Geology

Unlike the Great Plains, which are primarily flat, or the Canadian Shield, which boasts primarily metamorphic and igneous rock, the Canadian Cordillera has a variety of different geological features and landforms.  Traveling across British Columbia, which is situated within the Canadian Cordillera, one can expect to encounter rugged mountain ranges and immense plateaus, the trademarks of the Canadian Cordillera (Cranny, Michael et al. 100-101).  One can also expect to find vast trenches, plains, lakes, glaciers, and valleys, within this region of Canada.   Finally, due to tectonic movements that, in the past, caused the earth’s crust to buckle, many of the mountains in the Canadian Cordillera are folded mountains  (Cranny, Michael et al. 101). 

Rocky Mountains

The Rocky Mountains, are a well known mountain range in British Columbia, and are most commonly associated with the Canadian Cordillera.  They are the largest mountain range in North America, extending from the Liard River Basin in north-eastern British Columbia, through British Columbia, and deep into New Mexico in the United States (Robinson, J. Lewis).  Known for their spectacular scenery, the Rocky Mountains are a myriad of extremely jagged peaks and glaciers.

Okanagan Valley

The Okanagan Valley, as its name implies, is a valley that runs through southern British Columbia from Grindrod in the north to Osoyoos in the south.  It is marked by numerous lakes and rivers that are backed by mountains, the most recognizable lake being Okanagan Lake.  The Okanagan Valley is often described as being ‘fertile’ and is known for its sunny and dry climate.   As a result of this climate, it is ideal for fruit growing and wine production.

Two more recognizable landforms found in the Canadian Cordillera are Kokanee Glacier and the Lower Mainland.  Kokanee Glacier, situated just north of Nelson in Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park, feeds thirty lakes and rivers and is approximately 1800 meters in elevation ("Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park").  The Lower Mainland forms the ‘coastal plains’ of the Canadian Cordillera, and stretches west from Abbotsford to Vancouver and north from White Rock to West Vancouver ("Vancouver and Lower Mainland Map").   The Lower Mainland is a plain sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean and the Coastal Mountains, making it ideal for farming.  Furthermore, it is the most heavily populated region of the Canadian Cordillera.     

These four examples illustrate some of the geological features of the Canadian Cordillera.  The Rocky Mountains are the region’s trademark mountains, and the Okanagan Valley exemplifies one of the many valleys found between mountain ranges. Furthermore, the Kokanee Glacier is just one of numerous glaciers found in the Canadian Cordillera, and the Lower Mainland is yet another area that is geologically unique from the rest of this region.  Overall, the Canadian Cordillera contains a great variety of geological features and landforms making this region truly unique.

Works Cited:

Cranny, Michael et al. Horizons Canada Moves West. Scarborough: Prentice Hall Ginn, 1999. Print

Robinson, J. Lewis. "British Columbia." The Canadian Encyclopedia.  Historica-Dominion. 2011. Web. 28 Feb. 2011. <http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0000995>

"Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park." BC Parks. Ministry of Environment. Web. 1 Mar. 2011. <http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/kokanee_gl/>
"Vancouver and Lower Mainland Map." BC Adventure. Interactive Broadcasting Corporation. 2011. Web. 2 Mar. 2011. <http://www.bcadventure.com/adventure/explore/vancouver/fraser_valley.html>

Images Cited:
Rocky Mountains. "Canada Tourism in Banff National Park." World Tourism Place. World Tourism, 19 Jan. 2011. Web. 6 Mar. 2011. <http://www.worldtourismplace.com/canada-tourism-in-banff-national-park/>
Okanagan Valley Picture taken by Denver Hutchinson