There is much to celebrate when it comes to Canada’s 150th birthday as a nation. Travel this great land and you soon come to realize that one of the most significant aspects of our country is its rich and diversified geography.
It is remarkable that a land so divided by its varied terrain has remained so unified as a nation. Take a good look at Canada’s topography and you soon realize that our geographic features tend to run in a north-south pattern while our political and economic ties attempt to make east-west connections. This has been a challenge throughout our confederation.
Our country is the second largest in size in the world. Our six time zones are a reflection of the sheer scope and size of our nation. The geography of this land is vastly different from coast to coast. We have it all—rain forests, awe-inspiring mountain ranges, wide-open prairies, treeless tundra, barren rock, fertile farmland, picturesque valleys and rugged coastlines. In fact, Canada has more coastline than any other nation in the world (how about 243,000 km more).
Canadians can boast (but we’re too polite to do so) having more of many other natural geographic features. We have more lakes, almost two million, than anyone else and most of these are pristine in nature. Plus we have the largest source of fresh water in the world which tallies into one-seventh of the world’s supply. The Hudson Bay is the world’s largest inland sea.
Our boreal forests represent 30 per cent of what is on our planet Earth. Canada has the highest tides in the world (check out the Bay of Fundy if you haven’t yet done so). And our side of the Niagara Falls is far more breath-taking than the American side. We truly enjoy some of the most magnificent scenery in the world and it’s all right here in our own backyard.
But our vastness and ruggedness has not always made things easy for those running this nation. Sir John A. Macdonald, our country’s first prime minister, knew that people needed a physical connection to ensure that our country stay united and to remind other nations that this land belonged to Canada.
What resulted was the massive and difficult undertaking of building a transcontinental railway. Building through mud-sucking muskeg which swallowed huge machinery and laying track on the sheer mountain sides of the Rockies were daunting tasks. But the promise to construct such a railway convinced British Columbia to join confederation. Many decades later the TransCanada highway would be completed, making it (no surprise here) the longest highway in the world.
Our government also shares the task of securing the longest international border in the world. It is also one of the few undefended borders, so thank goodness for friendly neighbours!
Despite the sectionalism created by our geography we have managed to create a strong national identity. It is truly a testament to the character and willpower of the people who have built and continue to build this “true North strong and free” nation. Our “true patriot love” is proof that there is strength in diversity, whether it be in our people or in our geography.
Happy 150th Canada!
