Canada
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| - | | July 1, 1867 |
| - | | December 11, 1931 |
| - | | April 17, 1982 |
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| - | Total | |
| - | | 8.92 (891,163 km2/344,080 mi2) |
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| - | 2010 estimate | |
| - | 2006 census | |
| - | | 3.41/km2 (228th)
8.3/sq mi |
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Canada (pronounced /ˈkænədə/) is a country occupying most of northern North America, extending from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west and northward into the Arctic Ocean. It is the world's second largest country by total area. Canada's common border with the United States to the south and northwest is the longest in the world.
The land occupied by Canada was inhabited for millennia by various groups of Aboriginal people. Beginning in the late 15th century, British and French expeditions explored, and later settled along, the Atlantic coast. France ceded nearly all of its colonies in North America in 1763 after the Seven Years' War. In 1867, with the union of three British North American colonies through Confederation, Canada was formed as a federal dominion of four provinces.[8][9] This began an accretion of provinces and territories and a process of increasing autonomy from the United Kingdom. This widening autonomy was highlighted by the Statute of Westminster of 1931 and culminated in the Canada Act of 1982, which severed the vestiges of legal dependence on the British parliament.
A federation consisting of ten provinces and three territories, Canada is governed as a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy with Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state. It is a bilingual nation with both English and French as official languages at the federal level. One of the world's highly developed countries, Canada has a diversified economy that is reliant upon its abundant natural resources and upon trade—particularly with the United States, with which Canada has had a long and complex relationship. It is a member of the G8, G-20, NATO, OECD, WTO, Commonwealth, Francophonie, OAS, APEC, and UN.
Geography and climate
Canada occupies a major northern portion of North America, sharing land borders with the contiguous United States to the south and the U.S. state of Alaska to the northwest, stretching from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west; to the north lies the Arctic Ocean. By total area (including its waters), Canada is the second-largest country in the world—after Russia—and the largest on the continent.[6] By land area, Canada ranks fourth (land area is total area minus the area of lakes and rivers).[87]
Since 1925, Canada has claimed the portion of the Arctic between 60°W and 141°W longitude,[88] but this claim is not universally recognized. The northernmost settlement in Canada (and in the world) is Canadian Forces Station Alert on the northern tip of Ellesmere Island—latitude 82.5°N—817 kilometres (450 nautical miles, 508 miles) from the North Pole.[89] Much of the Canadian Arctic is covered by ice and permafrost. Canada also has the longest coastline in the world: 202,080 kilometres (125,570 mi).[6]
The population density, 3.3 inhabitants per square kilometre (8.5/sq mi), is among the lowest in the world. The most densely populated part of the country is the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor, (situated in Southern Quebec and Southern Ontario) along the Great Lakes and the Saint Lawrence River in the southeast.[90]
Canada has an extensive coastline on its north, east, and west, and since the last glacial period it has consisted of eight distinct forest regions, including extensive boreal forest on the Canadian Shield.[92] The vastness and variety of Canada's geography, ecology, vegetation and landforms have given rise to a wide variety of climates throughout the country.[93] Because of its vast size, Canada has more lakes than any other country, containing much of the world's fresh water.[94] There are also fresh-water glaciers in the Canadian Rockies and the Coast Mountains.
Average winter and summer high temperatures across Canada vary according to the location. Winters can be harsh in many regions of the country, particularly in the interior and Prairie provinces, which experience a continental climate, where daily average temperatures are near −15 °C (5 °F) but can drop below −40 °C (−40.0 °F) with severe wind chills.[95] In noncoastal regions, snow can cover the ground almost six months of the year (more in the north). Coastal British Columbia enjoys a temperate climate, with a mild and rainy winter. On the east and west coasts, average high temperatures are generally in the low 20s °C (70s °F), while between the coasts, the average summer high temperature ranges from 25 to 30 °C (77 to 86 °F), with occasional extreme heat in some interior locations exceeding 40 °C (104 °F).[96]
Canada is also geologically active, having many earthquakes and potentially active volcanoes, notably Mount Meager, Mount Garibaldi, Mount Cayley, and the Mount Edziza volcanic complex.[97] The volcanic eruption of Tseax Cone in 1775 caused a catastrophic disaster, killing 2,000 Nisga'a people and the destruction of their village in the Nass River valley of northern British Columbia; the eruption produced a 22.5-kilometre (14.0 mi) lava flow, and according to legend of the Nisga'a people, it blocked the flow of the Nass River.[98]
10. MONT ROYAL PARK – MONTREAL
Mont Royal Park is located at the highest point in the city of Montreal. Within the park you’ll find a ski trail, an oratory, and a Roman Catholic Basilica – amongst many other attractions. The park, named for the city itself, captures the attention of more than 3 million visitors each year.
9. CANADA’S WONDERLAND – MAPLE, ONTARIO
Canada’s Wonderland is home to the largest wooden roller coaster in existence in Canada. It’s also the location of the only “flying coaster” in the country – the Time Warp. More than 3.35 million people visit this incredibly fun theme park each year and, according to news sources, the park is still expanding.
8. BANFF NATIONAL PARK – ALBERTA
Banff National Park was the first national park established in Canada. The park consists of 2,500 acres of land in the Canadian Rockies and regularly attracts nature lovers to its glaciers and meadows. There are two towns within the park: Banff and Lake Louise. Both are filled with galleries, museums, and cultural attractions designed to occupy visitors in between treks into the wilderness. Approximately 3.3 million people visit the park, to explore and to ski, each year.
7. THE FORKS – WINNIPEG
The Forks is another incredible park found at the point where the Red and Assiniboine rivers come together. The park has a lot of history, having once served as an Aboriginal settlement and then later as a major fur trading stop. Today the park draws more than 4 million annual visitors to its skateboarding park, plazas, and concerts.
6. EXHIBITION PLACE – TORONTO
Exhibition Place is a large urban park spanning over 192 acres of land. The park sits on the shores of Lake Ontario and regularly hosts special shows, including the Canadian National Exhibition. The Canadian Bureau for the Advancement of Music calls Exhibition Place its home year round and is proud to cater to the 5.2 million visitors who flock to the park every year.
5. VIEUX PORT – MONTREAL
Vieux Port, also known as Old Port, draws nearly 6 million visitors each year. The riverfront is completely separate from the nearby Port of Montreal but has its own distinct and attractive allure. During the summer months there are circus shows and dances while during the winter months patrons stop by to see the Montreal High Lights Festival and fireworks shows.
4. STANLEY PARK – VANCOUVER, B.C.
The 1,000 acre Stanley Park lies within the city limits of Vancouver. Visitors come to walk amongst the cedars, hemlocks, and gardens or to watch their children in the playgrounds. There are even a few small restaurants scattered within the park grounds. More than 8 million people stroll the park grounds on an annual basis.
3. GRANDVILLE ISLAND – VANCOUVER, B.C.
Granville Island was once a major epicenter for those working in the slaughterhouse or saw milling industries. Over time the island transformed and for the past 30+ years has drawn visitors to its steadily growing collection of artist studios, galleries, theaters, restaurants, and artisan shops. The island receives more than 10.5 million visitors each year and it is believe that only 29 percent of those visitors are British Columbia natives.
2. HARBOURFRONT CENTRE – TORONTO
The waterfront in Toronto consists of 10 acres of sheer beauty. Here you’ll find an amazing ice skating rink, a large boardwalk, and a number of great ships on display. One such ship, the 1812 War Privateer of the North Atlantic, allows visitors to come on board and look around. Approximately 12 million people visit the waterfront of Toronto annually.
1. NIAGARA FALLS – ONTARIO
The folks in the City of Niagara Falls in Ontario estimate that Niagara Falls receives more than 12 million visitors every single year. We really weren’t surprised to find that it’s such a popular attraction – it’s one of the most famous in the United States as well. What we don’t do is attempt to determine which side – Canada or the US – gets more visitors.
Hopefully you’ll get to visit at least a few of these great attractions during your Canadian vacation. If not, you’ll just have to make a second trip!
| CN Tower |
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| Located in the heart of Downtown Toronto, the world's tallest building (553 metres) stands between the SkyDome and the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on Front Street, just north of Bremner Blvd. Near the top, a 24 sq. metre glass floor allows visitors to watch the streets under their feet. |
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