Appalachian Highlands

The final physical region of Canada if you travel from the west coast to the east coast is called the Appalachian Highlands.  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 in question 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 know as the Gaspe Peninsula in Quebec.  (Often referred to the peninsula 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 2 lowlands.  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.  What is left is an area full of rocks, many trees, rich soil, lakes and coastal inlets.  All of these wonderful resources add to the economy and development of the Appalachian Highlands. 

Water is truly plentiful in this regions.  Did I mention that this region includes the  Gulf of St. Lawrence as well as the Canadian coastal waters of the Atlantic Ocean.  Water always means fun tourism as well as transportation. (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 Grande 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.  This unfortunately is an excellent example for all Canadians to observe.  Our abundant resources found in the 7 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. 

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.  The Hibernia oil field has helped boost the sagging economy of Newfoundland and Labrador.  Here many out of work fishermen can go and work on the floating oil derricks found out in the ocean.

As previously stated 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 but livestock dairy, vegetables (PEI, potatoes YUM! ),fruits ( Nova Scotia blueberries and apples), 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 allows 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!