New
New
Year 10
AQA

Development opportunities and challenges in Northern Canada

I can explain opportunities and challenges of developing cold environments in Northern Canada.

New
New
Year 10
AQA

Development opportunities and challenges in Northern Canada

I can explain opportunities and challenges of developing cold environments in Northern Canada.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Northern Canada is an example of a cold environment.
  2. There are opportunities for development in Northern Canada (mineral extraction, energy, fishing, tourism).
  3. There are challenges for developing in Northern Canada (extreme temperatures, inaccessibility, provision of buildings).

Keywords

  • Indigenous - the people that originally lived and may continue to live in a particular country or region

  • Mineral extraction - the process of removing valuable minerals from the earth

  • Tourism - the business of attracting and taking care of visitors to a place

  • Permafrost - a thick subsurface layer of soil that remains frozen throughout the year, occurring chiefly in polar regions

Common misconception

Cold environments cannot support any form of development.

While challenging, development is possible in cold environments with proper planning and technology.


To help you plan your year 10 geography lesson on: Development opportunities and challenges in Northern Canada, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Set students the task of developing a fact file on this case study for homework, which they can then use for revision closer to the exam.
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Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
What defines a cold environment?
Areas with very little rainfall
Areas with high temperatures all year
Correct answer: Areas that are cold for most or all of the year
Areas covered by forests
Q2.
Which of the following is an example of a cold environment?
The Sahara desert
The Amazon rainforest
Correct answer: The Arctic tundra
The Mediterranean coast
Q3.
What is permafrost?
Ground that is frozen for a few months each year
Correct answer: Ground that stays frozen all year
Ice that floats on the ocean
A mountain glacier
Q4.
Which human activity threatens cold environments the most?
Reforestation
Eco-tourism
Correct answer: Oil and gas exploration
Organic farming
Q5.
How can plants survive in cold environments?
By growing very tall to reach sunlight
By having large leaves
Correct answer: By growing low to the ground
By using salt water
Q6.
What does 'fragile environment' mean when describing cold regions?
It breaks easily when people walk on it
Correct answer: It is very sensitive and can be easily damaged
It has a lot of earthquakes
It is safe from climate change

4 Questions

Q1.
What does the term "indigenous" refer to?
Tourists visiting a region
Correct answer: The people who originally lived in an area
People who migrate to cold environments
Workers involved in mining
Q2.
What is mineral extraction?
Growing crops in cold climates
Protecting endangered species
Correct answer: Removing valuable minerals from Earth
Stopping mining activities to protect wildlife
Q3.
Which activity could threaten indigenous cultures?
Correct answer: Mass mineral extraction without consultation
Respectful ecotourism
Conservation projects
Educational programmes about indigenous traditions
Q4.
Why is the statement "Cold environments cannot support any form of development" incorrect?
Correct answer: They can support limited, sustainable development
They have no useful resources
They are too dangerous for any human activity
They are all covered by permanent glaciers

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