The topography features land forms left behind by retreating glaciers. The continental climate results in long, cold winters and short, warm summers. Maritime conditions along the Great Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean moderate winter and summer temperatures. Conifers are found throughout the ecozone, though deciduous trees increasingly appear toward the south. Urban centres have developed around the ecozone's resource bases.
Agriculture is limited to a few areas of fertile soil and suitable microclimate.
Given the limited available cropland, beef cattle farming predominates. Dairy production, though, is also important. There are only about 10,900 farms in this vast ecozone. The Atlantic Maritime ecozone encompasses all of the provinces of Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick and the southeastern part of Quebec. The ecozone has a cool, moist maritime climate and temperatures are moderated by the Atlantic Ocean.