About Canada

Here are few general information on Canada - It is the second largest country in the world with 10 million square kilometers of land mass that is 7% of the world's land mass. Its population is approximately 31 million people and growing and is the largest country in land size in the western hemisphere. Three oceans border Canada - the Atlantic, the Pacific and the Arctic. Due to its size, there are many different geographical areas and regions that are divided into the following: the Atlantic region, Central Canada, the Prairie Provinces, the West Coast and the North.Of a total of 10 million sq km, over nine million are land and 755, 000 sq km are fresh water. Nearly 90% of Canadians live along the 6379 km southern border with the US, the longest open national boundary in the world. Canada's geography includes fertile plains suitable for agriculture, vast mountain ranges, lakes and rivers. Wilderness forests give way to arctic tundra to the Far North. Canada is divided into 10 provinces and 3 territories each with its own capital. The capital of Canada is Ottawa, while Toronto (3.8); Montreal (3.1) and Vancouver (1.6) are the largest cities.There are six time zones. The Eastern most, in Newfoundland, is three hours and 30 minutes behind GMT. The other time zones are the Atlantic, Eastern, Central, Rocky Mountain and the Pacific, which is eight hours behind GMT.Canada is one the leading G-7 Nations and it's a highly developed country, with excellent working conditions, an outstanding education system, a very high standard of living and a health care system ranked one of the best in the world. The United Nations has ranked Canada the best place to live for five consecutive years. Their surveys are based on quality of life, educational opportunities, unemployment and crime rates, and life expectancy.Canada is a young and dynamic country where immigration is the foundation for economic growth and which brings people, customs and traditions, rituals and culture to the forefront of current Government policy.Canada is a country composed of immigrants from practically every country in the world. Canada's success is largely due to the contributions made by these immigrants. The diversified backgrounds and cultures are what make Canada unique. No matter where you come from, once you are a permanent resident you have all the rights of a Canadian citizen. These rights are protected under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Should you wish to become a citizen, you can do so after you have lived in Canada for three years. As a Canadian citizen, you can apply for a Canadian passport and you are eligible to vote.In terms of proportion of population, Canada accepts more immigrants than any other country in the world. The Canadian government admits immigrants from all parts of the world on a fair basis and without discrimination. Once they enter Canada, immigrants are granted rights protected by the Canadian Constitution, including those enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Under Canada's official policy of Multiculturalism, people of different ethnic origins are able to live together in harmony and without discrimination. Canada also allows for dual nationality, and a Canadian citizen may simultaneously hold a Canadian passport as well as one issued by his country of origin.

Population

People from 150 different countries call Canada home. The first people who lived in Canada were the aboriginals, the native people of Canada. They are separated into three distinct groups: First Nations who lived in all areas of Canada, the Inuit who lived in the northern region, and the Metis who are descendants of First Nations women and English and French fur traders.Canada as a nation has complex three-dimensional character rooted in Canada's indigenous, French and British traditions. There is a constant infusion of US culture and a mix of traditions brought from Europe, Asia and Latin America by migrants. This all reflects in vibrant multicultural society in the process of forming its own identity.Canada has 10 provinces and 3 territories: Alberta (Capital-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); Northwest Territories (Yellowknife); Yukon Territory (Whitehorse) and Nunavut (Iqaluit). The eastern two-thirds of the former Northwest Territories are now known as Nunavut. In the Inuit language this means 'Our Land.'Canada's population is a little over 31 million. A marginal growth in population has been attributed, in equal degree, to both immigration and natural increase (births minus deaths). Between 1991 and 1996, the population of Canada grew at an average annual rate of 1.1%, this being the highest annual average growth rate of all G-7 industrialized nations. Canada represents approximately 0.5% of the global population.English language is the mother tongue of 16.1 million Canadians, and French, the language of 6.5 million. These are Canada's two official languages. However, many Canadians have a mother tongue other than English or French, including Italian, Chinese, German, Portuguese, Polish, Ukrainian, Dutch, Punjabi or other languages.

Government

Canada is a democracy with a parliamentary Government. The Prime Minister is the leader of the political party with the largest number of elected Members of Parliament in the House of Commons. Stephen Harper is currently Canadian Prime Minister. Canada usually holds federal elections every four years. Canadian Government consists of three parts: Federal, Provincial and Municipal. The Federal Government is responsible for things that affect all of Canada such as national defense. Provincial Governments are responsible for education, health care, etc. and shares some issues with the Federal Government. Municipal Governments are in charge of the police force, the fire department and environmental issues.

Climate

There are many climatic variations, ranging from the permanently frozen ice cap north of the 70th parallel to the lush vegetation of British Columbia's west coast. Daytime summer temperatures can rise to 35 °C and higher, while below zero degrees are not uncommon in winter. More moderate temperatures are the norm in spring and fall.Canada has four distinct seasons and the single most significant factor in climate is latitude. It usually gets colder the further north you go therefore as a consequence the warmest areas in the south are also the most populated. The western and eastern coasts are both very wet, though much of the rain falls during winter. In Saskatchewan, Manitoba and eastern Alberta the prairies are fairly dry all year.You can find great beaches on the West coast and mountains for ski lovers, world renowned wild life and vegetation, luxurious ski and camping facilities and much more. Canada is also home to grizzly bear and a perfect home for all nature lovers.

Education & Social Security

Canada boasts one of the world's best education systems with a large portion of public expenditures devoted to education spending and schools. The country offers first class primary and secondary education, free to all residents, as well as some of the world's best universities and colleges, which are made affordable to all classes of people as a matter of government policy. Canada's social security system is second to none: its health care system is fully funded by the government. As well, Canada offers generous public pensions, household benefits, unemployment insurance, disability subsidies and welfare payments.All Canadians have free access to health care. Most people over 65 and social aid recipients receive the majority of their prescription drugs free. Canada also has an extensive social security network including old age pension, family allowance, unemployment insurance and welfare.

Economy

Few countries boast of a higher standard of living than does Canada. Canada ranks higher than the United States in terms of life expectancy, and higher than Japan in terms of education. Consequently, the United Nations has ranked Canada as the highest on its 'Human Development Index.' More than 65% of Canadians own their own homes. An even higher percentage of Canadians own durable goods such as automobiles, refrigerators, washing machines, televisions, telephones and radios. Telephone service is virtually universal in Canada. Sixteen million access lines bring service to 99 percent of Canadian homes. With one of the best telecommunications systems in the world, Canadians are increasingly hooking into the information highway. In 1996, close to 35 percent of households had home computers, and over 45 percent of those computers were equipped with modems for accessing the internet.

• GDP per head: US$24,500
• Annual growth: 2,5%
• Inflation: 2,1%

Major products/industries: processed and unprocessed minerals, food products, wood and paper products, transportation equipment, chemicals, fish products, petroleum and natural gas.
Major trading partners: USA, EU, Japan, China and South KoreaCanada is a land of opportunity and abounds with economic prosperity, sound and affordable education options, world renowned health care and retirement schemes, an abundance of land, clean air and fresh water supplies, all providing for a safe and secure environment.Agriculture's contribution to the Canadian economy averages less than 4% of both GDP and employment. Agricultural exports, led by wheat, barley, pork, and horticultural products, are less than 10% of all trade. The U.S. is Canada's leading market, taking nearly one-third of all food exports. Conversely, Canada is the second-largest U.S. agricultural market (after Japan), primarily importing fresh fruits and vegetables and livestock products. Forest covers about half of Canada's total land area. Forest product exports, including pulp and paper, represent 15% of Canada's total export trade; nearly two-thirds is exported to the United States.Canada ranks first in the world in mineral exports and third in mineral production after the U.S. and the states of the former Soviet Union. It is the world's largest producer of zinc, uranium, and nickel; the second-largest producer of asbestos, silver, titanium, gypsum, and sulphur; and a leading producer of molybdenum, aluminium, cobalt, gold, lead, copper, iron, and platinum.Canada is a major producer of hydroelectricity, oil, and gas; unlike most of its industrial partners, it is a net exporter of energy (primarily gas and electricity). Canada's exports and imports of oil are currently in approximate balance. Crude petroleum is the largest single component of Canada's minerals output. Canadian oil reserves are about 6.8 billion barrels. Canada annually produces more than 530 million barrels of oil and about 3.5 trillion cubic feet of natural gas; all this makes Canada the largest energy supplier for the U.S. market.

Capital	Ottawa
Total Area	9,976,140 Sq. Km.
Population	35,427,524 (2014 estimate)
Languages	English 59% (Official), French 24% (Official), Others 17%
Literacy	98% (Est. 2002)
Religions	Roman Catholic 42%, Protestant 40%, Others 18%
Life Expectancy	76 Male, 83 Female (Est. 2002).
Government Type	Confederation with Parliamentary Democracy
Currency	1 Canadian Dollar (CDN$) = 100 Cents
GDP (Per Capita)	CDN$ 26,110 (1st Qtr. 2003)
Labor Force (By Occupation)	Services 75%, manufacturing 16%, construction 5%, agriculture 3%, others 1%
Industry	Processed and unprocessed minerals, Food Products, Wood and Paper Products, Transportation Equipment, Chemicals, Fish Products, Petroleum and Natural Gas.
Agriculture	Wheat, Barley, Oil Seed, Tobacco, Fruits, Vegetables, Dairy Products, Forest Products, Fish.
Export	Motor Vehicles & Parts, Newsprint, Wood Pulp, Timber, Crude, Petroleum, Machinery, Natural Gas, Aluminum, Telecommunications Equipment, Electricity.
Imports	Machinery And Equipment, Crude Oil, Chemicals, Motor Vehicles And Parts, Durable Consumer Goods, Electricity.
Natural Resources	Iron Ore, Nickel, Zinc, Copper, Gold, Lead, Molybdenum, Potash, Silver, Fish, Timber, Wildlife, Coal, Petroleum, Natural Gas, Hydropower.
Provinces And Capital Cities	Alberta (Edmonton), British Columbia (Victoria), Manitoba (Winnipeg), New Brunswick (Fredericton), Newfoundland and Labrador (St. John's), Northwest Territories (Yellowknife), Nova Scotia (Halifax), Nunavut (Iqaluit), Ontario (Toronto), Prince Edward Island (Charlottetown), Québec (Québec), Saskatchewan (Regina), Yukon (Whitehorse).