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:''This article is about an ecozone. For the landform covering the same general region, see Hudson Bay Lowland. The Hudson Plains Ecozone is a sparsely populated Canadian subarctic ecozone extending from the western coast of Quebec to the coast of Manitoba, encompassing all coastal areas of James Bay and those of southern Hudson Bay, stretching to about 50°N latitude. It includes the largest continuous wetland in the world. It covers nearly a quarter of Ontario's landmass, and 3.6% of Canada's total area, totalling approximately 369,000 square kilometres of land and 11,800 square kilometres of water. Its historical prominence is due to the harshness endured by pioneer explorers who established fortifications for Hudson's Bay Company, and as a result of regional wars between France and Britain.〔 Today, it is primarily noted for the well-known Polar Bear Provincial Park, and to a lesser extent Wapusk National Park, as well as its vast wetlands which are used by migratory birds. ==Geography== The Palaeozoic and Proterozoic sedimentary deposits overlaying the bedrock〔 have formed into a wide and level plain characterised by raised beaches and river deltas, with an elevation rarely exceeding 120 m. The relatively flat land slopes gently toward the two bays, which act as a drainage basin for the region. However, the relatively poor drainage system has spurred the natural development of numerous wetlands. It is encircled by the Canadian Shield, with which it overlaps in a few areas to the east and west. To its north is the cold Arctic Archipelago Marine ecozone, and to the south is the milder Boreal Shield. Hence, this ecozone is transitional,〔 which is easily evident as it transforms from barren tundra in the north to open taiga forests in the south.〔 These forests resemble those of the boreal zone, with sparser vegetation.〔 Thousands of depressions carved by retreating glaciers have become lakes and wetlands.〔 The Hudson Plains is also noted for coastal marshes and extensive tidal flats,〔 with tidal marshes along the coast of Hudson Bay.〔 Belts of raised beaches are evident where rebound from glacier retreat is most prominent.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Hudson Plains Ecozone (CEC)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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