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Unlike most chapters in this atlas, this chapter consists of only one interactive map: Native Population, Economies and Movement, ca 1820. This map takes a comprehensive look at the state of native subsistence and commerce in the early 19th century. It largely paints a picture of the results of a couple of centuries of contact with Europeans, and the decimation that resulted in the native way of life in northern North America.
On this map, population is shown by circles, colour coded by linguistic groups, and scaled according to estimated population size. This gives the general picture of population distribution at this time. These were greatly affected by disease and migration resulting from European contact. Information on patterns of population movement is also depicted - both traditional seasonal movements, and large scale migration due to warfare or other disruptive influences.
Native economic zones are broadly characterized by how traditional economies had been affected by European contact. These range from those severely disrupted by European settlement and resource depletion, to traditional economies relatively untouched by contact. Information on European commercial activity is also shown, to put the former into context: both trading posts, and routes of maritime commerce are depicted.
A useful cross-reference is to this map is the interactive map of Eastern Native Population, Early 17th Century, and the maps of subsistence in the earlier chapter in the atlas: Native Population and Subsistence, 17th Century. This shows the significant depopulation of eastern Canada during this time period, and the deep changes that affected native life. Details of much of this history can be found in the printed Historical Atlas of Canada, Volume I: From the Beginning to 1800.
