Canada





Canada is the northernmost country in North America, bordered by the United
States in the south (the world's longest undefended border) and northwest
(Alaska). The country stretches from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the
Pacific Ocean in the west, with the Arctic Ocean in the north (Canada's
territorial claim extends to the North Pole). The island of Greenland is
just northeast of Canada's northern most islands, while the French
possession of Saint Pierre and Miquelon is just off the east coast.

Canada is the world's second-largest country in terms of land area (after
Russia), but has a low population density, with approximately 31 million
inhabitants (Canadians). Canada is a modern and technologically advanced
country and is energy self-sufficient. Its economy heavily relies on its
abundance of natural resources.

                                       National motto: A Mari Usque Ad Mare
                                                      (From sea to sea)
                                       Official languages   English and
                                                            French
                                       Capital              Ottawa, Ontario
                                       Largest City         Toronto, Ontario
                                       Queen                Elizabeth II
Origin of the name                     Governor-General     Adrienne
                                                            Clarkson
The name Canada originated from a      Prime minister       Jean ChrŽtien
Huron-Iroquoian word, Kanata meaning
"village"    , referring to Stadacona, Area                 Ranked 2nd
a settlement on the site of            Ę- Total             9,984,670 km2
present-day Quebec City.               Ę- % water           8.62%
                                       Population           Ranked 35th
In practice, the country's official    Ę- Total (2001)      31,081,900
name is simply Canada. It has been     Ę- Density           3/km²
argued that the country's official
name still is The Dominion of Canada,                       British North
as the British North America Act,      Independence         America Act
section 3, created "one Dominion under                      July 1, 1867

the name of Canada;" and while the     Currency             Canadian dollar
1982 Canadian Constitution does not                         ($)
use the term, neither does it amend    Time zone            UTC -3.5 to -8
the earlier usage.
                                       National anthem      O Canada
However, starting in the 1950s the     Internet TLD         .CA
federal government began to gradually  Calling Code         1
phase out the use of the word
"Dominion" in official texts and instead simply refer to the nation as
"Canada." The last major change was renaming the national holiday from
Dominion Day to Canada Day in 1982. Dominion is still occasionally used to
distinguish the federal government as from the provinces.

History

Canada, which has been inhabited by natives including the First Nations and
the Inuit for about 10,000 years, was first visited by Europeans around
1000, when the Vikings briefly had a settlement. More permanent European
visits came in the 16th and 17th century, as the French settled here.

They traded much of their lands with the British in 1763, and after the
American Revolution, many British Loyalists settled in Canada. With the
passing of the British North America Act the British government granted the
request of the French and English leaders of the colony of Canada, the
status of an self-governing country on July 1, 1867. More definitive
independence came in 1931 with the Statute of Westminster, and in 1982 with
the repatriation of Canada's constitution.

On July 7, 1969 French was made equal to English throughout the Canadian
national government.

In the second half of the 20th century, some citizens of the French-speaking
province of Quebec have sought independence, but two referendums have been
defeated, albeit marginally in the last case (50.6% were against independence).

Politics

Canada is a constitutional monarchy, the head of state being the monarch,
currently Queen Elizabeth II. The monarch's representative in Canada is the
Governor-General, who fills the role of approving bills, and other state
functions. For the most part, the monarch (through her representative, the
Governor-General) is a figurehead, and what little real power she has is
reserved for times of crisis. The text of Canada's constitution can be found
at this page. It should be noted that the province of Quebec has refused to
ratify the Constitution Act, 1982, which contained procedures for amending
the Constitution.

The Governor-General is appointed by the Prime Minister, who is the leader
of the political party that holds the most seats in the House of Commons.
The legislative branch of government consists of the Parliament, including
the elected House of Commons and the appointed Senate.

Canada is a member of the United Nations, Commonwealth of Nations, La
Francophonie, NATO, the G7, and APEC.

Provinces and territories

Canada is divided into 10 provinces and 3 territories. The provinces have a
reasonable large autonomy from the federal government, while the territories
have somewhat less. The provinces and territories each have their own
unicameral legislatures.

The provinces are:

   * Alberta
   * British Columbia
   * Manitoba
   * New Brunswick
   * Newfoundland and Labrador
   * Nova Scotia
   * Ontario
   * Prince Edward Island
   * Quebec
   * Saskatchewan

And the territories:

   * Northwest Territories
   * Nunavut
   * Yukon

Geography

Eastern Canada is divided between boreal forest and the barren Canadian
Shield in the north and the highly fertile Saint Lawrence River Valley in
the south, where most of the country's population is concentrated. Large
parts of south central Canada are covered by plains and prairies. The west
of Canada mostly consists of rolling terrain on either side of the Rocky
Mountains. The Hudson Bay sea arm cuts deep into the country.

A number of large lakes are located throughout Canada, including the Great
Lakes, which form part of the border with the United States.

The vast north of the country is mainly arctic lowlands with a polar
climate, and is therefore extremely sparsely populated; for example, fewer
than 30,000 people live in Nunavut Territory, which is the size of Western
Europe. Most of the major cities are located in the more temperate south,
with largest concentration in the east. The largest cities are (in
descending order pop. wise): Toronto, Ontario; Montreal, Quebec; Vancouver,
British Columbia; Calgary, Alberta; and the capital, Ottawa, Ontario.

Economy

As an affluent, high-tech industrial society, Canada today closely resembles
the US in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and
high living standards. Since World War II, the impressive growth of the
manufacturing, mining, and service sectors has transformed the nation from a
largely rural economy into one primarily industrial and urban. Energy
self-sufficient, Canada has vast deposits of natural gas on the East Coast
and in the three western provinces, and a plethora of other natural
resources. The 1989 US-Canada Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and 1994 North
American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) (which includes Mexico) touched off a
dramatic increase in trade and economic integration with the US. As a result
of the close cross-border relationship, the economic downturn in the United
States in 2001 had a negative impact on the Canadian economy. Real growth
averaged nearly 3% from 1993 to 2000, but declined in 2001. As of 2003,
unemployment is up, with contraction in the manufacturing and natural
resource sectors. Nevertheless, with its great natural resources, skilled
labor force, and modern capital plant, Canada enjoys solid economic prospects.

Two shadows loom, the first being the continuing constitutional impasse
between English- and French-speaking areas, (see article: Politics of
Canada) which has been raising the possibility of a split in the federation.
Another long-term concern is fears of a flow south to the US of
professionals, referred to as the Brain Drain, lured by higher pay, lower
taxes, and the immense high-tech infrastructure. However, "Brain Gain", a
largely unrecognized phenomenon, is progressing simultaneously, cancelling
out "Brain Drain" or even exceeding it, as educated immigrants enter Canada
in the late 20th century and 21st century.

Demographics

As of 2001, 66% of Canadians are of European descent (mostly British and
French origins), 26% are of mixed backgrouds, and 6% are of solely
non-European descent, mostly from Asia. Only 2% of the population is formed
by the native population. Canada's two official languages are French and
English; French is mostly spoken in Quebec, Ontario, and New Brunswick. An
immigrant-heavy nation, fully one-sixth of Canadians are foreign-born, a
percentage second only to Australia.

Most Canadians are Christians, with about 42% being Roman Catholic, and 38%
Protestant.

Culture

Canadian culture is heavily influenced by British and American influences.
The province of Quebec has maintained a distinct French culture, which is
protected by special laws and constitutional agreements. For example, Quebec
uses civil law based on the Napoleonic code, whereas the rest of the county
uses common law derived from the British parlimentry tradition. The large
American cultural presence in Canada has prompted some fears of a cultural
takeover, and has initiated the establishment of many laws and institutions
to protect Canadian culture. Unlike the United States, Canada is not a
melting-pot; unique cultures are encouraged.

See also: Music of Canada, Canadian literature

                                  Holidays
     Date      English Name       Local Name               Remarks

 January 1     New Year's    New Year's Day, Jour Statutory.
               Day           de l'an
                                                  Statutory. Typically
 (varies)      Good Friday   Good Friday,         celebrated in April; see
                             Vendredi saint       Easter article for
                                                  details.
                                                  Typically celebrated in
 (varies)      Easter Monday Easter Monday,       April; see Easter article
                             P‰ques
                                                  for details.
 Monday                      Victoria Day; Fte   Celebration of the
 preceding May Victoria Day  de la Reine (Quebec: Queen's birthday.
 25                          Fte des Patriotes)  Statutory.
                                                  Statutory. Commemoration
 July 1        Canada Day    Canada Day, Fte du  of Canada's 1867
                             Canada
                                                  Confederation.
 First Monday                Labour Day, Fte du
 in September  Labour Day    Travail              Statutory.
                                                  Statutory. Thanksgiving
 Second Monday               Thanksgiving, Action is not celebrated on the
 in October    Thanksgiving  de gr‰ce             same day as it is in the
                                                  U.S.

 November 11   Remembrance   Remembrance Day,     Observance of Canada's
               Day           Jour du souvenir     war dead.
 December 25   Christmas     Christmas, No`l      Statutory.
                                                  Statutory. Day when shops
 December 26   Boxing Day    Boxing Day,          sell off excess Christmas
                             Lendemain de No`l
                                                  inventory.

Note: Each province also has its own provincial holiday or holidays.

International rankings

   * Said to be the #1 country to live in, 7 years in a row, as decided by
     the UN

   * worldwide press freedom index Rank 5 out of 139 countries