Canada is the second largest country in the world in total area, extending from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean with claims extending to the North Pole. The northern-most country on the mainland of North America, Canada has land borders only with the United States.
The capital city is Ottawa, Ontario, the seat of Canada's Parliament. The Governor General, the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Loyal Opposition, and the Speaker of the House of Commons have official residences in the National Capital Region.
Canada is bordered to the west by the Pacific Ocean and Alaska, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the northeast by Greenland, and to the south by the ‘Lower 48’ of the USA. The polar ice cap lies to the north. The landscape is diverse, ranging from the Arctic tundra of the north to the great prairies of the central area. Westward are the Rocky Mountains, and in the southeast are the Great Lakes, the St Lawrence River and Niagara Falls. The country is divided into 10 provinces and three territories. A more detailed description of each province can be found under the separate provincial entries.
Western Canada is renowned for its stunningly beautiful countryside. Stroll through Vancouver’s Stanley Park, overlooking the blue waters of English Bay or ski the slopes of world-famous Whistler-Blackcomb, surrounded by thousands of hectares of pristine forestland. For a cultural experience, you can take an Aboriginal nature hike to learn about Canada’s First Nations’ history and cuisine, while outdoorsmen can river-raft, hike or heli-ski the thousands of kilometers of Canada’s backcountry, where the memories of gold prospectors and pioneers still flourish today.
By contrast, Eastern Canada mixes the flavor and charm of Europe with the bustle of trendy New York. Toronto boasts an irresistible array of ethnic restaurants, bakeries and shops to tempt the palate, while Charlottetown, Canada’s birthplace, is located amidst the rolling fields and sandy Atlantic beaches of Prince Edward Island. Between the two, ancient Québec City is a world unto itself: the oldest standing citadel in North America and the heart of Québécois hospitality.
Of course, don’t forget Northern Canada, where planes or all-terrain vehicles are sometimes the most common forms of transport and wildlife viewing is at its best.
Canada is a federation of ten provinces (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Saskatchewan) and three territories (Northwest Territories, Yukon, and as of April 1, 1999, Nunavut). Formally considered a constitutional monarchy, Canada is governed by its own House of Commons. While the governor-general is officially the representative of Queen Elizabeth II, in reality the governor-general acts only on the advice of the Canadian prime minister.
people in Canada are ethnically British or French, but other people from other European countries are also present and indigenous peoples are the majority in the north. Most Canadians live in cities, and most of the cities are close to the southern border. The largest urban areas are in Québec and Ontario provinces, or central Canada, where some two-thirds of the population lives. French and English are the official languages, though English is more widely spoken than French. Canada sees many people immigrating to its land, though this group still remains a minority. The people of Canada are mostly literate and maintain a high standard of living.
Canada has a variety of artistic cultures. The interest of the people in dance and music gets clearly reflected in symphony orchestras, opera companies, classical and modern dance groups, and live theater, which are quite common in Canada. The musicians of Canada have made a mark not just in their country but also across the globe. The same goes for the writers who have also gained worldwide recognition, the painters, the sculptors, filmmakers, and architects.
Summer thunderstorms are common throughout Canada. Occasionally, these may become 'severe'. Tornados also occur throughout Canada, with May to September being prime months. The peak season is June and early July in southern Ontario, Alberta, southeastern Québec, and a band stretching from southern Saskatchewan and Manitoba, through to Thunder Bay. The interior of British Columbia and western New Brunswick are also tornado zones. Earth tremors occur in the western mountains. Forest fires can occur at any time, regardless of the season, particularly in the grasslands and forests of western Canada.
Canada's official languages are English and French. As of December 2005, its official population estimate is approximately 32.4 million.
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