the Physical / Geographic
Environment

updated 2009 Jan 21
some minor updates 2012 May 14
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INTRODUCTION In this section of the course we will discuss how the "geography" of the planet has a big big effect on international business. It is also very important for you to develop some personal knowledge of one or two regions of the planet that includes related several countries. In addition, you should develop a good sense of the world map and be able to quickly know the relationships of various countries to each other in terms of location, size, population and language
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click In class, we will have a discussion why Switzerland makes and exports "Swiss army knives", chocolate and watches (Rolex & Omegas) - in the context of the influences of the Geographic environment.
Bond wears Rolex? - no Omega

See www.omegawallpaper.com for other such images.
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Switzerland
 http://history-switzerland.geschichte-schweiz.ch/industrialization-switzerland.html

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. There are a number of Physical and Environmental Forces influencing and effecting Int'l business in Canada.
  • geographical size and east-west spread of Canada
  • topographical and climatic challenges
  • the "gifts" of our natural resources
The 4 biggest consequences of the geography of Canada is our ability to have products to trade in
    • forestry
    • agriculture
    • mining
    • marine 
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Physical and Environmental Forces influencing and effecting Int'l business in Canada? Geographical size and east-west spread of Canada
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Physical and Environmental Forces influencing and effecting Int'l business in Canada? Topographical, "Latitude" and climatic challenges
  • many areas of Canada not suitable to living all year round
  • weather effects growing seasons for food
  • cost of food effects health and lifestyles
  • mountains act as barriers to transportation, communication, and limit habitable land space
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Physical and Environmental Forces influencing and effecting Int'l business in Canada? The "gifts" of our land based and ocean based natural resources
  • endowed us with timber for logging, lumber, paper

    • - wood (dimension lumber - 2x4, 2x6, plywood, etc.)
    - raw logs for processing pulp
    - paper and newsprint
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Physical and Environmental Forces influencing and effecting Int'l business in Canada? The "gifts" of our land based and ocean based natural resources

Since UTSC draws students from an urban region it is doubtful that many students in the class have personal experience living on a large farm - so it is understandable if the students do not think much about farming

- however, farming is extremely important to the Canadian economy and a large part of our international business and a consequence of the "natural gifts" of our geographical environment

- it is important that Canadians continue to have the ability to produce our own food at a price which Canadians can easily afford in order to maintain our independence and high standard of living

  • rich soil for agriculture - but limited to a small %'age of the country
    • grains & oilseeds, (Manitoba, Saskatchewan & Alberta)
    • beef and pork (Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan & Alberta)
    • dairy products (milk, milk powder & cheese) ,  (Ontario, Quebec)
permission to link to  "Atlas of Canada" online  communicated 2008 Sept 02 from Research Geographer Peter Morton, Natural Resources Canada, copies of emails kept in the Permission Binder
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Physical and Environmental Forces influencing and effecting Int'l business in Canada? The "gifts" of our land based and ocean based natural resources

Canadian Federation of Agriculture www.cfa-fca.ca

"The agri-food industry plays an important role in the economic health of the country. " CFA
- representing over $70 billion worth of goods and services.(1996)
 

  • According to the CFA, "There are five major agricultural production sectors in Canada. In order of importance to farm cash receipts, these are:"
      • o grains and oilseeds (34%) -wheat, durum, oats, barley, rye, flax seed, canola, soybeans, and corn - Globally, Canada produces 17% of the world's rapeseed, 5% of the world's wheat, 9.9% of the world's barley, 14% of the world's oats
      o red meats (27%) -   beef cattle, hogs, veal, and lamb
      o dairy (12%)
      o horticulture (9%)
      o poultry and eggs (8%)
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Physical and Environmental Forces influencing and effecting Int'l business in Canada? The "gifts" of our land based and ocean based natural resources
  • coastline for fishing many species of marine life
  • minerals to mine, gold, silver, coal, copper, nickel, uranium, etc.
    • in the form of ingots, and ore concentrates, and semi-processed metal products
    • diamonds in NWT

      • oil & gas in Alberta
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