Athabasca

/ˌæθəˈbæskə/ noun

Definition

A large river system in western Canada, known particularly for the Athabasca oil sands deposits, one of the world's largest proven crude oil reserves.

Etymology

From Cree 'athabaskatw' meaning where there are plants one after another. The name describes the landscape of vegetation across this vast northern Canadian region.

Kelly Says

The Athabasca River flows through landscapes where indigenous peoples have lived for thousands of years, but it's now famous for oil sands mining—a perfect example of how modern economics remakes geography.

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