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What are the topography differences between Canada and the United States?

Miley Mattin

Canada and the United States are two countries that share a significant amount of similarities, yet there exist numerous differences in their topography. These differences create varying geographical features and landscapes, which are unique to each country.

Firstly, the most apparent dissimilarity between Canada and the United States is that Canada is the second-largest country in the world, covering almost 10 million square kilometers. In contrast, the United States is the third-largest country, but it is slightly smaller than Canada, covering an area of about 9 million square kilometers. This size difference translates to differences in their topography, particularly in terms of landforms, vegetation cover, and climate.

Canada has a diverse topography, including the Rocky Mountains, the Canadian Shield, the Appalachian Mountains, and several fertile plains. The first notable feature, the Rocky Mountains, stretches over 4,800 kilometers along the western border with the United States. These mountains are known for their high peaks, including Mount Robson and Mount Columbia, which are the highest peaks in Canada, with altitudes of 3,000 meters above sea level.

The Canadian Shield covers nearly half of the country and is known for its heavily forested areas, numerous rocky outcrops, and thousands of freshwater lakes. This vast area has minimal agricultural activities due to the region's uneven topography and harsh climate conditions.

In contrast, the United States has a diverse topography ranging from the Appalachian Mountains, the Gulf Coastal Plains, and the Rocky Mountains. The Appalachians span over 3,000 kilometers from Alabama to Maine and are some of the oldest mountains globally but tormented by natural disasters like landslides and hurricanes. The Atlantic and gulf coast plains are regions of low elevations and feature rich unconsolidated sediments that have led to land subsidence. The Rockies are a range of mountains that runs from Alaska to New Mexico and includes famous peaks like Mount Whitney, which is the highest peak in the United States, with an elevation of 4,421 meters.

Another major topography difference between Canada and the United States is the presence of the frozen tundra in Canada, particularly the northern part of the country. This region occupies almost 40% of the country, featuring permanently frozen subsoil and a sparse vegetation cover, including the tamarack, spruce, and black spruce trees. The frozen tundra in Canada is an important ecological region, home to unique species like the polar bear, caribou, and the arctic fox.

In contrast, the United States does not have a frozen tundra, but it has an extensive desert region, particularly in the Western part of the country. The Mojave, Sonoran, and Chihuahuan deserts are the most notable, featuring unique vegetation like the Joshua Tree, prickly pear, and mesquite trees. These deserts also host diverse animal species such as the desert tortoise, scorpions, and rattlesnakes.

In conclusion, Canada and the United States have varied topographies as a result of their wide-ranging geological and climate differences. The mountains, plains, forests, and deserts highlight diverse natural landscapes that make both countries unique. It is these differences that make visiting both countries as a tourist worthwhile.