Chapter 1 The Cordillera YUKON NORTHWET TERRITORIE BRITIH COLUMBIA ALBERTA Big Question How can we help protect and manage God s gifts? Learning Goals identify the characteristics of the Cordillera and the human activities that take place there analyze maps evaluate the effects that logging has on the environment Hi, I m Noah. I live in the city of Vancouver in British Columbia. It s great here. I can snowboard on the mountains and swim in the ocean. Every summer, my family vacations on Vancouver Island. There are so many cool forest trails. I like to go biking on the trails with my family. Once, all five of us tried holding hands around a really huge tree. We couldn t reach! Last summer, when we biked that trail, the tree had been cut down. I know that God wants us to care for our world. I wonder if the wood from that tree was used in a way that shows that we care for people and our planet. This photo is of Castle Mountain, near the border of Alberta and British Columbia. 14 Many Gifts Unit 1 The Bible says... Let the earth bless the Lord; Bless the Lord, mountains and hills; Bless the Lord, seas and rivers; sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever. Daniel 3:74 78 (NRV) Our Faith
What Are the Physical Features and Climate of the Region? Physical Features Physical features are the natural parts of Earth s surface. The main physical feature of this region is the rows of mountains, or mountain ranges. A cordillera is a group of mountain ranges. This region also has many rivers, an ocean, and plateaus. A plateau is high, flat land, often between mountains. In the north, there is tundra. Tundra is a flat area with ground that is always frozen. Physical Features of the Cordillera YUKON Whitehorse INTE NORTHWET TERRITORIE Legend RIOR PACIFIC OCEAN Vancouver 68 km I N T A U N M O N Vancouver Island Victoria E AI IN NT TA U UN MOU MO PLATEA COAT OUTER N W R O C K Y BRITIH COLUMBIA mountains plateaus lowlands and valleys coniferous forests tundra province/territory capital city/town province/territory boundary international boundary ALBERTA The mountains in this region are higher and more rocky than mountains in other parts of Canada, such as in the Appalachian region on the east coast. The tops of the mountains in the Cordillera are jagged, rather than rounded. They have not been worn down by wind and rain, which suggests that these mountains are not as old as the mountains in the Appalachian region. COLUMBIA MOUNTAIN OKANAGAN VALLEY Chapter 1 The Cordillera 15
Catholic Connection God gave Moses the Ten Commandments at the top of Mount inai. People often feel closer to God in natural places. Where do you feel closest to God? Climate The climate of the Cordillera attracts many visitors. It is also why many people choose to live here. Climate means the weather patterns of an area over time. In winter, warm, wet winds blow from the Pacific Ocean. This creates mild, wet winters along the coast. In the mountains and interior areas where it is cooler, large amounts of snow often fall. In the north, winters are cold. In summer, the Cordillera is warm and dry. The southern interior gets very hot. ome parts of it are even desert-like. ummers in the northern areas are slightly cooler than in the south. Climate Zones of the Cordillera W E N Pacific Zone Legend 46 km Dawson City North Mou ntain Zone outh Mou ntain Zone Kelowna Vancouver very cold winter; cool summer cold winter; warm summer wet, mild winter; warm summer city/town international boundary C Dawson City mm 5 4 3 2 1 1 2 3 Jan Apr July Oct 16 14 12 1 8 6 4 2 C Kelowna mm 5 4 3 2 1 Legend average daily temperature average monthly precipitation This skier is enjoying one of the many outdoor activities available in this region. 1 2 3 Jan Apr July Oct 16 14 12 1 8 6 4 2 C Vancouver mm 5 16 4 14 3 12 2 1 1 8 6 1 2 4 2 3 Jan Apr July Oct Explore and Apply 1 2 How do you think the physical features and climate affect what people do for work and recreation in this region? Create a chart to show how the physical features of the Cordillera compare to those where you live. 16 Many Gifts Unit 1
Who Are the People of the Region? First Nations peoples, including the Haida, Hän, Coast alish, Nisga a, and Gwich in, were the first inhabitants of the Cordillera. Around 3 years ago, people from other parts of the world began to arrive here. People from Europe, the United tates, and Russia came for the animal furs, fish, trees, and minerals that this region is rich in. As industry in the region grew, people arrived from other parts of the world, including Japan, India, and China. Today, people from all over the world come to the Cordillera to live. This includes people who move here from other parts of Canada. Many people still come from China and India each year, but more and more new Canadians are coming from places such as the Philippines and outh America. The mining and lumber industries are an attraction for many people, but industries such as software development and filmmaking are growing, too. Thinking about ignificance The Yukon gold rush began in 1896. People rushed to the area to search for gold. In just one year, between 3 and 4 people came to Yukon and Northwest Territories. Why was the gold rush significant for the people already living in the Cordillera? Vancouver is Canada s third largest city. Examine this photo of Vancouver closely. Choose one aspect that makes the city a good place to live. Explain your choice. Explore and Apply 1 2 uggest some reasons why people move to the Cordillera. Consider the physical features, climate, and work opportunities in your answer. Create a radio, TV, or print ad promoting British Columbia or Yukon as a good place to live. Chapter 1 The Cordillera 17
How Do People Use the Gifts from God? Natural Resources Things found in nature that are valuable or useful to humans are called natural resources. There are two types of natural resources. Renewable resources, such as plants and trees, grow back over time. Non-renewable resources, such as minerals or oil, cannot be replaced once they have been used up. Earth and its natural resources are gifts from God. The natural resources of the Cordillera provide jobs and products we use every day. These natural resources need to be used in a sustainable way. ustainable means using resources in a way that ensures they are available in the future. Logging Coniferous trees grow well in the cool, rainy climate along the Pacific coast. Coniferous trees have needle-shaped leaves and grow cones. We need the wood from these trees for building materials and paper products. The Canadian government and the forestry industry work together to look for ways to protect forests. For example, they limit the number of trees that can be cut down in one area each year. This helps make logging sustainable. Mining Minerals such as coal, copper, silver, zinc, and gold are mined in the Cordillera. These non-renewable minerals are used to make everything from jewellery, cables, and batteries to toothpaste and shampoo. Mining must be done carefully because it can damage the land, air, and water. Researchers look for ways to reduce the effects on the environment of starting and running a mine. This truck is carrying coniferous trees that have been cut down in a sustainable way. When trees are not removed in a sustainable way, it is called clear-cutting. Clear-cutting means cutting down all the trees in one area. This practice changes the environment and destroys habitats. 18 Many Gifts Unit 1
Each year, billions of dollars worth of minerals are mined in the Cordillera. This photo shows a mine employee testing water in Yukon to see if mining activity is affecting the lakes and rivers. Water Resources The Pacific Ocean and the many lakes and rivers in the Cordillera have provided food for thousands of years. almon, halibut, herring, and shellfish are plentiful. The ocean and rivers in the region play other important roles. Electricity is created when rivers flow through dams, turning large turbines that run generators. This type of electricity is called hydroelectric power. Products are shipped in and out of Canada by water. The Port of Vancouver is the busiest port in Canada. Ocean-based tourism brings people from around the world. They come to boat, fish, scuba dive, and watch whales. People also come to fish and raft on the region s rivers. Faith in Action The Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District chool Board was the first in Ontario to ban the sale of bottled water in its schools. In 21, it joined with other school boards, colleges, and universities in a national campaign to get Back to the Tap. Explore and Apply 1 2 List some of the things you use each day that might have started as a natural resource from the Cordillera. How do you think the environment might have been affected by producing these products? Create a graphic organizer to show the physical features in this region. Explain how each physical feature might be related to industry, tourism, or recreation. Chapter 1 The Cordillera 19
Toolbox Analyze Maps The title tells you what information is included on the map. Lines have many uses. They can represent boundaries, rivers, and transportation routes. The legend shows what the symbols and colours mean. Canada s Political Regions and Physical Regions ARCTIC OCEAN ARCTIC Legend Cordillera Interior Plains Arctic Canadian hield Hudson Bay Lowlands Great Lakes t. Lawrence Lowlands Appalachian region national capital province/territory capital province/territory boundary international boundary YUKON PACIFIC OCEAN Victoria Whitehorse CO R D I L L ERA BRITIH COLUMBIA NORTHWET TERRITORIE Yellowknife ALBERTA 3 km I N TE R I O R P L A I N Edmonton AKATCHEWAN Regina NUNAVUT C A N MANITOBA Winnipeg N A W E D I A N H HUDON BAY HUDON BAY LOWLAND ONTARIO I E L D Iqaluit Ottawa Toronto QUÉBEC Québec City PRINCE EDWARD ILAND ATLANTIC OCEAN APPALACHIAN GREAT LAKE T. LAWRENCE LOWLAND NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR t. John s Charlottetown Halifax NOVA COTIA Fredericton NEW BRUNWICK The scale shows the distance measured on the map as it compares with the actual distance on the surface of Earth. A compass rose shows the cardinal directions (N, E,, W) and intermediate directions (NE, E, W, NW). ymbols can represent many things, including communities, natural resources, industries, and vegetation. Labels name physical features and places. 2 Many Gifts Unit 1
lnquiry Interpret and Analyze Follow these steps to analyze maps: 1 2 3 Look at the title of the map to help determine the map s purpose. Why was the map created? How can you use it? Is there a date provided? If so, why? Examine the map s features, such as colour and symbols. These help you read the map. Compare parts of the map. For example, you can compare the size of the different regions on the map on page 2. The thematic map below shows gold-mining areas near Dawson City in 1897. The annotations explain how mercury, a chemical used in the mining process, affected the area. Maps There are different types of maps. A thematic map displays information about a particular topic, such as vegetation, climate, or population. An annotated map is a type of thematic map that includes notes. Gold Mining Near Dawson City, 1897 Moosehide N Dawson City Klondike River gold mining community W E Fortymile River 1 2 Yukon River Dawson City was the centre of the Klondike Gold Rush. Bonanza Creek Miners working in creeks upstream from Dawson City used mercury in the mining process. Explore and Apply Hunker Creek What tools help you read and analyze maps? Too Much Gold Creek 3 km Mercury in the water affected fish and humans downstream from the mines. In which direction would a person have to travel to go from Whitehorse to Winnipeg? From Ottawa to Halifax? The site of Dawson City was once a Hän First Nation fishing camp. Between 1896 and 1898, the population of Dawson City increased to over 3 people. The Hän were forced to move to Moosehide, a reserve northwest of the city (seen in this photo from 19). Mercury from gold mining affected their waterways and food supplies. Today, First Nations peoples from Canada and Alaska help to protect the river water. Chapter 1 The Cordillera 21
potlight on Political Regions Dawson City YUKON Whitehorse Fort t. James British Columbia ize 922 59 square kilometres People population 4 65 4 Aboriginal population 232 29 BRITIH COLUMBIA 65 36 Catholics Victoria Vancouver Canada is divided into political regions called provinces and territories. Provinces can create their own laws for things such as education and the environment. Territories work with the Canadian government to make these decisions. Provinces control their own lands but territories do not. However, territories are gaining more power to make decisions about issues that affect them. British Columbia is a province and Victoria is its capital city. This is a photo of Fisherman s Wharf, a small community near Victoria s Inner Harbour. 22 Many Gifts Unit 1 38 693 Grade 4 students Industries logging, mining, fishing, fruit canning Festivals Dragon Boat Festival (Vancouver) FJ Heritage Days (Fort t. James) Official Plant and Animal Pacific dogwood spirit bear
Yukon ize 474 713 square kilometres People population 33 897 Aboriginal population 775 612 Catholics 349 Grade 4 students Explore and Apply 1 Consider the populations of British Columbia and Yukon. Using other information from this chapter, think of three reasons more people live in British Columbia than in Yukon. Industries Festivals Official Plant and Animal logging, mining Yukon Quest led Dog Race (Whitehorse) Yukon ourdough Rendezvous Festival (Whitehorse) fireweed 2 Create a new flag for either British Columbia or Yukon that reflects what you have learned about it. Explain the features you have included and the colours you have used. raven Yukon is a territory and its capital city is Whitehorse. The population of Whitehorse is about 26 people. Compare the photos of the two capital cities, Victoria and Whitehorse. What do you notice? Chapter 1 The Cordillera 23
Pulling It Together Father Mike Explains... It is important that we do not take for granted God s gifts of nature. Our planet is a reflection of God s goodness, and we need to care for it in order to provide a home for future generations. ee What does Noah see happening in the Cordillera? How does he feel about it? Reflect Explain how logging in a sustainable way shows respect for the gifts God has given us. Act Create a plan for reducing and reusing paper products in your home and at school. What can you start doing today that would help? How Can We Be Good tewards? I know that God gives humans many things in nature that are useful and good. It is up to us to decide how we use these gifts. For example, I use things made from trees in different ways. I read books and comics, and I use notebooks. ome of my sports equipment, home, and furniture are made from wood. I m glad to hear that logging companies are trying to log in a sustainable way. I sometimes think about the big tree that was cut down near the forest trail. I wonder if enough is being done to protect nature. I hope that we are taking care of God s gifts so that they will always be here for people to use and enjoy. Noah A man stands on the stump of a western red cedar on Vancouver Island. If you were standing on this tree stump, what thoughts and questions would be running through your mind? 24 Many Gifts Unit 1
ummarizing Create a chart like the one below to summarize each section in this chapter. Region Cordillera Physical Features and Climate People of the Region How People Use Gifts from God Provinces and Territories in the Region Making Connections The Cordillera and Canada are blessed with the gift of fresh water. We must conserve this gift. List, in order of importance, the uses of water in your home. how the four most important uses of water on a drawing of a glass. Discuss how your daily routine would change if you were only allowed to run your water from 7: a.m. to 9: a.m. The Bible says... Let the earth bless the Lord; Bless the Lord, mountains and hills; Bless the Lord, seas and rivers; sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever. Daniel 3:74 78 (NRV) Chapter lnquiry You are in charge of finding a location for a new summer camp in the Cordillera. Make sure that the location will provide lots of opportunities for fun activities. You also want your camp to be environmentally friendly. Gather information from maps, photos, and text to identify and analyze locations suitable for a camp. A chart like the one below may help you. What are the main physical features of the Cordillera? What summer activities would be available for campers in each area? I think that the best location for the camp is... because... How might the environment be affected by the camp and its activities? Chapter 1 The Cordillera 25