Canada is renowned as one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Visitors come from all corners of the world to admire and explore its vast beauty, from majestic mountain tops and crystal clear lakes, to rolling opens fields and dense, lush forests. Canada’s diverse landscape not only comprises these beautiful natural features, but also a myriad of unique built up areas. Canada is home to small towns and vast cities, each with its own unique local flavour. From the Atlantic to the Pacific, frozen tundras to temperate rain forests, let’s take a look at the staggering variety of landscapes found in Canada.
Mountains
The country is best known for its extensive jagged mountain ranges, which lead many to compare Canada to Switzerland. Amongst Canada’s most famous peaks are Mount Logan, in the Yukon Territory, which reaches a height of 5,959 m and is a popular spot for mountaineers; the towering Mount Robson, located in British Columbia, at an altitude of 3,954 m; and Mont Tremblant in Quebec, which rises to 968 m.These mountain ranges reach across vast landscapes in western Canada, with the Canadian Rockies passing through Alberta and British Columbia, and the Coast Mountains cutting through British Columbia and Yukon Territory. Further east, The Canadian Shield is a rocky stretch of the Arctic which reaches Ontario and Quebec. Canada’s mountains are a paradise for those looking for adventure, with hiking, cycling and ski-ing popular activities throughout the year.
Plains
In the central and southern parts of Canada, vast grasslands and plains cradle the landscape. Home to an abundant variety of wildlife, the sweeping, open spaces of the plains swell beneath the horizon, and provide visitors with an untouched sense of calm. The Prairie Provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta are famed for their rolling hills of yellow grass and fragrant purple flowers, which are best seen in the summer, when they bloom in full colours. Here, visitors can take to the fields and explore the great outdoors, either on foot, or horseback. Rural sights like the windmills, barns and grain silos, complete the postcard-perfect image of the Canadian Plains.
Forests
Canada is blanketed in a massive network of forested areas, amongst which are boreal forest, temperate rain forest and taiga forest. The boreal forest composes a large part of Canada, from Yukon to Newfoundland and even reaching into Alaska. Characterised by coniferous trees, it is a paradise of sparkling lakes, rich soils, and vivid moss. In the western parts, Canada is home to temperate rainforest, climate which generates an abundance of ferns and towering trees, with rivers weaving throughout the terrain. Many of the temperate rain forests have been designated as national parks, so that visitors can explore their beauty without interfering with the natural balance of the environment.
Lakes and Rivers
Canada is aptly named for its extensive prevalence of lakes and rivers. Supported by an abundance of precipitation and glacial meltwater, Canada is blessed with an surroundings of fresh water, gleaming in its many forms. Canada is home to the world’s largest collection of fresh-water lakes, with Lakes Superior, Huron and Michigan each distinguished by their size, shape and depth. Visitors toll impress upon the tranquil wash of these waters as they pass over mountaintops and beneath forested areas, with plenty of whitewater rafting locations available. Canada also houses an impressive network of rivers, which narrow and expand as they make their way through the wilderness, emerging into lake bays, or meeting the sea.
Cities
The many deserts, forests and snow-clad peaks of Canada provide a contrast to the numerous cities that occupy the terrain. Canada’s urban areas are each defined by their own unique dynamism, with major cities like Toronto and Montreal, the chosen destination by many. Canada’s largest cities boast eclectic skylines which merge the natural and man-made, with buildings and parks providing a backdrop of cosmopolitan vibrancy. From the dramatic sights of Vancouver to the hustle and bustle of Ottawa, Canada’s cities provide a unique contrast to the rural bliss that is found in abundance throughout the country.
Conclusion
Canada’s diverse landscape is ripe for exploring, delivering its visitors a kaleidoscope of natural and man-made splendour. From vast mountain ranges and temperate rain forests, to grassy plains and bustling cities, Canada is a feast for the eyes which cannot be matched anywhere else in the world. No matter the season, visitors to Canada can be assured of experiencing some of the most breathtaking vistas found on this planet.