Pacific+Maritime

=__Pacific Maritime__= = =

Map of Ecozone Introduction Landform Region Rocks and Minerals Vegetation and Soil Climate and Climograph Fun Facts Trivia Sources
 * Table of Contents**

The Pacific Maritime is a breathtaking region Canada.The Pacific Maritime ecozone lies along British Columbia's coast and its border with Alaska. There are many advantages to this region including its beautiful nature, the Rockies and of course none other than Vancouver where we just recently hosted the olympics.
 * __Introduction__**

The Pacific Maritime is apart of the landform region of Western Cordillera. The Cordillera is lightly populated and there are few roads off the coast of British Columbia. The North American and Pacific plates are resposible for the uplifting region into several mounatin ranges. The great height and rugged appearance of these ranges tell us they are geologically young, about 200-250 million years old! The Pacific plate which ws the heavier plate was subducted under the North American plate, causing folding, fauting and volcanoes. The mountains run in a north- south direction, and a narrow strip of land exsits between Pacific and Western Cordillera because it must travel in an east-west direction therfore causing transportaton to be a conflict and is the result of very few roads.
 * __Landform__**




 * __Rocks and Minerals__**

The Pacific Maritime contains three types of rocks. Metallic minerals (igneous), non-metallic (medamorphic and sedimetnary), and energy minerals (petroleum, coal, natural gas). The main energy supply is natural gas and there are varied and rich minerals. Substances mined in this area include, copper coal, zinc, molybdenum, silver and lead. These substances are produced and exported.


 * __Climate__**

On top of its gorgeous, natural landscape, the Pacific Maritime has great weather conditions. It consists of mild winters and cool summers. The winter is usually about 5 degrees celcious anually, and in the summers about 15 degrees. The winter brings heavy snow on high mountain regions and the costal region usually recieves about 200 cm of rain. On the maritime coast, its observed that as air cools, it releases water in the form of precipitation in the form of rain and fog. In the mountainous regions, the warm moist air is pushed up the side of the mountain by prevailling winds, it cools and precipitation falls. This cool air with its moisture gone, drops done the sheltered side of the mountain. Warm water from the pacific known as North Pacific Current, runs up the West Coast of Canada and warms the air above it. This causes the warmer, though wetter Pacific climate.

Average Annual Temperature (oC) = 9.8 Annual Temperature Range (oC) =1-20 Total Annual Precipitation (mm) =1048


 * __Vegatation and Soil__**

The natural vegetation is the West Coast Forest. The growing season is about 200 to 260 days (April to mid October). The soil contains much humus and is rich in minerals due ot the high rainfall that leaches minerals and nutrients deep into the soil. The natural vegetation contains Douglas Fir, Sitka,spruce, red cedar and western hemlock, just to name a few. There are also many spieces of plants, and plants in the ecozone are as varied as the landform they grow on. There is forestry in this ecozone and the main areas of farming include fruit and flourishing wine industry.


 * __Fun Facts!__**

The Pacific Maritime Ecozone is a very populated. In fact, over 2.5 million people live there. That is about two thirds of all British-Columbians living in one ecozone! Forestry is the primary industry in this area. This includes logging and pulp and paper industries. People here are very dependent on this industry as over 337 communities rely on the jobs it provides. The secondary industry in the Pacific Maritime is fishing. Coastal communities are very big on fishing as they are supplied with plentiful resources from the Pacific Ocean. The Pacific Maritime can offer more fishing miles than any other place in the world. Another industry of the Pacific Maritime ecozone is farming and agriculture. This ecozone is blessed with rich soil that is great for crops. Farming is mainly important in the south where they grow various types of fruit trees. The Pacific Maritime Ecozone has a rare majestic beauty and people from all over the world are drawn to it. There are natural things such as whale watching and wilderness tours. There are also more developed tourism areas such as the several resorts on beaches or on ski hills, there are even helicopter rides available! Whether you’re working for a living, or enjoying the beauty of the oceans or mountains, there are so many great opportunities taking place in this ecozone.  


 * __Trivia__**

1)What are the main areas of farming? Fruit and Wine industry

2)What is the average temperature in winter ? 5 degrees celsius

3)What are the 3 types of rock the ecozone contains? Metallic Minerals, Non-metallic and Energy Minerals

4) How do geoligists know mounatins are young? Great height and rugged appearance

5)The Pacific Maritime offers more fishing miles than anywhere in the world. True or False? True

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 * __Sources__**