Every mile in Canada feels like a journey through a painting
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Canada is home to some of the world's most impressive geographical phenomena, admired for their biodiversity, geological importance and physical presence. As there is no official 7 wonders of Canada, we've put together our very own, which is a culmination of a public vote conducted by CBC and those of which we believe can't go unmentioned!
Which do you think takes the top spot? 🥇
1. The Rocky Mountains
The Rocky Mountains (known as the Rockies) lengthen from northern Alberta in Canada to southern New Mexico in the United States. They were formed more than 100 million years ago when the North American continent was dragged westward during the closure of an ocean basin and the collision with a microcontinent. But why are the Rockies considered one of Canada's natural wonders?
Geological Importance and Biodiversity
The Rocky Mountains are known for their extraordinary biodiversity, and the UNESCO declared them a World Heritage Site because of their geological relevance. Rockies are also known for their five National Parks and for being the source of many large rivers, like the Fraser, the Columbia, the North Saskatchewan, the Bow River, & the Athabasca River.
Located across Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and parts of Colorado, these include Banff Park, Jasper Park, Yoho Park, Kootenay Park and Waterton Lakes
The Rocky's Indigenous Communities
Important Indigenous communities have inhabited the Rocky Mountains for centuries, and the most relevant are: The Sekani, the Dunne-za, the Sioux, and the Blackfoot. These communities consider the Rocky Mountains a central cultural identity and philosophy element. These communities acquired a extensive knowledge of the plants, animals, and ecosystems of the region, passing it down from generation to generation.
2. Niagara Falls
It is one of the world's most impressive natural wonders. They are located on the border between the United States and Canada. Along its 56 kilometers, the Niagara River is characterized by magnificent waterfalls and rapids. Although this is not the highest waterfall in the world, it is normally listed among the world's wonders due to its size.
The Niagara Falls' Origins
18,000 years ago, the Niagara region was covered in thick ice that would one day be the origin of the Great Lakes: Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario. 12,000 years ago, and after this thick ice melted, the water from these Great Lakes filled the Atlantic Ocean and formed the Niagara Gorge and, ultimately, our beautiful Niagara Falls.
It is very relevant to mention that they comprises three waterfalls: Horseshoe, American, and Bridal Veil.
How Electricity is Produced
Every minute, 168,000 m³ of water passes over the edge. Of course, this massive amount of water and force had to be used to create electricity. Electricity is produced by the movement of falling water and its force. Water movement is later converted into electricity through generators distributed to the grid, providing a very important energy source to Canada and the United States.
Actually, the first hydroelectric power station was built in 1893, and today, between 50% and 75% of the Niagara River waterfall supplies energy to Canada and the United States.
Niagara Falls & their conservation
In 1885, New York established the Niagara Reservation, the USA's first state park, designed to save the American side of the falls. The Niagara Parks Commission was founded to preserve the falls on the Canada side.
In the 1950s the United States and Canada signed the Niagara River Treaty to protect the flow and integrity of the Niagara and its surroundings. By maintaining the river's health, the authorities not only preserve the biodiversity of the falls but also support the livelihoods of local communities that depend on the river's resources.
And of course, when discussing preservation, we also speak about flora and fauna. Its diverse variety of wildlife characterizes Niagara Falls. The Niagara River provides an essential habitat for numerous animal and vegetation species. Even some rock layers contain many marine fossils, such as brachiopods, trilobites, corals, & crinoids.
The Indigenous cultures that considered the Niagara Falls a sacred place were the Neutral Nation, which inhabited the Great Lakes before the arrival of the European colonizers.
Certain other Iroquoian nations, such as the Seneca and the Onondaga, also gave the falls a spiritual and mystical significance.
3. Aurora Borealis
We can testify to the impressive Aurora Borealis thanks to Canada's physical geography. Also called the Northern Lights, the Aurora Borealis, have fascinated viewers for centuries. They are created when solar particles hit the atoms in the Earth's atmosphere and transfer energy, releasing it through light. Impressively, they usually form a band of light between 500 and 1000 km wide!
But, where exactly can you watch the auroras? The Yukon, Whitehorse, is a top destination for seeing auroras, and the Jasper National Park in Alberta and Iqaluit in Nunavut.
The Northern Lights Explained
The Canadian Aurora Borealis is produced by electrically charged particles traveling from the sun and colliding with the upper atmosphere gases. The color of the colliding atoms depends on the composition of the particles. Green and yellowish auroras are typical when solar particles collide with oxygen atoms. And bluish, purple, or even reddish auroras occur when the solar particles collide with nitrogen atoms.
However, the density of the atmospheric gases, the solar wind, and the height are some parameters that can affect the Northern Lights' intensity, color, and form.
Iceland, Tromsø, Canada, Fairbanks, Greenland, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Abisko in Swedish lapland, Reykjavík, Lapland, Rovaniemi, Scotland, Alaska, Svalbard, Ilulissat, Kiruna, Tasmania and Russia.
History & Cultural Significance
The auroras have a meaningful role in many indigenous cultures thousands and thousands of years ago. Among some Inuit and Inupiat groups, it was believed that the Northern Lights symbolized dancing spirits or even that these neon lights represented the spirits of their ancestors. The auroras have a deep spiritual and cultural meaning is widely acknowledged throughout history.
The auroras have a meaningful role in many indigenous cultures thousands and thousands of years ago. Among some Inuit and Inupiat groups, it was believed that the Northern Lights symbolized dancing spirits or even that these neon lights represented the spirits of their ancestors. The auroras have a deep spiritual and cultural meaning is widely acknowledged throughout history.
4. Iceberg Alley
Iceberg Alley extends along Canada's east coast and the United States' northeast and is characterized by its blocks of ice carried by the Labrador Current. These enormous icebergs are approximately 10,000 years old. Did you know that between 400 and 800 medium and large icebergs are estimated to flow along the Iceberg Alley yearly?
An iceberg is a large mass of ice that has broken off from a glacier or ice shelf and is floating in the ocean. Even if they appear impressive on the surface, most of their mass, about 90%, is submerged under the water. Icebergs have various colors, shapes, and sizes. And, interestingly, their speed will depend on multiple factors, such as their shape, size, winds, and currents.
Biodiversity of the Iceberg Alley
The waters of Iceberg Alley are rich ecosystems where a great variety of marine species can be found. In addition, the rocky cliffs of these ice formations are home to seabirds such as Atlantic puffins and bald eagles from North America, and Minke, sperm, and humpback whales inhabit the area. The presence of this plankton also makes the waters of Iceberg Alley privileged feeding grounds for an entire ecosystem of aquatic animals.
Global warming and its consequences
Scientists are still unsure of the future of these impressive ice formations due to climate change. Global warming has raised temperatures in the polar regions, accelerating glacier melt. Although the movement of ice blocks detaching from the continent due to the effects of climate change has been monitored in recent decades, the consequences this could cause are still being studied.
Scientists are still unsure of the future of these impressive ice formations. Global warming has raised temperatures in the polar regions, accelerating glacier melt. Although the movement of ice blocks detaching from the continent due to the effects of climate change has been monitored in recent decades, the consequences this could cause are still to be seen.
5. Sleeping Giant
Located in Thunder Bay, Ontario, 'The Sleeping Giant' is nothing short of a natural wonder, it is one Canada's most dramatic geological formations. Being so grand to the point of almost mountainous, it begins to resembles a giant lying on its back with its head to the west and its feet to the east, hence the name! The Sleeping Giant is a part of the Sibley Peninsula and resides in Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, bordering Lake Superior.
Formed of of basalt rock and standing strong as a testament to the power of nature - it has become a symbol of the region and is deeply rooted in Indigenous mythology, with stories that add to its mystique. Today, the Sleeping Giant draws visitors from around the globe, providing hiking trails, wildlife sightings, and breathtaking views, cementing its status as a true gem of Canada's natural beauty.
6. Bay of Fundy
The Bay of Fundy (between the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia) can't go unmentioned if we're talking about Canada's most stunning natural wonders. Known for having the highest tides in the world, the bay experiences unheard of fluctuations in water level, with tides rising and falling by up to as much as 52 feet at certain points. These fluctuations can mostly be attributed to the unique shape of the bay and, of course, its positioning relative to the Earth's gravitational pull. The Bay of Fundy is not known solely for its tidal extremities, but as well for its diverse marine life.
Promenant features of the bay include coastal landscapes, including lush green cliffs, sea caves, and fossil-dense shores. As you can imagine, in the land of national parks, Fundy National Park encapsulates this bay - making it a fun destination for travelers, nature fanatics and photographers and scientists alike. The Bay of Fundy is a perfect example of Canada's natural splendor.
7. Prairie Skies
Canada’s Prairie provinces (Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba) boast natural beauty in many forms, the flat and seemingly endless nature of these plains creates an uninterrupted panoramic view that continues to captivate visitors and residents alike!
Whether during the day, when the wide expanse is filled with brilliant sunshine and vibrant blue skies, or at night, when the prairie becomes a stargazer’s paradise with countless stars and the Milky Way clearly visible, the Prairie Skies are a breathtaking natural phenomenon.
Learn Everything about Geography!
Geography is a science that studies the physical characteristics of the planet, its population, culture, urban development, and interactions with the natural world. Studying our entire planet and its environment and the most important information about Canada's most beautiful places will broaden your knowledge.
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