Canada has been an influential member of the Commonwealth and has played a leading role in the organization of French-speaking countries known as La Francophonie. It was a founding member of the United Nations and has been active in a number of major UN agencies and other worldwide operations. With its massive coastline and endless amount of freshwater lakes and beaches, Canada is truly a water lover’s paradise. With the Pacific Ocean in the west, the Arctic Ocean in the north, and the Atlantic Ocean out east, almost every province has its own coastline. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police have a long history and remain to be one of Canada’s largest national institutions. The Mounties currently employ over 35,000 police officers, civilian members, and public service members.
- The third largest city is Vancouver, a centre for trade with the Pacific Rim countries and the principal western gateway to Canada’s developing interior.
- Late-15th Century – First Nations population is estimated to be between 200,000 and two million.
- Dominion status allowed Canada a large measure of self-rule, but matters pertaining to international diplomacy and military alliances were reserved to the British crown.
- To see the largest land mammal in North America, head to Elk Island National Park just outside of Edmonton, where you can see about 700 wood and plains bison.
Canada
Producing some of the most talented players in the world, Canada holds a total of 18 Olympic gold medals in hockey – more than any other country by a landslide. Canada is now home to seven NHL teams and countless other hockey organizations and leagues. The hockey culture is so strong that 93 percent of Canadians say it provides a sense of community in the country. So even if you’re not a sports fan, the uniting force of the game is undeniable. Did you know that Canada provides around 75 percent of the world’s maple syrup supply?
The world’s longest coastline
The region is home to some famous National Parks including Banff, Jasper, and Yoho. While we’re on Canada’s obsession with maple syrup, the maple leaf is also the iconic emblem featured on the national flag. The red and white single maple leaf design is highly recognizable and can be seen from a distance.
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Even better, there are tours that let you discover both the American side and Canadian side of Niagara Falls. You’ll also find theme parks, vibrant nightlife, wine trails, and much more – making it the perfect spot for a weekend getaway. Canada is known for being home to some of the world’s most expensive cities. The coffee giant has even been referenced in pop culture shows like How I Met Your Mother. To see the largest land mammal in North America, head to Elk Island National Park just outside of Edmonton, where you can see about 700 wood and plains bison.
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- The Canadian Rockies are full of sparkling glaciers, turquoise lakes, and winding roads.
- In the 16th century, French explorer Jacques Cartier used the name Canada to refer to the area around the settlement that is now Quebec city.
- It’s believed that the first hockey game ever was played in Montreal in the 1870s, so it’s clear to see why the Montreal Canadians were the first NHL team.
- 11th Century – Norse explorers reach North America, establishing the first known European settlement in the Americas on Newfoundland.
- The Mounties currently employ over 35,000 police officers, civilian members, and public service members.
The public Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) runs national radio and TV networks in French and English, as well as services for indigenous people in the north. To prove that point, the chain can be found in every major arena and has tons of maple-flavored menu items. The Canadian Rockies are full of sparkling glaciers, turquoise lakes, and winding roads.
Both English and French enjoy official status, and mainly French-speaking Quebec – where pressure for full sovereignty has abated in recent years – has wide-ranging cultural autonomy. A trip to Banff is practically a given in a Canadian’s lifetime, as well as one of the most popular tourist destinations. The park gets especially busy in the summer months as tourists swarm this mountain town. Some of the most breathtaking lakes in the country are found in Banff National Park including Lake Louise and Emerald Lake.
Dominion status allowed Canada a large measure of self-rule, but matters pertaining to international diplomacy and military alliances were reserved to the British crown. Canada became entirely self-governing within the British Empire in 1931, though full legislative independence was not achieved until 1982, when Canada obtained the right to amend its own constitution. Despite Canada’s great size, it is one of the world’s most sparsely populated countries. In addition, Canada harbours and exports a wealth of natural resources and intellectual capital equaled by few other countries. Canada has a long history of public broadcasting and a lively commercial media sector.
If you’re looking to sample the most authentic ice wine, Niagara Falls is the best place to visit. It’s meant to be served at the end of a meal, usually with foods like cheese, fruit, or chocolate. The word has become somewhat of a Canadian stereotype and can be found on billboards, business ads, and television shows to poke fun at Canadian culture. These hardworking creatures have been important to Canada’s identity since the European settlement when the fur trade was alive and well.
The restaurant serves coffee, doughnuts, sandwiches, and other fast food items. Although Canada is only the second-largest country in the world, it has the longest coastline with a length of over 240,000 kilometers. From Vancouver Island to Newfoundland, there are coastlines, Rocky Mountains, prairies, and cities to explore along the way. It’s believed that the first hockey game ever was played in Montreal in the 1870s, so it’s clear to see why the Montreal Canadians were the first NHL team. Since then, Canada has dominated the winter sport in almost every major league and event. Most of the maple syrup comes from farms in Quebec, also known as sugar shacks.
GDP – composition, by sector of origin
The third largest city is Vancouver, a centre for trade with the Pacific Rim countries and the principal western gateway to Canada’s developing interior. Other major metropolitan areas include Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta; Quebec city, Quebec; and Winnipeg, Manitoba. Canada is officially bilingual in English and French, reflecting the country’s history as ground once contested by two of Europe’s great powers. The word Canada is derived from the Huron-Iroquois kanata, meaning a village or settlement. In the 16th century, French explorer Jacques Cartier used the name Canada to refer to the area around the settlement that is now Quebec city. Later, Canada was used as a synonym for New France, which, from 1534 to 1763, included all the French possessions along the St. Lawrence River and the Great Lakes.
A federation of former British colonies, Canada follows the British pattern of parliamentary democracy. Ties with the US are now vital, especially in terms of trade, but Canada often goes its own way. The world’s second-largest country by surface but relatively small in terms of population, Canada punches above its weight in economic terms. Canada is known for being home to the most lakes in the world – a whopping three million of them!
After the British conquest of New France, the name Quebec was sometimes used instead of Canada. In 1867 the British North America Act created a confederation from three colonies (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Canada) called the Dominion of LexaTrade Review Canada. The act also divided the old colony of Canada into the separate provinces of Ontario and Quebec.