In this issue »    Editor's     Notebook »    Inside Story »    Reverb-     erations »    Explorer »    À la Carte »    Mosaic »    CG In-depth »    Special     Features »    Re:sources »    CG Surveys »    Shapes of     the Land »    Article Index »    Back Issues » Online exclusives » Subscribe! » Archives » Site Map » CG Home »

THE SHAPES OF THE LAND — from rolling hills to jagged mountain peaks and serpentine river valleys - have played a critical role in shaping modern civilization. As humans became aware of their physical environment, surface features determined geographical settlement patterns. Land formations influenced travel and the creation of territorial boundaries and eventually affected agriculture, trade and military manoeuvres. The study of land forms emerged as a new branch of science called geomorphology, and, primarily because of its unique glaciated landscapes, Canada has some of the most varied geomorphology in the world. Advertisement Join Canadian Geographic Online as we reveal the intricate and fascinating stories behind some of Canada's land forms. We'll tell you about some familiar landscapes, some obscure and some you might never have noticed. Within each section, select any highlighted word for a definition, or leaf through our glossary. Click the land form of your choice to begin. How GLACIERS shape the land... during and after the ice moraines eskers How WATER shapes the land... STREAM and RIVERS: meanders, floodplains and natural levees, and river deltas OCEANS: spits, sea cliffs, sea stacks and sea arches

The Geological Survey of Canada has spent more than 150 years studying the shapes of the land. Check out more spectacular landform images from around the country on the Terrain Sciences website at http://sts.gsc.nrcan.gc.ca/