ACTIVITY ONE: Measuring Distance on a Map

• A detailed map of Canada. A map in an atlas or a national roadmap showing rivers and lakes will do.
• A ruler
• A piece of paper and a pencil

Activity Steps

1) Locate Hudson Bay on the map. Then locate York Factory on the western shore. If York Factory isn't listed, then find the spot where the Nelson River and Hayes River enter the bay.

2) Using your ruler, measure each section of the journey below. Write down the length of each section, in centimeters.

a) Nelson River from its mouth on Hudson Bay to Split Lake

b) Burntwood River from Split Lake to where it nearly touches the Churchill River at Highrock Lake

c) Churchill River from Highrock Lake to Lac Ile à la Crosse

d) Lac Ile à la Crosse through Peter Pond Lake to Lac La Loche where it nearly touches the Clearwater River

e) Clearwater River to where it meets the Athabasca River at Fort McMurray

f) Athabasca River to Fort Chipewyan on Lake Athabasca

g) Peace River from Fort Chipewyan to Fort Vermilion

h) Peace River from Fort Vermilion to the town of Peace River

i) Peace River from the town of Peace River to Williston Lake

j) Williston Lake to Fort McLeod on McLeod Lake

3) Now, add the length of each section to determine the total length of the entire trip. Using your map's scale as a guide, figure out the actual distance, in kilometres.

4) How much time would it take to complete this trip in a canoe? Assume the crew paddle for fifteen hours each day, at an average speed of two kilometres per hour.

5) Using your map, measure the shortest distance between York Factory and Fort McLeod again, but this time measure along roads and highways. How much time would it take a car to cover the total distance (driving for fifteen hours each day, at an average speed of 60 kilometres per hour)? How long would it take a commercial airliner (flying at 800 kilometres per hour)? Are you sure?

For Teachers

• This activity can be used to illustrate the influences of geography and technology on transportation networks.
• This activity can complement discussion on the impact of transportation technology on lifestyles and work.
• This activity makes use of maps and mapping tools to locate and measure major physical features.

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