WBBSE Class 8 Geography Chapter 9 North America Topic B Great Lakes Region And Canadian Shield Region Short Answer Questions

Chapter 9 Topic B Great Lakes Region And Canadian Shield Region Short Answer Questions

Question 1. Give an account of the Great Lakes Region of North America. How did these lakes come into existence?
Answer:

Great Lakes System of North America:

In the north-eastern part of North America, near the Canada-USA border, there are five huge lakes-

  1. Superior,
  2. Michigan,
  3. Huron,
  4. Erie and
  5. Ontario.

Apart from these, there are numerous smaller lakes as well, such as Lake St. Clare. Among these, only Lake Michigan is completely within the territory of USA. The Canada-USA border passes through all the other four Great Lakes.

The Great Lakes region of the USA refers to the area off the southern shores of these four lakes. The Great Lakes region occupies a major part of eight states and is the most densely populated area in the country.

These states are Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York.

WBBSE Class 8 Great Lakes Short Answer Questions

The accepted theory of the origin of the Great Lakes:

Centring Hudson Bay, the most ancient landmass and eroded plateau of the world, the Canadian Sheild is situated. In the ice age, this region was fully covered by ice.

These snow-covered regions extended from Hudson Bay to far to the south (at present the five lakes). Due to prolonged glacial erosion, some areas of these vast snow-covered regions have been transformed into basins.

Eventually, this region has transformed into lakes.

Question 2. Discuss the climate of the Great Lakes region.
Answer:

Climate Of The Great Lakes Region:-

The climatic features of the Great Lakes region are as follows-

  1. Generally, the Great Lakes region experiences a cool temperate type of climate with a greater influence of the winter season.
  2. The average temperature of this region is 16°C. In winter temperature lies below freezing point.
  3. In winter the entire Great Lakes region remains under snow cover.
  4. This region experiences an average annual rainfall of about 70 to cm-80 cm, mostly in summer.
  5. The range of temperature between summer and winter is quite high.

Question 3. Discuss the contribution of the St. Lawrence River to the economic development and prosperity of the Great Lakes region.
Answer:

Contribution Of The St. Lawrence River To The Economic Development And Prosperity Of The Great Lakes Region:-

The main river of the Great Lakes region is St. Lawrence. The contribution of this river to the economic development and prosperity of this region is great. This can be discussed as follows-

1. Facilitating trade:

Through the Lawrence Waterway, goods are transported to the Great Lakes region and minerals and industrial goods can also be sent to any place of the world. So, this waterway facilitates trade with Europe as well as other parts of the world.

2. Easy availability of water and hydroelectricity:

The St. Lawrence river is a valuable source of water and Niagara Falls is a valuable source of hydroelectricity of this region.

3. Helps in irrigation throughout the year:

Water of the St. Lawrence river great five lakes are used for irrigation throughout the year.

Question 4. What is the role of mineral resources in the economic prosperity of the Great Lakes region?
Answer:

Role Of Mineral Resources In The Economic Prosperity Of The Great Lakes Region:-

Mineral resources of the Great Lakes region play an important role in the economic prosperity of this region. This can be discussed as follows-

1. Largest reserve of iron ore:

A large percentage of iron is extracted from the Great Lakes region. Vermilion, Mesabi, Menominee, etc. are the major iron ore of this region. Availability of iron helps in the remarkable development of the iron and steel industry in this region.

2. Proximity of coal mines:

Illinois and Indiana are famous for coal mining. As the northern Appalachian coalfields are in close proximity to the Great Lakes region, power resources are easily available, which facilitates the growth of several industries.

Class 8 Geography Chapter 9 Canadian Shield Questions

3. Extraction of various other minerals:

Copper, mineral oil, rock salt, limestone, gypsum, manganese,, etc., are also found here which help in industrialization. Especially large amounts of mineral salt are used in meat processing and chemical industries, while some amounts are used to melt the snow on the roads by civic authorities.

4. Availability of mineral oil:

Mineral oil is available in Michigan, Ohio and the Ontario Lake region which helps to develop oil refineries and petrochemical industries in Chicago, Buffalo and Cleveland.

Question 5. Why is the Great Lakes region the most industrially developed region in the USA?
Answer:

Great Lakes Region The Most Industrially Developed Region In The USA:-

In the north-eastern part of North America near the Canada-US border, there are five massive lakes-

  1. Superior,
  2. Michigan,
  3. Huron,
  4. Erie and
  5. Ontario.

Apart from these, there are numerous smaller lakes as well, such as Lake St. Clare. This region is known as the Great Lakes region. It is the most industrially developed region in the USA.

Locally available coal, iron ore, developed transport system, electricity generation, water from the five lakes, etc., have facilitated the growth of industries such as iron and steel, engineering, chemical, paper, meat processing, milk products, oil refining, petrochemical, etc.

About one-fourth of the USA’s industrial output comes from this region. Thus, the Great Lakes region is known as the most developed industrial area in the USA.

Question 6. Write about the animal products of the Great Lakes region.
Answer:

Animal Products Of The Great Lakes Region:-

Extensive grasslands in the Great Lakes region means that this region grows huge amounts of animal fodder. A great demand for milk, dairy products and meat in all the cities of this region has accelerated the rearing of livestock including cattle and pigs.

Poultry farming of chickens and ducks for their eggs and flesh is also common. Based on these factors, the meat packaging, dairy and poultry industries etc. have developed in this region.

High yields of prime quality animal and dairy products has led to Wisconsin becoming the world’s ‘dairy capital. Chicago is known as the ‘slaughterhouse of the world’ because of the high volume of meat and meat products it yields. So, we can say that the Great Lakes region is highly developed in the production of animal products.

Question 7. Write a short note on Chicago.
Answer:

Chicago:-

The city of Chicago, the largest city in the Great Lakes region, is on the southwest bank of Lake Michigan and in the state of Illinois. Chicago is also known as the ‘Windy City.

The Greater Chicago area is home to about 27 lakh people according to 2018 figures. Iron and steel, engineering, chemicals, leather and textiles are some of the industries that have developed in this region.

It has the world’s largest meat production and packing district, for this Chicago is called the ‘slaughterhouse of the world. Chicago is also a very important railway junction and O’Hare Airport is the world’s third busiest airport.

Short Answer Questions on Great Lakes Region

Question 8. Write down the major causes of the development of the paper industry in Canada.
Answer:

Major Causes Of The Development Of The Paper Industry In Canada:-

Canada holds a remarkable position in wood and paper production. About 25 per cent of the world’s paper and pulp is produced in Canada.

Several favourable geographical factors have led to this industry is highly developed in Canada.

These are as follows-

1. Abundance of raw materials:

The central part of Canada has vast coniferous forests. In terms of both nature and size, this is the world’s second-largest forest (the largest is the Taiga in Russia).

2. Ease of transportation:

In winter, when everything is blanketed under snow, the trees are cut down and the logs are piled on the frozen rivers. When the snow melts with the advent of summer, the logs float downstream and are collected by sawmills located on the shores of the rivers.

WBBSE Class 8 Geography North America Answers

3. Easily available hydro-electricity:

Fast-flowing rivers of the Canadian Shield region help to generate hydroelectricity. Canada’s hydel power plants provide electricity to various factories and mills.

4. Other causes:

Modern machinery, supply of efficient labour and support of sufficient capital are also the reasons for the development of the paper industry in Canada.

Question 9. Discuss the transport system of the Canadian Shield region.
Answer:

Transport System Of The Canadian Shield Region:-

The transport system or network of this region is not developed. But in the south-western parts of this region, communication is carried out through the Canadian National Railway, Hudson Bay Railway and the Ontario Northland Railway, as this region is mineral rich and industrially developed.

The Canadian-Pacific Railway extends to the south. The Alaska Highway and the McKenzie Highway are the two main roadways of this region.

Apart from this, the lakes and lake systems are also used as waterways. At present, places which are inaccessible by road, rail or water way receive and send necessary goods and communicate through helicopters and aeroplanes.

Question 10. Briefly write about Detroit and Montreal cities.
Answer:

Detroit:

Detroit, on the banks of the river Detroit, is the world’s largest automobile manufacturing centre. World’s biggest auto-mobile manufacturing companies such as Ford, Daimler, Chrysler and General Motors have their factories here.

Apart from cars, aeroplanes, tanks, artificial rubber, tyre, glass, and car batteries are also manufactured here. That is why Detroit is known as the ‘Motor City’, the automobile centre of the world.

Montreal:

Montreal, on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, is the second-largest city and the largest international port in Canada. The population of this city is about 1.75 million according to the 2016 census.

Aerospace, electronics, pharmaceutical, textile, paper, fur, rayon, engineering and tobacco are some of the main industries developed here.

Question 11. Discuss the transportation network of the Great Lakes region in the USA.
Answer:

Transportation Network Of The Great Lakes Region In The USA:-

The transportation system of the Great Lakes region is highly developed. The roadways and railways are well-developed. Almost every city is connected by air as well. Chicago’s O’Hare airport is the world’s third busiest airport.

The St. Lawrence Waterway has contributed greatly to the economic growth and prosperity of the Great Lakes region. Large sea-going vessels can travel almost 1600 km into the continent’s interior through the St. Lawrence waterway.

Understanding Great Lakes and Canadian Shield for Class 8

Question 12. Why is Chicago known as a ‘Windy City’? 
Answer:

Chicago Known As A ‘Windy City’:-

The largest city in the Great Lakes region is Chicago, which is also known as the ‘Windy City. Chicago is situated on the southwest of Lake Michigan.

Air flows over the city at a speed of almost 17 km/h. Hence, Chicago is also known as the ‘Windy City.

Question 13. Find out the places in India where such Livestock ranching and food processing industries mutually exist together.
Answer:

Gujarat, in our country, is well-known for its agricultural as well as industrial development. Due to the scanty of rainfall, agriculture is not developed in some of the regions of Gujarat.

So, various types of grasses are grown here. On the basis of these grasslands, cattle rearing is practised in northern and western Gujarat (Sanand, Bhuj). India occupies the second position in cattle rearing all over the world.

Based on the milk, derived from cattle rearing, huge amount of dairy products like-processed milk, powdered milk, cheese, butter, yoghurt, icecream, chocolate etc. are produced here.

Question 14. Why are numerous lakes seen in the Canadian Shield region?
Answer:

Numerous Lakes Seen In The Canadian Shield Region:-

The Canadian Shield region is a remnant of the ancient landmass, Angaraland, which was composed of ancient igneous and metamorphic rocks. In Ice Age, this area was glacier-laden and the entire area was enveloped in snow and ice.

Later, huge blocks of ice started to move in the form of continental glaciers. The erosional action of these glaciers led to the formation of numerous big and small lakes.

Examples- Great Bear, Athabasca, Great Slave, Winnipeg, etc.

Class 8 Geography North America Topic B Solutions

Question 15. Write about the fauna of the Canadian Shield region.
Answer:

Fauna Of The Canadian Shield Region:-

The coniferous forest of the Canadian Shield region are home to several creatures such as reindeer, beaver, wild cat, prairie dog, etc.

The areas that fall under the Tundra climate type have animals with long fur and hair, like deer, bears, wolves, furred dogs like huskies and numerous birds. The waters abound in beavers, seals, whales, etc.

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