Discovering Canada Landscape: 11 Captivating Wonders!

Wondering what makes Canada so beautiful? Are you curious about all those beautiful and amazing landscapes present in the country of Canada? Are you not aware of the physical geography of Canada? Please keep reading to know all about it.

Photo by Guillaume Jaillet on Unsplash

Canada is the second-largest country, next to Russia, in this world. Canada has the largest portion of the world’s freshwater lakes.

Canada also possesses the longest coastline on earth. Since the last glacial period ended, Canada has owned eight distinct forest regions.

Why is Canada Landscape a Real Beauty?

These are the basis of what creates Canada such a beautiful landscape.

1. Canada Landscape: Appalachian Mountains

Appalachian Mountains
Photo by Zachary Kyra-Derksen on Unsplash

This mountain range extends from Alabama through the province of the Atlantic and the Gaspé Peninsula. This mountain range creates round hills by river valleys.

Appalachian Mountain Range also runs through the southern part of Quebec. A few famous mountains of Appalachian mountains include Mount Jacques – Cartier, Mount Carleton, and the Catbox.

2. Canada Landscape: Great Lakes and Lowlands of St. Lawrence

peyto lake
Photo by Andrew Ridley on Unsplash

The Great Lakes and Saint Lawrence basin sections are some of the richest sedimentary planes in Canada.

Before the 20th century, the Eastern Great Lakes lowland covered a massive portion of mixed forest area based on plain land, between the Canadian Shield and the Appalachian Mountain.

This area of Canada consists of one of the largest estuaries globally, the estuary of Saint Lawrence. Two notable batholiths situated around the regular line around this area, Montreal’s Mount Royal and Mont Saint-Hilaire, are known for their great richness in precious minerals.

3. Canada Landscape: Canadian Arctic

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

The Arctic comprises the northernmost mountain system on earth. Most of the portion of the Canadian Arctic consists of endless permafrost and tree line of Tundra North.

The Hudson Bay and Arctic lowlands contain a substantial area of Canada’s geography, the Canadian Shield.

The Arctic comprises everything, not in the tree line, which surrounds the top portion of Nunavut and the northernmost parts of Northwest Territories, Yukon, Manitoba, Quebec, Labrador, and Ontario.

4. Canada Landscape: Western Cordillera

western cordillera canada
Tim Gouw punttim, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Western or Canadian Cordillera is bounded by the Rocky Mountains in the east and the Pacific Ocean in the west.

The Canadian Rockies are a very significant division that extends through North America and western South America. The Canadian Rockies is at the head of the Columbia and Fraser Rivers.

5. Canada Landscape: Canadian Interior Plains

alberta prairies
The original uploader was Northwest at English Wikipedia., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Canadian Interior Plain is a large sedimentary plain covering southwestern Manitoba, southern Saskatchewan, and Alberta. It even comprises regions between the Great Slave and the Rocky Mountain and lakes of Great Bear in Northwestern’s territory.

6. Canada Landscape: Canadian Shield

canadian shield
P199, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Canadian shield is a massive rock in which the North-Eastern part of Alberta, the northern portion of Ontario, Manitoba, Quebec, and Saskatchewan, the entire Great Northern Peninsula of Newfoundland, and Labrador, most of Nunavut’s mainland, and the Arctic Archipelago, Baffin land, certain significant bands through Southampton, Devon, Somerset, and Ellesmere Islands.

Canadian shield contains many significant rivers and lakes utilized for hydroelectric production, specifically in Northern Quebec and Ontario.

Canadian shield is known for its emeralds, copper, and diamonds. The Canadian shield is also called the mineral house.

Best Canadian Landscapes

Above, there are six physical geographic factors based on which Canada is settled. Now let’s read about some amazing Canadian landscapes and what makes them amazing.

1. Canada Landscape: Banff

Banff National Park
Photo by Chi Liu on Unsplash

Banff is situated in Banff National Park, which is in Alberta, Canada. Banff has the second-highest elevation in Alberta, next to Lake Louise. It is a resort town and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Canada.

Banff is surrounded by mountains, especially Mount Riddle, Mount Norquay, Cascade Mountain, and Sulphur Mountain. It is situated above Bow Falls.

In nature, this area’s soil is calcareous (which means it is partially or entirely composed of calcium carbonate). They are poorly drained with textures like sandy loam and silty clay loam.

Apart from the mountains, there is Lake Minnewanka, about six minutes north of the town. It is a popular area for various activities like mountain biking, hiking, and fishing. Tunnel Mountain (formerly known as Sleeping Buffalo Mountain) is another attraction situated within the town. It is popular for a quick hike since it takes half an hour to reach the summit.

Banff is the home of the renowned Banff World Television Festival, Rocky Mountain Festival, Banff Mountain Film Festival, and Bike Fest.

2. Canada Landscape: St. John’s

st john's
Photo by Laura Lefurgey-Smith on Unsplash

St. John’s is the largest city and the capital of the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It is named after John the Baptist. It is one of North America’s oldest cities.

This city has a rich history as the citizens took part in the American Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the French and Indian War.

Italian inventor Sir Guglielmo Marconi got the transatlantic wireless signal, first in St. John’s.

St. John’s is situated nearby the vast coast of the Atlantic Ocean, with the Avalon Peninsula on the northeast, and Newfoundland in the southeast.

Quidi Vidi – A few attractions are a beautiful quaint village, oceanview, flower gardens, Quidi Vidi Brewery, Mallard Cottage, and hiking trails.

Jellybean Row House has some picturesque houses and all the history presented for you. You are not allowed to invade but are certainly allowed to sink in the beauty.

East Coast Trail is North America’s easternmost coastline. You can experience lighthouses, seabird colonies, icebergs, and whales.

Cape Spear is the oldest living lighthouse. It has a unique architecture. It is situated 12 kilometers from the southeast of St. John’s at Route II.

3. Canada Landscape: Hotel de Glace

The Ice Hotel (French translation: Hotel de Glace) is situated near Quebec City. It is the first and only authentic ice hotel in entire North America.

This hotel is situated on the first slopes of the beautiful Laurentian mountains in the Charles Bourg borough; the hotel is about 5 kilometers north of Quebec City.

ICE HOTEL: Hôtel de Glace - Quebec City, Canada

It takes 50 workers and a month and a half to build this ice hotel. It comprises 500 tons of ice and 30,000 tons of snow; the walls are three feet thick. In 2001, it had only 11 double beds, but now it has 51 double beds.

The bathrooms are situated in separate structures since it is heated. This hotel is open during January, February, and March.

You can explore the beautiful Grand Hall, ice slides, chapel, rooms, and suites. You can finish exploring this exceedingly beautiful hotel at the ice bar with a glass of cocktail, served in glass-created ice.

4. Canada Landscape: Mount Asgard

mount asgard
Ansgar Walk, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

Mount Asgard is situated in Auyuittuq National Park, on the peninsula of Cumberland, Baffin Island, Nunavut, Canada.

It is named after the realm of gods in the mythology of the Norse. It is a twin-peaked and flat-topped mountain and is merged by a saddle in the middle, which separates their flat tops.

Mount Asgard is perhaps the most known among the Baffin Mountains.

It is tough for climbers to reach the top of the mountain. The location looks even more beautiful because of the snow-covered peak.

The famous James Bond movie ‘The Spy Who Loved Me’ was shot there, and to reach the peak, the crew had to take the help of a helicopter.

5. Canada Landscape: Moraine Lake, Banff National Park

morraine lake
Photo by Nick T on Unsplash

Moraine Lake is located in the Ten Peaks village, at an elevation of about 6,181 feet. It is a glacially-fed lake located in the beautiful Banff National Park, about 14 kilometers outside Lake Louise, Alberta.

When the lake is full, it reflects an exceedingly beautiful shade of azure blue. It is the refraction of the light of the rock floor created by the surrounding glaciers.

This lake is surrounded by majestic mountains, making this place a lot more than beautiful.

The perfect duration to visit Moraine Lake is from late June to August because, during this time, the weather remains warm, and you will be able to see the beautiful color of the lake.

Lake Louise is about a 15-minute drive apart so you can visit both lakes in a single day.

6. Canada Landscape: Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls
Photo by Sergey Pesterev on Unsplash

Niagara Falls is the border between New York, the United States, and Ontario (check out its best national park here), It is a group of three waterfalls.

The largest one is Horseshoe Falls, also called Canadian Falls, American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls lies within the province of the United States.

Most visitors come during the summer because, during that time, Niagara Falls becomes both a daytime and evening attraction.

Top 5 Attractions of Niagara Falls:

1. Maid of the Mist

Maid of the Mist
Photo by Shlomo Shalev on Unsplash

Just hop on a Maid of the Mist to explore the beauty of the falls.

2. Niagara Parks Botanical Garden and Butterfly Conservatory

Photo by Leonora (Ellie) Enking/ Flickr, Copyright 2021

If you love nature, this Botanical Garden is a must-visit for you.

3. Old Fort Niagara

fort niagara
By Ad Meskens – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

If you love history and are into books, visit this fort; it will not disappoint you.

4. Journey Behind the Falls

Vassgergely at the English-language Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

This is probably the most exotic view because you will get to view this beautiful waterfall from behind.

5. Skylon Tower

Skylon Tower
Photo by Aditya Chinchure on Unsplash

Since you have seen the falls from behind and below, now we can view them from above.

Niagara Falls View Casino Resort and Casino Niagara are two casinos on the Canadian side of the falls.

7. Canada Landscape: Waterton Lake

Waterton Lake
Photo by Jim Witkowski on Unsplash

It is a mountain lake in the North and south of Montana, the United States, and Alberta, Canada. This lake is a composition of two water bodies, merged by a shallow channel locally called Bosporus.

The lake’s northern and lower end is in Waterton Lakes National Park, and the southern and upper part of the lake is in Glacier National Park.

The Waterton biosphere reserve was established in 1979 by UNESCO to protect various habitats, including freshwater Fens, Alpine Tundra, Aspen Parkland, grasslands, and sub-Alpine forest that surround the entire lake.

Tributaries to the Waterton River comprise Foothill Creek, Drywood Creek, Yarrow Creek, Dungarvan Creek, Crooked Creek, Cottonwood Creek, and Galwey Brook.

8. Canada Landscape: Petit – Champlain, Quebec City

Quartier du Petit Champlain is a commercial zone situated in Quebec City, Quebec. It is situated in the neighborhood of Vieux – Quebec – Cap – Blanc – Colline Parlementaire near Notre – Dame – Des – Victories Church. It claims to be the oldest commercial district in North America.

Main Attractions:

  • Rue du Petit Champlain mural, painted on the side of 102 rue du Petit – Champlain, a Trompe – l’oiel (an art technique for creating an optical illusion with realistic imagery).
  • Breakneck Stairs or Breakneck Steps is the oldest stairway in Quebec City, established in 1635. They were originally called Champlain Stairs, Beggar’s Stairs, and Lower Town Stairs.

9. Canada Landscape: Haffner Creek

Ice Climbing in Canada: Haffner Creek + Guinness Gully (2017/03)

Haffner Creek is near Lake Louise, Alberta. It is an out-and-back trail of about 17.9 kilometers. It is in a deep canyon, about 40 minutes in the southwest direction of Canmore.

The national parks offer you amazing rock cliffs and icefalls that you can climb and explore.

In Bow Valley, Haffner Creek is one of the most popular ice-climbing crates. Even when the sun is up, the icebox effect keeps Haffner Creek in good shape.

This place is very beneficial for beginners who want to practice steeper ice climbing and learn steep ice techniques.

10. Canada Landscape: Jasper National Park of Canada

Jasper National Park is the largest national park within the Rocky Mountains of Alberta. It is in the northern direction of Banff national park and the western direction of Edmonton. This National Park has springs, lakes, waterfalls, mountains, and a Columbia icefield.

A few scenic attractions of Jasper National Park are Mount Edith Cavell, Pyramid Lake with mountains, Medicine Lake, Maligne Lake, and the Tarquin Valley.

Other attractions of the National Park include the Snocoach tours of Athabasca glacier, Marmot Basin ski ground, Athabasca Falls, outlet Glacier of Columbia icefield, Jasper Skytram, and various other activities to enjoy such as hiking, fishing, camping, rafting, and wildlife viewing.

The creatures found in this park are the elk, moose, porcupine, lynx, marten, pika, grizzly bear, coyote, bighorn sheep, black bear, and cougar.

11. Canada Landscape: Peyto Lake

Photo by Brandon Jean on Unsplash

Peyto Lake is a glacier-fed water body situated in Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies. Peyto Lake is located near the Icefields Parkway. This lake is named after a trail guide and trapper, Bill Peyto, formed between two peaks, Caldron Peak, Peyto Peak, and Mount Jimmy Simpson, in Waputnik Range.

In the summer, a good amount of glacial rock floor flow under the lake from the nearby glacier, and these rocks particles give the lake a rare turquoise color.

Peyto lake is best seen from the Bow Summit, the highest point on the icefields parkway. Peyto lake gets everything from Peyto Creek, which provides water from Caldron Lake and Peyto Glacier. (which is a part of Wapta icefield).

Final Words

These are some physical geographic factors and landscapes of Canada, making Canada an exceedingly beautiful landscape.

Have you ever been to Canada? Have you explored any of these beautiful landscapes? Have you ever visited architectural places and amusement parks?

Do you want to share the names of places in Canada that you have explored? Have you never been to Canada? Do you have any favorite places in Canada? Let us know in the comment section below!

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Last Updated on by Priyanshi Sharma

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