Canadian canoe routes
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This article covers the water based Canadian canoe routes used by early explorers of Canada with special emphasis on the fur trade.
The French fur trade was based in Montreal and the later British trade at York Factory. The shading shows Rupert's Land, claimed by Britain.
A large Montreal canoe running rapids. The Avant stands in front with a steering paddle and the Gouvernail steers from the rear. The milieux provide power under the instructions of the Avant
Forest axis. Note the light-colored prairie in the southwest and the greyish Barren Grounds to the northeast.
Rivers around James Bay. Marking shows a possible water diversion and is close to the route south from Moose Factory
Siberian River Routes
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Siberian River Routes were the main ways of communication in Russian Siberia before the 1730s, when roads began to be built. The rivers were also of primary importance in the process of Russian conquest and exploration of vast Siberian territories eastwards. Since the three great Siberian rivers, the Ob, the Yenisey, and the Lena all flow into the Arctic Ocean, the aim was to find parts or branches of these rivers that flow approximately east-west and find short portages between them. Since Siberia is relatively flat, portages were usually short. Despite resistance from the Siberian tribes, Russian Cossacks were able to expand from the Urals to the Pacific in only 57 years (1582-1639). These river routes were crucial in the first years of the Siberian fur trade as the furs were easier to transport over water than land. The rivers connected the major fur gathering centers and provided for relatively quick transport between them.
A continuous chain of populated places along the Angara, Ilim, and Lena rivers in 1773.