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Early History
The first inhabitants of Canada were native Indian people who were called as Inuits. They are believed to be in Canada since about 10000 BC. The Inuits came to Canada from Asia crossing the Bering land bridge .
The earliest discoveries in Canada were made by the Vikings . In AD 985 Vikings sailing from Iceland to Greenland were blown westward off their course and the Vikings sighted the coast of Labrador peninsula. The report of forested areas encouraged further exploration because the colonies in Greenland which belonged to the Vikings lacked lumber .
In AD 1000 Leif Ericson became the first European to land in North America. The first colony was established what was described as Vinland by the Vikings. It was located on the northernmost tip of todays Newfoundland.
There has also been a theory that the Vikings penetrated Hudson Bay and reached the Great Lakes region but recent investigations have cast serious doubt on it.
The Greenland colony died out during the 15th century and the Viking adventures in Canada must have come to an end long before that time.
The Colony of New France
By 1600 French interest in Canada was renewed because of the beaver pelt trade and the fishing industry. First French colony was established in eastern Canada. Because of the French settlement the French established a claim to the Gulf of St. Lawrence area. An agreement was made between the King of France and a private fur-trading company that if the company brought settlers to New France then they would have a monopoly on the fur trade.
Early attempts of colonization failed but the first permanent colony was established by a French nombleman and a mapmaker named Samuel de Champlain. Their first small community located in present -day New Brunswick which was called Acadia. There were really harsh climate conditions so they moved to a more sheltered harbour what is now Nova Scotia.
They survived in Nova Scotia but they soon decided that their settlement was too far from the centre of fur trade and they chose to establish a new settlement along the St. Lawrence river . Some people decided to go back to Nova Scotia and they are the ancestors of the French-speaking Acadian peole today .
Samuel de Champlain established to first settlement along the St. Lawrence river because of that he is known as the “ Father of New France“. The settlement had a good harbour and it was called Quebec . Most of the settlers died during the first winter. Samuel de Champlain realised that the colony needed more settlers to keep it alive. Unfortunately there were only 65 settlers in Quebec by 1627.
By 1663 the population of New France was still quite small. Louis XIV decided to make New France a royal colony governed by the King. It ensured that more settlers would come to colony and it encouraged farming and industry. By 1700 New France was still not as great colony as Louis XIV wanted . After that France was constantly at war and it didn’t have enough time or Money to spend on a colony.
The Struggle for Power
France and Britain didn’t have good relations . France and Britain were the most important countries in Europe at that time. They fought mostly over colonies and the fur trade. Difference in religion also caused tensions.
In 1756 the Seven Years War broke out between France and Britain. They fought over colonies and areas in that war. By 1758 the British had captured the French fortress of Louisbourg. It was an important position for the British to acquire because it guarded the entrance of the St. Lawrence river. This marked the beginning of the end for French rule in North America. In 1759 a famous battle on the Plains of Abraham just outside of Quebec City was fought. Yhe British were victorious and on the following spring they conquered the last French stronghold Montreal. At the present day more than five million French-speaking peole live in the Quebec province . Even today there are tensions bettween the British people and the French people and it threatens the unity of Canada.
When the British took over they didn’t change much in French traditions . They allowed the French peole to keep their religion, civil law system and language . The British didn’t want any French people to try to break away from Britain.
From 1775 to 1784 many British came to Canada from American colonies. It was so because of the American Revolution. Americans were fighting for their independence from Britain. So the British people fled from America to the north were was Canada.
With so many new settlers Britain had to create two new colonies: New Brunswick nad Upper Canada. There was also an act in 1791 that divided Quebec into Upper and Lower Canada. They were reunited in 1841 . Upper Canada became Canada West and Lower Canada became Canada East . They would eventually become the provinces of Ontario and Quebec in 1867.
Regions in Canada
Canada is divided into five major regions.
The Pacific Region
The Pacific Region consists of only one province - British Columbia . It is known for its mild coastal climate, forests and the Rocky Mountains. The Rocky Mountains are the youngest and the highest mountains in Canada. Largest cities are Vancouver and Victoria. Only 5% of The Pacific Region is inhabitable.
The Prairie Provinces
The Prairie Provinces consists of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba provinces. Population in that region is about 5.7 million people. The precipitation in The Prairie Provinces is very low – only 400 mm per year . The biggest cities are Calgary , Winnipeg and Saskatoon. The Prairie Provinces focus on farming. 95% of the land in that region has been converted into farmland. Mostly wheat and other grains are produced. Cattle and sheep ranching is also part of the agriculture . The Prairie Provinces are known for their rolling plains and extreme climate with long, cold winters and hot, dry summers .The region is also rich in oil and natural gas.
Central Canada
This region consists of Quebec and Ontario. Central Canada is the centre of political and economic power in the country . It is the most heavily populated and industrialized area in Canada and because of that it is also the wealthiest region. The Great Lakes are located in Central Canada which are the biggest bodies of fresf water in the world. Another very important body of water in that region is St. Lawrence River. All the biggest cities were built along this river. It is still very important as a transportation route from the Atlantic Ocean to Canada’s interior. Some areas in Central Canada are covered by the rocky Canadian Shield . The capital of Canada Ottawa is also located in Central Canada.
The Atlantic Provinces
The Atlantic Provinces consists of four provinces. Its population in 2.4 million people and it is located on the easternmost side of Canada. The biggest cities in this region are Halifax, St. Johns and Moncton. Fishing, shipping and farming are the most important activities in this region. This region was the first part of Canada to be founded by the Vikings in AD 985.
The North
The North region includes the Yukon Territory, the Northwest Territories and the Nunavut territory. The North is the biggest region in Canada. The North has the most coldest climate in Canada. Because of that only 85 000 people live in this region. The North is home to Canada’s indigenous people who are called as the Inuits. Ground is permanently frozen in this region throughout the year . The most common animals in The North are caribou and polar bear.
Climate
Average temperatures in Canada ranges from -35*C (Nunavut Territories) to 25*C ( Quebec). The amplitude of temperature in generally high in Canada. Canadian winters are usually harsh and cold.
Because of the differences in climate throughout Canada there are many different ecozones in Canada. There are four different ecozones in Canada.
Northern Arctic is the coldest ecozone in Canada. Very few plants and animals can live there.
Tundra ecozone is located south of the Arctic ecozone. Coniferous trees grow in tundra.
A mix of coniferous and deciduous forests grow in Central Canada and in the Atlantic provinces.
There are also the prairies . 95% of the land has been converted into farmland and it is basically a treeless area.
Uniting Canada
There were several reasons for uniting Canada.

• Strong defence against any American aggression and the Fenians
  
• Trade network involving the cities in Canada
  
• Canadians wanted to build a railway line
  
• The British didn’t have enough money to support Canadian colonies
  

In July 1, 1867 the Dominiom of Canada was created. The Dominiom of Canada consisted of Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick provinces. Yukon was the last province to join the Dominiom. John Macdonald was the first prime minister of Canada.
Another important feature about Canada is its railway. The railway was completed in 1885.
All the goals were achieved when Canada was united into the Dominiom of Canada.