The Exploration of the Canadian West

The exploration of the Canadian West was a period during which explorers and settlers sought to map and understand the vast, largely uncharted territories in Western Canada. Driven by economic opportunities like fur trading, resource discovery, and land for settlement, explorers such as David Thompson and the North West Company traveled through remote wilderness, charting rivers, mountains, and plains. This exploration laid the groundwork for subsequent settlement, trade routes, and development, shaping Canada's western frontier into a vital part of the nation's growth. It was a challenging and pivotal chapter in Canada's history of expansion and resource exploration.