Culture and Cuicine in Canada
Canadian Culture: The Northern Mosaic
Canada is one of two countries located in North America and is the second largest country in the world. It is situated just north of the United States and constitutes the northern part of the country, excluding Alaska. Over the years Canada 's culture has been influenced by European culture and traditions, mainly that of the French and British. Canadian culture has also been influenced by the countries ' first people, the Aboriginals, as well as the newer immigrated population (Wikipedia, 2007). Canada consists of ten provinces and three northern territories, almost all of which are "rich in land and natural resources" (Bailey, par. 2). Canada is often referred to as a mosaic community because there is such a wide variety of different cultures and ethnic groups that call it home. Three geographical regions of Canada, including the Prairies, the Eastern Maritimes and the Northern Territories will be discussed and the relationship between their geographical locations and the established cultures will be focused on. To begin, the Prairies are often known for their agriculture and large, widespread land. Statistics Canada (1997) confirms that more than half of the farms in Canada can be found in the Prairie Provinces which includes Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba (cited in Wallace, 2002). Agriculture is one of the largest industries in this region (Agriculture Canada, 1989). Beef cattle and sheep are raised in Alberta and Saskatchewan and these provinces also "produce enough dairy products and poultry to meet its domestic needs" (Agriculture Canada, 1989, p.17). Alberta has more beef cattle than all the other nine provinces, as well, it is the "third largest producer of hogs and has a quarter of Canada 's sheep" (p.17). First Nations have the oldest influence on Prairie culture as they have lived in this region for centuries. Fur traders and explorers from Eastern Canada were the first Europeans to come to the Prairies.
Canada is one of two countries located in North America and is the second largest country in the world. It is situated just north of the United States and constitutes the northern part of the country, excluding Alaska. Over the years Canada 's culture has been influenced by European culture and traditions, mainly that of the French and British. Canadian culture has also been influenced by the countries ' first people, the Aboriginals, as well as the newer immigrated population (Wikipedia, 2007). Canada consists of ten provinces and three northern territories, almost all of which are "rich in land and natural resources" (Bailey, par. 2). Canada is often referred to as a mosaic community because there is such a wide variety of different cultures and ethnic groups that call it home. Three geographical regions of Canada, including the Prairies, the Eastern Maritimes and the Northern Territories will be discussed and the relationship between their geographical locations and the established cultures will be focused on. To begin, the Prairies are often known for their agriculture and large, widespread land. Statistics Canada (1997) confirms that more than half of the farms in Canada can be found in the Prairie Provinces which includes Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba (cited in Wallace, 2002). Agriculture is one of the largest industries in this region (Agriculture Canada, 1989). Beef cattle and sheep are raised in Alberta and Saskatchewan and these provinces also "produce enough dairy products and poultry to meet its domestic needs" (Agriculture Canada, 1989, p.17). Alberta has more beef cattle than all the other nine provinces, as well, it is the "third largest producer of hogs and has a quarter of Canada 's sheep" (p.17). First Nations have the oldest influence on Prairie culture as they have lived in this region for centuries. Fur traders and explorers from Eastern Canada were the first Europeans to come to the Prairies.
References: Anderson, F. J. (1985). Natural resources in Canada: economic theory and policy. Toronto: Methuen Agriculture Canada Bailey, Erin. (2006). Canada. Our World: Canada, p1-6, 1p. EBSCOhost [On-line]. Sept. 2007. Paskey, Janice (1999). Hunting for seals and for Inuit culture at Nunavut Arctic College. Chronicle of Higher Education, 46 (13):B4. EBSCOhost [On-line]. Nov. 19. 1999. Sillars, Les. (1996). Guard, I 'll have my blubber raw. Alberta Report, 23(9):23.Dec. 2, 1996 Wallace, Iain Wikipedia. (2007, July 06). Canadian Prairies. [On-line]. Available: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Prairies [2007, September 12]. Wikipedia. (2007, September 11). Culture of Canada. [On-line]. Available: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_Canada [2007, September 12]. Wikipedia. (2007, September 11). Maritimes. [On-line]. Available: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maritimes [2007, September 12]. Wikipedia. (2007, September 11). Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. [On-line]. Available: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellowknife, _Northwest_Territories [2007, September 12].