Former colonies and territories in Canada

A number of states and polities formerly claimed colonies and territories in Canada prior to the evolution of the current provinces and territories under the federal system.[1] North America prior to colonization was occupied by a variety of indigenous groups consisting of band societies typical of the sparsely populated North, to loose confederacies made up of numerous hunting bands from a variety of ethnic groups (Plains region), to more structured confederacies of sedentary farming villages (Great Lakes region), to stratified hereditary structures centred on a fishing economy (Plateau and Pacific Coast regions).[2] The colonization of Canada by Europeans began in the 10th century, when Norsemen explored and, ultimately unsuccessfully, attempted to settle areas of the northeastern fringes of North America.[3] Early permanent European settlements in what is now Canada included the late 16th and 17th century French colonies of Acadia and Canada (New France),[4] the English colonies of Newfoundland (island) and Rupert's Land,[5] the Scottish colonies of Nova Scotia and Port Royal.[6]

France lost nearly all of its colonies in North America in 1763 after the Seven Years' War to the British Empire.[7] Britain's imperial government over a century later then ceded the land to Canadian control in 1867 after confederation.[8] Since then, Canada's external borders have changed several times, and had grown from four initial provinces to ten provinces and three territories by 1999.[9]

  1. ^ "Eras". Canada History. 2009. Archived from the original on 22 October 2011.
  2. ^ "First Nations in Canada". Aadnc-aandc.gc.ca.
  3. ^ Reeves, Arthur Middleton (2009). The Norse Discovery of America. Bibliophileċċ. p. 191.
  4. ^ "French Colonies". Ashley Araiza, Cevera Clark, & Donielle Wolfe. Harlingen School District. 2009. Archived from the original on 1 May 2010. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
  5. ^ "List of Former British Dominions Colonies, Protectorates Protected and Associated States Mandated and Trust Territories". Flags of the World. 2009. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
  6. ^ "Scots". The Canadian Encyclopedia. 2008. Archived from the original on 20 May 2004. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
  7. ^ "The Seven Years' War in Canada". The Quebec History Encyclopedia (Marianopolis College). 2005. Retrieved 12 September 2010.
  8. ^ "Canadian Confederation". Library and Archives Canada. 2005. Retrieved 12 September 2010.
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference Natural was invoked but never defined (see the help page).