In 2022, Canada had a population density of about 4.43 people per square kilometer. The country has one of the lowest population densities in the world, as the total population is very small in relation to the dimensions of the land. Canada has a relatively stable population size, consistently with a growth of around one percent compared to the previous year. A small population in a large territory In terms of total area, Canada is the second largest country in the world. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Pacific to the Atlantic and northward to the Arctic Ocean, and this in total covers about 9.9 million square miles. The most densely populated area of Canada is what’s known as the Quebec City-Windsor Corridor in the provinces of Quebec and Ontario. Canada has a degree of urbanization of around 81 percent, because most Canadians prefer to live in cities where opportunities for work and leisure are in close proximity to each other and conditions are less rough.

Contained within the 3rd Edition (1957) of the Atlas of Canada is a plate that shows the distribution of population in what is now Canada circa 1851, 1871, 1901, 1921 and 1941. The five maps display the boundaries of the various colonies, provinces and territories for each date. Also shown on these five maps are the locations of principal cities and settlements. These places are shown on all of the maps for reference purposes even though they may not have been in existence in the earlier years. Each map is accompanied by a pie chart providing the percentage distribution of Canadian population by province and territory corresponding to the date the map is based on. It should be noted that the pie chart entitled Percentage Distribution of Total Population, 1851, refers to the whole of what was then British North America. The name Canada in this chart refers to the province of Canada which entered confederation in 1867 as Ontario and Quebec. The other pie charts, however, show only percentage distribution of population in what was Canada at the date indicated. Three additional graphs are included on this plate and show changes in the distribution of the population of Canada from 1867 to 1951, changes in the percentage distribution of the population of Canada by provinces and territories from 1867 to 1951 and elements in the growth of the population of Canada for each ten-year period from 1891 to 1951.

Contained within the 3rd Edition (1957) of the Atlas of Canada is a map that shows the density of the Canadian population for 1951. The first map display Western provinces, while the second map concentrates on southern Ontario and the Maritimes. Only the most populous areas are covered. Population density is illustrated by denoting the number of inhabitants per square mile. It shows a significant difference in the population distribution across Canada, mainly in urban and metropolitan areas. The cities with greater inhabitants are clusters within Capital cities, and a even larger concentration south, near the U.S. border, in particular along ocean or inland coastlines.

Estimated number of persons by quarter of a year and by year, Canada, provinces and territories.

Contained within the 1st Edition (1906) of the Atlas of Canada is a plate that shows two maps. The maps show the density of population per square mile for every township the Maritime Provinces, Quebec and Ontario, circa 1901. Cities and towns of 5000 inhabitants or more are shown as black dots. The size of the circle is proportionate to the population. The map uses eight classes, seven of which are shades of brown, more densely populated portions are shown in the darker tints. Numbers make it clear which class is being shown in any one township.

The majority of the Canadian population, about 60% is concentrated within a thin belt of land representing 2.2% of the land between Windsor, Ontario and Quebec City. Even though Canada is the second largest country in the world in terms of land area, it only ranks 33rd in terms of population. The agricultural areas in the Prairies and eastern Canada have higher population densities than the sparsely populated North, but not as high as southern Ontario or southern Quebec.

This table presents the 2021 population counts for census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations, and their population centres and rural areas.

The majority of the Canadian population, about 60% is concentrated within a thin belt of land representing 2.2% of the land between Windsor, Ontario and Quebec City. Even though Canada is the second largest country in the world in terms of land area, it only ranks 33rd in terms of population. The agricultural areas in the Prairies and eastern Canada have higher population densities than the sparsely populated North, but not as high as southern Ontario or southern Quebec.

Canada, with 3.33 people per square kilometre, has one of the lowest population densities in the world. In 2001, most of Canada's population of 30,007,094 lived within 200 kilometres of the United States (along Canada's south). In fact, the inhabitants of our three biggest cities -- Toronto, Montréal and Vancouver -- can drive to the border in less than two hours. Thousands of kilometres to the north, our polar region -- the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut -- is relatively empty, embracing 41% of our land mass but only 0.3% of our population. An inset map shows in greater detail the Windsor-Québec Corridor where a high concentration of Canadians live.

This table presents the 2021 and 2016 population and dwelling counts, land area, population density and population ranking for census metropolitan areas or census agglomerations. It also shows the percentage change in the population and dwelling counts between 2016 and 2021.

Comprehensive socio-economic dataset for Canada including population demographics, economic indicators, geographic data, and social statistics. This dataset covers key metrics such as GDP, population density, area, capital city, and regional classifications.

A map showing the Population Density per Hectare in the City of Peterborough from the 2006 Statistics Canada Census Data.Size: 11" x 17"Colour: Full ColourFormat: PDF

Estimated noise levels in five Canadian cities were produced by a national team of researchers at the University of Montreal, Ryerson University, Dalhousie University, University of Toronto, the University of British Columbia, Public Health Ontario, the Montreal Regional Department of Public Health and the Department of Public Health of Monteregie, Longueuil. Two approaches were used: land use regression (LUR) and random forest (RF) models. Geographic predictor variables (e.g., proximity to airports, railways and traffic, population density, vegetation, etc.) around noise monitoring locations are used in both approaches to predict the measured level of noise. Results for each method are included in the dataset, although the research team notes that the RF model performed better than the LUR model. See details in the Supporting Documentation. Estimates are available for Vancouver (circa 2003), Toronto (circa 2016-2018), Montreal (circa 2010-2014, Longueuil (circa 2017), and Halifax (circa 2010). The research team used the model results to produce noise level estimates for postal code locations in each city. CANUE staff linked the estimates to annual postal code files from 1991 to 2019. IMPORTANT NOTE: The researchers report that estimated levels best represent the spatial pattern of noise within each city, rather than an accurate measure that would be suitable for analysis of recommended noise level thresholds. Also, the estimated levels represent different time periods in each city. As such, data users should consider using categories of exposure based on the data, as well as the estimated levels provided. Data users should also consider the time periods of the city-specific model results and how these relate to their study approach.

Urban rats (Rattus spp.) are among the most ubiquitous pest species in the world. Previous research has shown that rat abundance is largely determined by features of the environment; however, the specific urban environmental factors that influence rat population density within cities have yet to be clearly identified. Additionally, there are no well described tools or methodologies for conducting an in-depth evaluation of the relationship between urban rat abundance and the environment. In this study, we developed a systematic environmental observation tool using methods borrowed from the field of systematic social observation. This tool, which employed a combination of quantitative and qualitative methodologies, was then used to identify environmental factors associated with the relative abundance of Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) in an inner-city neighborhood of Vancouver, Canada. Using a multivariate zero-inflated negative binomial model, we found that a variety of factors, including specific land use, building condition, and amount of refuse, were related to rat presence and abundance. Qualitative data largely supported and further clarified observed statistical relationships, but also identified conflicting and unique situations not easily captured through quantitative methods. Overall, the tool helped us to better understand the relationship between features of the urban environment and relative rat abundance within our study area and may useful for studying environmental determinants of zoonotic disease prevalence/distribution among urban rat populations in the future.

In this lesson, you will explore the Parks Canada system that includes Historic Sites, National Parks and National Marine Conservation Areas. These natural and historic features are significant because they represent the natural and cultural heritage of Canada. The Parks Canada System Web GIS Lesson Pack can be found here: http://k12.esri.ca/resourcefinder/data/files/ParksCanada_Web.zipNote: This assignment can be used as a GIS extension exercise for the Parks Canada: Places and Spaces for Everyone Activity 1 – The Parks Canada System. It is part of the Canadian Geographic Education’s Giant Floor Map Program.

Learning Outcomes

By completing this lesson, students will gain, by Province/Territory, Grade and Subject, the following curriculum-focused knowledge:

Identify and describe various characteristics of Canada’s natural environment (AB - Grade 4, 5 Social Studies; BC – Grade 5 Social Studies; MB - Grade 4, 9 Social Studies; ON - Grade 4, 9 Geography; YT – Grade 5 Social Studies; QC – Elementary, Cycle 2 Social Sciences)

Determine the spatial distribution of Parks Canada’s natural and historic features (AB - Grade 4, 5 Social Studies; MB - Grade 4, 9 Social Studies ON - Grade 4, 9 Geography; NB - Grade 4, 9 Social Studies; PE - Grade 4, 8, 10 Social Studies; NS - Grade 4, 9 Social Studies; NL - Grade 4, 9 Social Studies)

 3.  Understand how Parks

Canada’s features are connected to the local ecology and to human characteristics, such as population density and the location of cities (AB -Grade 4, 5 Social Studies; MB - Grade 9 Social Studies; ON - Grade 4 Social Studies, 9 Geography; NB – Grade 4, 9 Social Studies; NL - Grade 4, 9 Social Studies; NS - Grade 4, 9 Social Studies; NWT 4, 5 Social Studies; PE – Grade 4, 8, 10 Social Studies; QC- Elementary, Cycle 3 Social Sciences, Secondary, Cycle 1 Geography)

Point feature layer representing major transit stations pertaining to density intensification in the City of Barrie. Relevant fields within the layer include (but not limited to): Name, Type, Address, DensityThe City of Barrie is situated in the heart of Central Ontario, a premier waterfront community on Lake Simcoe, conveniently located an hour north of Toronto. With a growing population of 143,000 the City of Barrie is the 34th largest city in Canada. Visit barrie.ca for more information or contact Service Barrie at 705-726-4242 or ServiceBarrie@barrie.ca

Polygon feature layer representing areas of focus and planning in urban growth intensification initiatives in the City of Barrie. Relevant fields within the layer include (but not limited to): Type, Description, Previous Density, Target Density and Area.The City of Barrie is situated in the heart of Central Ontario, a premier waterfront community on Lake Simcoe, conveniently located an hour north of Toronto. With a growing population of 143,000 the City of Barrie is the 34th largest city in Canada. Visit barrie.ca for more information or contact Service Barrie at 705-726-4242 or ServiceBarrie@barrie.ca