Regions are essential in any area because they make one part of the area different from the other. In Canada, vast geographic distances divide the different population centers that emerge quite naturally since they developed from the initial trade routes established by the native populations. Different regions show diverse differences between each other. The issue of regionalism brings about the key differences between one region and another. Regionalism arises because of the development of the huge geographical differences, which separate one region from another (Harry, 2006).
Geographical features form the first dimension for the identification of regions while economic activities form the second dimension for the identification of regions. In order to understand every region, it is good to understand the people who interact with each region. This is because, it is not just the geographical features that differentiate one region from the other; it is also the economic activities of the people living within each region. The economic activities of the people in a particular region shape the nature and quality of lives of people in a region giving them a distinct identity. In this connection, regions are just social constructions because people respond to the elements in their surroundings and create action to create different communities.
There are various differences between Montreal City Canada and Winterton, Newfoundland in Canada. Winterton, Newfoundland is in the part of the Atlantic region in Canada while Montreal City is in the central part of Canada. Apart from the differences in their geographical locations, there are other differences between the two locations. These differences link to diverse factors, including uneven development, capital flows, political structures and state policies among others (Harry, 2006). This paper will examine the differences between Montreal City Canada and Winterton Newfoundland in Canada.
One of the key differences between Montreal City and Winterton Newfoundland is uneven development. The economic development between these two regions is different and this contributed to the issue of regionalism. Apart from economic development, there is also uneven population growth between these two locations. Montreal is the largest city in Quebec province while Winterton is a city in Newfoundland province. Montreal, has a population of over one million and Winterton, has a population of around five hundred people (Harry, 2006). This population difference contributes to uneven development and the two regions appear different and distinct regions. The Winterton education level is low and 2% of the population has a college degreel. This limits the number of individuals in management and medical care further development. Winterton is popular for fishing and boating. Montreal city has a higher level of education and therefore, higher economic development as well. Montreal’s good economy is also because of its filming locations, music festivals and good port services (Harry, 2006). In this connection, the differences between Montreal and Winterton, Canada display uneven development and constitute two distinct regions.
Another factor that has contributed to the regional differences between Montreal and Winterton in Canada is their state policies.
These two regions have diverse state policies, which have contributed to regionalism. Each of the regions has policies designed to stimulate growth in that specific region. In Montreal, state policies help in controlling the city’s economy. For example, a mayor heads the city. However, the executive committee decentralizes the power in these communities. The city council of Montreal also has decision-making powers and is in charge of preparing different documents including by-laws and budgets. This helps in controlling the city’s economy. Montreal has a state policy that prevents the over production of harmful substances that may affect the city’s environment. This has contributed to the decrease in the level of harmful chemical substances in the atmosphere. Winterton on the other hand has its own state policies, which control its economy. For example, there are policies, which guide the provision of education and other social services in the area. In addition, there are state policies, which guide economic activities and settlement in the area (Harry, 2006). The differences between the state policies of Montreal and Winterton explain the differences between the two regions.
Capital flows and elite control is another key difference between Montreal and Winterton. These two regions are different because they have different elite levels. Montreal has a large number of elites who contribute to the increased capital flows in the city (Harry, 2006). On the contrary, Winterton has few elites and this contributes to the low capital flow in the region because only a few people have the potential of performing technical jobs in the country. In addition, there is insufficient human capital flows for the few available job opportunities. This is because; most people cannot do management jobs, which require the services of the educated people. The low levels in education of the people of Winterton can be associated with the fishing activities going on in the area which are the main economic activities hence leading to reduced learning efforts. In addition, there is no vast market for the products and services of the people in Winterton because there is a low population of around 518 people.
On the contrary, Montreal has a large market for its products and services and thus there is need to invest in education in order to get large numbers of educated staff. The different political structures in each of the two regions have also contributed to regionalism. Montreal and Winterton have diverse political structures and leadership, which makes each of them to stand out as a distinct region from the other. In addition, Winterton location had some linkages with the North side Trinity Bay that influenced its resettlement while Montreal did not have such linkages and this contributed to the issue of regionalism (Harry, 2006). The linguistic differences between these two regions have also contributed to regionalism because each of the regions has people who use a distinct language. Due to their diverse social and economic interactions, the people of Winterton and those of Montreal have made many physical changes in each of their regions thus making each location different from the other. As a result, Montreal City in Canada and Winterton in Newfoundland are completely different regions.
Reference:
Harry, H. (2006). Canadian Society: A Macro Analysis. 5th Ed. New York. Penguin Publishers
