Introduction
Canada's population
Population Distribution and Population Density
Driving Question: Why do people live where they do?
Word of the Day:
Population distribution- the pattern of where people settle. Think about each key word
Population= number of people; Distribution (distribute)= how it's spread out.
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Task
Think about it...
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? Think about the climate, landscape, and resources you would need to survive. Here are some images to get you started on your thinking; these pictures are all of places where people live.
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Process
Let's think back to a simpler time, before the internet, before cars, before indoor plumbing even; how would you live in Georgia? What are your basic needs? What is necessary for you to survive? Check out this PowerPoint, and carefully examine Canada's map. Keep in mind the questions I just asked. Remember, today's large cities were once small villages and towns with a few settlers. Why did those settlers choose to settle in a particular area?
People settle in areas where their needs can be met. This means, that the area they are living in can provide them with water, food, shelter, and livable conditions. If you remember from our previous lessons about Canada's geography you may recall that the northern part of the country has a very harsh climate. The farther north you travel from the US border, the colder the climate. A lot of this land is permafrost, which is permanently frozen ground. Although this area provides Canada with many natural resources, it is a very hard place to live in year round.
You've also already learned about the St. Lawrence River and the seaway that connects it to the Great Lakes. When the first settlers arrived in North America, and traveled up the river inland, they established trading posts which eventually became towns, and today are some of Canada's largest cities. These early settlers chose this area because of the many resources available. There was freshwater to drink and use to transport goods, the climate was warm enough that some food would grow in the summer, and there were enough trees to build homes. Remember, a person must have food, water, and shelter to survive. Once those needs are met, then people can worry about the things they want.
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Evaluation
Map Skills Review
Using this map, answer the following questions on your own. This will come in handy in the evaluation part of this lesson.
-What parts of the world have the highest population density? Which have the lowest?
-Do people tend to live near water, or far from it? Why do you think this is?
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Evaluate
What did you learn?
Describe in a paragraph your "perfect" place to live. Make sure to explain why you chose this particular place. Be sure to explain what the landscape is like, what your water supply is, and what you have for food and shelter.
Submit your paragraph to the population distribution drop box.