Landmass is sometimes valued much lower than we might expect. In the eighteen century, France perceived Guadeloupe (an island in the carribean) as more valuable than Canada [1] and chose to keep the former over the later. Voltaire is often quoted to have dismissed Canada as
"Quelques arpents de neige" (a few acres of snow).
Granted, France lost a war and had limited saying in what to keep, but the difference in perceived value is interesting.
I'd honestly agree with that assessment given the situation at the time. Canada is more valuable than Guadeloupe in a vacuum, sure, but in the context of geographic and naval concerns Guadeloupe was likely more of a net positive to France. The primary output of sugar was much more economically important, and the relative size just adds defense costs for Canada. Also, while the main port in Guadeloupe is relatively unsheltered and poor, it is well-situated strategically in the Carribean against their main rivals (English and Dutch).
Granted, France lost a war and had limited saying in what to keep, but the difference in perceived value is interesting.
[1] https://utpjournals.press/doi/10.3138/chr.91.4.637