Tuesday 20 March 2012

Background information about Canada


The name ‘Canada’ comes from the aboriginal word ‘kanata’ meaning land village or settlement. 

Canada is located in Northern North America. It borders the North Atlantic Ocean on the east coast, the North Pacific Ocean on the west coast and the Arctic Ocean on the North coast. 

The total area of Canada is 9,984,670 square kilometres. This makes Canada the second largest country in the world by area. Canada is made up of ten provinces and three territories. The provinces are Alberta, British Colombia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and Saskatchewan. The three territories are Yukon, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories. The Capital of Canada is Ottawa and is located in the province of Ontario. It is the fourth biggest city in Canada and is located quite far away from the main cities of Canada such as Montreal and Quebec City. The province of Ontario has the largest population in Canada with almost 13 million inhabitants. It is also the 2nd largest province by area with the province of Quebec being the biggest.   

The official language in Canada is English but in Quebec and New Brunswick they also speak French. Canada became a self- governing dominion in 1867 while retaining ties to the British Crown. 

The present day Prime Minister of Canada is Stephen Harper who is head of the Conservative Party. He is the 22nd Prime Minister of Canada. Canada celebrates the same holidays as other countries around the world such as Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Good Friday. They also have their own holidays such as Canada Day (celebrated on July 1st every year in celebration of Canada’s dominion status in 1867), Victoria Day (celebrated either on or prior to May 24th, it marks the birthday of Queen Victoria and the present Canadian monarch) and Remembrance Day (celebrated on November 11th every year to commemorate the war soldiers of Canada that have died.).

                                                                      Canadian flag:



Canadian shield:


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