Canada Facts

Canada is a vast and beautiful country, stretching from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic, from the North Pole to the United States. Each region has its own unique features, with a population and an economy as diverse as its landscape.

Western Canada and the Prairies

Alberta

British Columbia

Manitoba

Saskatchewan

Central Canada

Quebec

Ontario

Maritime Provinces

New Brunswick

Newfoundland & Labrador

Nova Scotia

Prince Edward Island

Territories

Nunavut

Northwest Territories

Yukon

Here are some REALLY INTERESTING FACTS if you are a geography buff:

Canada is bordered by three oceans - the Arctic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean!

The Great Lakes, shared by the United States and Canada, consist of one fifth of the world's fresh surface water!

Canada is 9,984,670 km². That's almost the same size as the whole of the continent of Europe and about a third the size of Africa. You could fit the United Kingdom into Canada almost 40 times!

Approximately 85% of Canadians live within 300 km of the US border!

There are six times zones in Canada!

Lake Superior is so large that it has its own tide! The lake rises and falls a few centimetres due to the gravitational pull of the moon. Waves obscure the tide so much that it is difficult to measure!

Canada as a Nation

Canadian Geography

    • Canada is the second largest country in the world (9,984,670 sq km).

    • There are 33.5 million people living in Canada.

    • Canada is divided into 10 provinces and 3 territories.

    • Approximately 90 per cent of the population is located within 160 km of the US border. About 75 per cent of the total population lives in major cities or towns.

    • There are over 2 million lakes in Canada (755,180 sq km of fresh water), more lakes/inland waters than any other country.

Canadian Politics

    • Canada is a "Democratic Federation" with both Federal and Provincial levels of Government.

    • Federal jurisdictions include International policies, Defense, Immigration, Criminal Law, Customs, and Border control.

    • Provincial jurisdictions include health care, education, welfare and intra-provincial transportation.

    • The Canadian political system was initially drafted by the "Fathers of Confederation" in 1864, and became law in 1867 when the Constitution Act was passed.

Canadian Economy

    • Canada ranks among the 10 leading manufacturing nations. Important manufacturing sectors in Canada include food and beverages, paper and allied products, primary metals, fabricated metals, petrochemicals and chemicals.

    • From oil and gas to precious minerals, lumber, and agriculture, the country is rich in natural resources.

    • Agriculture, tourism, forestry, mining, and fishing are important economic sectors.

Canadian Education

    • Canada has one of the highest educational standards among industrialized nations.

    • Canada has both a public and private education system.

    • Secondary studies go up to Grades 11, 12 or 13, depending on the province. After secondary, students may choose to attend university, college, or CEGEP (in Quebec).

    • Canada has many internationally recognized universities.

Canadian Health Care

    • Canada has a public health care system that makes critical care accessible to all Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents.

    • Health care systems are run by Provincial ministries of health; however national standards are set by the Federal Government.

    • There are three Provinces that charge health care premiums (BC, Alberta & Ontario). In the remaining Provinces and Territories, health care is paid for through taxes.

Canadian Culture

    • Canada is often referred to as a "cultural mosaic," encouraging its immigrants and citizens to celebrate their traditions and culture.

    • Canadians speak more than 200 languages.

    • Canada's two official languages are English and French.

The Canadian Climate

Despite what many people think, Canada is not cold all of time! Canada has a wide range of climates and temperatures and experiences four distinct seasons (winter, spring, summer and fall). The below table provides the average high and low temperatures in major Canadian cities in January (mid-winter) and in July, (mid-summer).

Source : Environment Canada :

http://www.climate.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/climate_normals/index_e.html

Provincial and Federal sales tax rates per Canadian province