answersLogoWhite

0

Canada, a former British colony and neighbor of the United States, has historically had strong ties with the rest of the English-speaking world. Canada is strategically placed in the North Atlantic and Arctic Circle, meaning it has a long history of military activity. Air and naval bases were constructed in Canada during the World Wars and the Cold War, to support operations against enemy submarines and surface ships which could disrupt Allied (later NATO) supply lines to Europe. During the Cold War, Canada also hosted three lines of air defense radar, the Distant Early Warning Line, Mid-Canada Line, and Pinetree Line, which provided North America's first warning of an impending ballistic missile or air attack by the Soviet Union or its allies, which was believed to be most likely to come over the North Pole.

Economically, Canada's vast northern regions contain large quantities of fossil fuel deposits and mining opportunities. Canada has experienced some territorial disputes with other Arctic powers over the sparsely inhabited, but economically-important frozen north. In addition, as the polar ice cap melts due to climate change, new trade routes are rapidly opening up in the Arctic Ocean. This has led to some friction with Russia, whose vessels have been very assertive in exploiting these new waterways.

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

What else can I help you with?