.

     The Niagara Falls situated in that part of the country attracts people from all over the world by its unusual beauty.

33.2. Answer the questions:

1. Where is Canada situated?

2. Where are the northern parts of Canada situated?

3. What is the average temperature in summer and in winter?

4. What kind of climate is it in Canada?

5. What do you know about the Niagara Falls?

UNIT 34. OUTSTANDING HISTORICAL EVENTS OF CANADA

34.1. Read and translate the text

Modern Canada originated as a country of immigrants.

Before the 15^th century Canada was populated by different Indian tribes. In the far north there were tribes of Eskimos. An English seaman, John Cabot, discovered the island of Newfoundland in 1497. Then many settlements of Spanish, English and French fishermen appeared on the coasts of Newfoundland. In the 16^th century Jacques Carter, the French navigator, explored the Saint Lawrence River, and later French colonies were set up. The long struggle for Canadian territories between England and France finished in 1763 after the Seven­Years’ War. The whole Canada was  proclaimed a British possession. Only some minor parts of the country remained French. After the War of American Independence a lot of English colonists immigrated to Canada. In 1837 there were rebellions in both parts of the country. The English and French settlers wanted to have the government and the state of their own. At last, in 1867, after long discussions, a federation was formed out of four provinces. Later the rest of the provinces joined this federation. Thus 1867 is considered to be the birth year of the modern state of Canada. But only after World War I Canada became more independent.

34.2. Answer the questions:

1. Who was Canada populated by before the 15th century?

2. Who discovered the island of Newfoundland?

3. Who explored the Saint Lawrence River?

4. When was Canada founded?

5. When did Canada become more independent?

 

UNIT 35. POLITICAL SYSTEM OF CANADA

35.1. Read and translate the text

Canada is an independent federal parliamentary state. The Queen of Great Britain, Elizabeth II, is the official head of the state, but the Governor General acts as her representative.

Canada combines the American federal form of government with the British cabinet system. As a federation, Canada is made up of ten provinces and two territories. Canadian central government in Ottawa represents all the peoples of Canada. Each province has its own government and parliament.

Parliament of Canada consists of two houses, the Upper House called the Senate, and the Lower House called the House of Commons. The Senate has 104 members. Senators are appointed by the Governor General on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. The Senate has less power than the House of Commons. Members of the House of Commons are elected for a term of five years.

The cabinet system of Canada unites the legislative and the executive branches. The Prime Minister and the Cabinet are usually members of the House of Commons, which is the highest authority in the government. The Cabinet consists of 20 or more ministers, chosen by the Prime Minister from leaders of the majority party in the House of Commons.

  Today most of the Governor General’s powers have disappeared and he follows the directions of the Cabinet.

  The two leading political parties in Canada are the Progressive Conservative Party and the Liberal Party. The New Democratic Party is also rather influential.

The Constitution of the country was only adopted in 1982.

35.2. Answer the questions:

1. Who is the head of the country?

2. Where is the government situated?

3. How many provinces are there in Canada?

4. What does Parliament of Canada consist of?

5. How many leading political parties are there in Canada nowadays?

 

UNIT 36. CANADIAN CITIES AND TOWNS

36.1. Read and translate the text

Canada is a country with rapid growth of the population. It is mainly concentrated in large cities. The most important among them is the capital of the country, Ottawa. It is situated on the picturesque bank of the Ottawa River. One third of its population is descendants of English and French immigrants. Before the colonization the Ottawa region was an Indian trading centre. The name of the city comes from the Indian word meaning “trade”. For a very long time Ottawa was a fur­ trading centre. The suburbs of the city house different industrial factories: electronic enterprises, food­ processing factories, paper mills and others. Ottawa is a city of bridges. There are more than 20 bridges in the city. Ottawa is famous for its walks, along which about a million of tulips bloom in spring.

Toronto, one of the largest cities, is the home of leading banks and corporations. It is the major industrial centre of the country. Toronto is a port on Lake Ontario, one of the Great Lakes.

Another huge port of Canada is Montreal, situated on the St Lawrence River. More than 5000 freight ships come to that port every year. Three universities are situated in the city. It is also one of the shopping and cultural centres of the country.

Vancouver is a garden city. It is a very picturesque city, which lies between snow­capped mountains and an ocean bay in the west of Canada. It is the largest port on the Pacific coast and the centre of Canadian trade.

36.2. Answer the questions:

1. What is the capital of Canada?

2. Where is Ottawa situated?

3. What are the main cities and towns in Canada?

4. What is the major industrial centre of the country?

5. What are the hugest ports in Canada?