Proud to be Canadian

Land Mass

Canada is the world's second-largest country (9,970,610 km2), surpassed only by the Russian Federation.

Capital

Ottawa, in the province of Ontario.

Provinces and Territories

Canada has 10 provinces and 3 territories; each with its own capital city (in brackets):
Provinces:

  • Alberta (Edmonton)
  • British Columbia (Victoria)
  • Prince Edward Island (Charlottetown)
  • Manitoba (Winnipeg)
  • New Brunswick (Fredericton)
  • Nova Scotia (Halifax)
  • Ontario (Toronto)
  • Quebec (Quebec City)
  • Saskatchewan (Regina)
  • Newfoundland (St. John's)

Territories:

  • Nunavut (Iqualuit)
  • Northwest Territories (Yellowknife)
  • Yukon Territory (Whitehorse)

National Emblem

The maple leaf has been associated with Canada for some time. In 1868, it figured in the coats of arms granted to Ontario and Quebec. In both world wars it appeared on regimental badges. Since the 1965 introduction of the Canadian flag, the maple leaf has become the country's most important symbol.

National Anthem

O Canada was composed in 1880, with music by Calixa Lavallée and words by Judge Adolphe-Basile Routhier. In 1908, Robert Stanley Weir wrote the translation on which the present English lyric is based. On July 1, 1980, a century after being sung for the first time, O Canada was proclaimed the national anthem.

Population

As of the summer of 1996, Canada's population was just over 30 million. As of March 2010 the Canadian population is 2010 – 34 million.

Main Natural Resources

The principal natural resources are:

  • Natural gas
  • Oil
  • Gold
  • Coal
  • Copper
  • Iron
  • Nickel
  • Potash
  • Uranium
  • Zinc
  • Wood
  • Water

Interesting Facts

  • The baseball glove was invented in Canada in 1883.
  • With only three people per square kilometer, Canada has the fourth lowest population density in the world.
  • The world's smallest jail is believed to be in Rodney, Ontario, Canada. It is only 24.3 square meters (about 270 square feet).
  • Canada has the ninth biggest economy of the world
  • According to the United Nations Human Development Index, Canada has the highest quality of life in the world.
  • Canada is the world's eighth biggest trader.
  • Of all of the world's producers of natural gas, copper, zinc, nickel, aluminum, and gold, Canada is in the top five.
  • Canada is the home of many great inventions, including: basketball, the electric light bulb, the electric range, the electron microscope, standard time, the television, the telephone, and the zipper.
  • Canada is the fifth largest energy producer.
  • Canada has the world's highest tertiary education enrolment