Question

1850s population in british north america look at the distribution of the population in 1851 in british north america and answer the questions below.
colony/territories population percentage of bna’s population
canada east (québec) 890 261 35.2%
canada west (ontario) 952 004 37.6%
nova scotia 276 854 10.9%
new brunswick 193 800 7.7%
newfoundland 101 600 4%
pei 56 878 2.2%
new caledonia 55 000 2.2%
rupert’s land and northwest territories 5700 0.2%
total 2 532 097 100%

1. why do you think rupert’s land has the largest landmass in bna while also having the smallest population? what factors contributed to this?
2. why do you think colonies toward the east have much larger populations than colonies on the west?

Explanation:

1. Rupert's Land had a small population despite its large land - mass likely due to harsh climate conditions, less arable land, and limited economic opportunities compared to other regions. It was also more remote and less accessible, making settlement and development difficult.
2. Colonies in the east had larger populations because they had more favorable climates for agriculture and settlement, better access to trade routes (both coastal and river - based), and were more established. They also had more developed infrastructure and were closer to European markets, attracting more settlers.

Answer:

1. Harsh climate, limited resources, remoteness.
2. Favorable climate, better trade access, more development.