LaBonte, 1

John LaBonte
Cultural Geography
Mrs. Bullock
23 October 2016
Western Canada and the U.S. West
The word Western causes people to think of those classic TV shows and movies with
stars like John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, and Gary Cooper. They also might think of deserts, gun
fights, and saloons, specifically in the United States. However, those western characteristic are
shared by the Canadian West as well. Western Canada and the U.S. West are similar in spirit,
weather, and events.
First, they share the same spirit. Both Canada and the United States were settled from the
east to the west. This means that for a while, there was a frontier running north and south along
Canada that separated the known territory from the unexplored regions, not unlike the United
States. Not only did they both have a frontier, but they also both had the same type of terrain:
plains. The United States West was famous for its grassy plains that went on for miles. These
grassy plains are also found in the Canadian West. Like the United States, when settling the
Canadian West they built miles and miles of railroads for transportation. Canada has over 30,000
miles of railroad track!
Second, they both share similar weather. The Canadian western climate is a very harsh
one, not unlike the American West. During the summer, temperatures in both places can climb
over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and in winter they often drop below 0 degrees! Rainfall in both
places is scarce (only reaching an average of 15 inches per year) and the main vegetation in both
regions is grass.

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Finally, they both share similar events. The United States settlement occurred in two
distinct phases: the eastern settlement and the western settlement. The Pilgrims arrived in the
east, and after many years, began to move westward. Like the States, Canada was also settled
from the east to the west. However because of the colder climate, the Canadian West remained
open long after the American frontier had closed. Also, the United States West was settled in the
early 1800s while the Canadian West was settled in the early 1900s. Most importantly, Canada
shared the Dust Bowl with the American Midwestern states.
In conclusion, the Canadian and American West are very similar. Canada is not lacking
when it comes to frontier spirit. Second, they share the same weather: scorching summers and
freezing winters. Lastly, they share the same events. They both were settled east to west and were
both affected by the Dust Bowl. In all of these aspects, the Canadian West is not all that different
from the American West.