World Geography

Human Perspective

• Fur trade was a major economic activity in early Canada
• Began in the 16th century, when Canada's Native American people, known as the First Nations, started trading with European fisherman along the northern Atlantic coast
• Trade soon developed and trappers and traders poured into Canada
• Came first from France then from England

1. An Increasingly Diverse Economy

• One of the world's richest countries
• Highly industrialized and urbanized
• Early economy was based largely on trade of its natural resources
• Today, manufacturing and service industries fuel the nation's economy
• A. Canada's Primary Industries
• Farming, logging, mining, and fishing are important Canadian industries
• Although only 5% of Canada's land is suitable for farming, Canada still produces large amounts of food for domestic use and for export
• Also a leader in the production of newsprint - paper made from wood pulp
• Mining is a major industry b/c of Canada's extensive