About Canada
Canada is the second largest country in the world, being a federation of ten provinces and three territories. These stretch over almost 4 million square miles, which is almost 6.5% of the total land area of the world. This vast area covers many geographical areas from tundra in the north to the prairies in the mid west, the rocky mountains in the west and the great lakes and coastal regions of the east. The diversity of the environment will fascinate and inspire you.
Canada has a population of under 40 million people (approximately 0.5% of the current world population), and the majority of people tend to be concentrated in the cities of the east. Eastern Canada is the heart of the country with Toronto, Montreal and the national capital Ottawa all relatively close together, and Vancouver on the west coast. The central cities of Calgary and Edmonton sit on the plains, and offer their own unique experience.
All cities are easily accessible by plane, rail and road, and offer great trans Canadian sightseeing opportunities.
Canada is socially and financially very stable, with a parliamentary democracy. It is a diverse society with a large immigrant population. Canada is well known for its natural resources, and has thriving energy and agricultural sectors, and is a recognised leader in the world in these, and other, areas such as medicine and biotechnology.
Canada is ranked number 2 in the G20 as the easiest place to start a business and is one of the least corrupt societies in the world.
Coming to Canada to study will give you an insight into Canadian culture and lifestyle, and obtaining your qualification could well lead to a well paid job and mean that you will never want to leave.
Canada Weather
Canada is often stereotyped as being cold. In the north it is cold. Very cold. There is perma frost, a temperature of perhaps lower than minus 25 degrees Celsius, and indigenous people living a traditional way of life that is celebrated by Canadian culture. But that is not the end of the story on climate.
To the south there are four distinct seasons, and the temperature can climb to 35 degrees Celsius in the summer.
The East coast has its hottest month in January, with an average temperature of 21°C (70°F), the most daily sunshine hours (11), and it is also the wettest month with an average of 60mm of rainfall.
The coldest month is January at -3°C (28°F). there can be significant snowfall, especially from ‘lake effect snow’ and Canadians take advantage of this by their extensive winter sporting opportunities.
The West coast, Vancouver area sees August is the hottest month with an average temperature of 18°C (64°F) and the coldest month is January at 4°C (38°F).
The most daily sunshine hours is 13 in July, and this is also the best month to swim in the sea as the average sea temperature is 14°C (57°F). The wettest month is November with an average of 200mm of rain.
So, even from the simple snapshot you can see that the climate and weather varies from province to province, and this leads to many environmental wonders and experiences that cannot be found anywhere else.
Holidays and Festivals
Canada marks its holidays by Statute, following religious and patriotic occasions, although as like most western countries the holidays are periods for shopping and sales.
The holidays are;
New Years Day
January 1st each year.
Good Friday
This is a Christian remembrance day on the Friday before Easter Sunday. Easter falls on the first Sunday following the full moon on or after 21 March, taken to be the date of the vernal equinox.
Easter Monday
Christian celebration of the resurrection. Easter Monday occurs after Easter Sunday, which commemorates Jesus Christ's resurrection.
Victoria (Empire or Commonwealth or Journe nationale des patriotes) Day.
This is celebrated on the Monday before May 25th each year. Traditionally, cottages are opened for the summer and gardens planted on this weekend, and the day is still celebrated in some parts of the country with fireworks displays.
Canada Day
July 1, commemorates the day on which Canadian Confederation came into existence in 1867. Originally celebrated in rather quiet - and hence very Canadian - ways, Canada Day is now the occasion for elaborate cultural and entertainment spectacles, many paid for by the federal government to foster Canadian culture.
Labour Day
This is celebrated on the first Monday in September. It honours the contribution of organised labour, and can see union organised parades and picnics, particularly in Ontario,
Thanksgiving Day
This is observed on the second Monday in October, and celebrates the end of the harvest season. It is earlier that the same holiday in the USA, reflecting the shorter agricultural growing season in Canada.
Remembrance Day
November 11th. This is the day of the armistice that ended the Great War (World War 1). It is celebrated at the National Cenotaph in Confederation Square, Ottawa, and at cenotaphs in towns and villages all over the country. It is marked by a moment of silence at 11am, and parades of veterans of armed conflict.
Christmas Day
Christian Festival celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
Boxing Day
The second day of Christmastide, and St Stephens’ day. Boxing day as a term refers to the old tradition of providing servants with a ‘christmas box’ on the day following Christmas. It is now more of a consumer driven shopping experience.
Other holidays and festivals
Civic holiday (Heritage Day in Alberta), Saskatchewan Day, and Simcoe Day or McLaughlin Day in Ontario is celebrated in most provinces at the beginning of August.
Quebecers celebrate the Fête nationale du Québec (Québec national holiday) on June 24.
Newfoundland and Labrador observe Memorial Day (July 1).
The Northwest Territories celebrates National Aboriginal Day (June 21).
Yukon has celebrated Discovery Day in August since 1912.
Food In the Canada
A small sampling of Canadian foods. Top to bottom, left to right: Montreal-style smoked meat, maple syrup, peameal bacon, butter tart, poutine, Nanaimo bar
Canadian food varies across the country as you may expect, and has traditional French, English and Scottish roots.
Immigration has impacted the food of Canada, and now multi cultural food outlets are found almost universally across the country. There are some national dishes, but you will be able to find your own taste of food without difficulty and also be exposed to new influences.
Maple syrup is a national staple of Canada, universally available, and has aboriginal origins. This is commonly served with pancakes at breakfast.
Regional differences include British culinary influences in the maritime areas and Upper Canada (lots of fish, beef and pork).
French influences are seen throughout Lower Canada, Northeastern Ontario and New Brunswick. Dutch and Scandinavian culinary influences are found in the Southwestern regions of Ontario.
In the prairie provinces Ukrainian, German and Polish influences dominate.
There are many Chinese restaurants in each region, and these tend to tailor their cuisine to local tastes, and this leads to variation across the country.
Poutine is a Canadian national dish originating from the province of Quebec consisting of French fries and cheese curds topped with a brown gravy. It is celebrated as a symbol of Québécois cultural pride, and is very popular in the province. Annual poutine celebrations occur across both Canada and the Northwestern USA.
Places to visit
1. Toronto
Toronto is Canadas’ largest city, and probably its best known, eclipsing the Capital, Ottawa. Totonto has skyscrapers, upmarket shopping areas and bohemian experiences. It is also where the CN Tower is located, perhaps Canadas most famous man made landmark.
Photo: Alamy
2. Niagara Falls
Niagara falls sits on the US-canadian border and actually consists of three sets of waterfalls, the Horseshoe Falls, the American Falls and the Bridal Veil Falls.
Niagara falls form the highest flow rate of any waterfall in the world (around 2,400 m3 per second). Once you've seen the Falls (and perhaps taken a Maid of the Mist tour), you can explore the theme park-esque town that lives off the natural wonder's tourist appeal.
Take the Maid of the Mist tour of the Niagara Falls Photo: Getty
3. Montreal
The second largest city in Canada, Montreal is France's home away from home. The city's official language is French and spoken by more than half of the population. The French also lend the city its sense of cool, laid-back chic. It is a cultural hub with more than a few international flavours and boasts more than 100 festivals a year.
Le Fleuve Saint-Laurent, Montreal Photo: Fotolia/AP
3. Montreal
The second largest city in Canada, Montreal is France's home away from home. The city's official language is French and spoken by more than half of the population. The French also lend the city its sense of cool, laid-back chic. It is a cultural hub with more than a few international flavours and boasts more than 100 festivals a year.
Le Fleuve Saint-Laurent, Montreal Photo: Fotolia/AP
4. Vancouver
Vancouver has been named the "best place to live in the world" more than a few times. The west coast city in British Columbia boasts a buzzy cultural life, a rich platter of ethnically diverse restaurants and a cosmopolitan population.
The west end of Vancouver Photo: Fotolia/AP
5. The Canadian Rockies
The Canadian Rockies span British Columbia and Alberta and is one of the world's most impressive mountain ranges. Boasting mind-boggling scenery and a number of Canada's highest peaks, the region is ideal for explorers. There are also a number of ski resorts in the mountain range, including Banff, and the National Park.
Moraine Lake in the Canadian Rockies Photo: Fotolia/AP
6. Whistler
One of North America's largest and most popular ski resorts hosted the Winter Olympics in 2010 and boasts some 8,000 acres of pistes and 1,610m of vertical. Its ski area across two mountains - Whistler and Blackcomb - enjoys a long season from November to May and an impressive and reliable average snowfall.
Photo: Mike Crane/Tourism Whistler
7. The Yukon
The north west corner of Canada is a sparse expanse of peaks, wildlife and adventure. The Yukon is home to the highest mountain in Canada, Mount Logan (5,959m) and is a treasure trove of pristine nature. Sports enthusiasts can paddle lakes and rivers in canoes and kayaks, ride or walk trails, ski and snowboard or try ice climbing and dog sledding.
The Yukon in the autumn Photo: Fotolia/AP
8. Quebec and Quebec City
Quebec, the largest province in Canada, and its capital, Quebec City, are on the country's east coast, and play host to some of Canada's most beautiful countryside. Quebec City is one of the oldest settlements in North America, French-speaking and home to the Château Frontenac, a 19th century hotel that dominates the city's skyline. Quebec the province, of which Montreal is a part, has small, picturesque towns, ski resorts and moose.
The Château Frontenac in Quebec City Photo: Fotolia/AP
9. Ottawa
For a capital city, Ottawa is small and friendly and nowhere near the size of counterparts Toronto and Montreal. The city is charming and bike-friendly, peaceful and civilised, and a great base for exploring the Canadian wilderness on its doorstep in Ontario.
The Parliament Buildings in Ottawa Photo: Fotolia/AP
10. Nova Scotia and Halifax
Nova Scotia, or New Scotland, is not entirely dissimilar to its etymological cousin - famed for its seafood, nautical heritage and moderate climate. Its capital, Halifax, played a role in rescuing survivors from the Titanic over a century ago, and before that was the end point for the Royal Mail Ship Britannia's crossing from Liverpool in 1840, arriving at the historic port after only 12 days at sea.
Peggy's Cove in Nova Scotia Photo: Fotolia/AP
What language are spoken
Canada is officially a bilingual country, English and French are spoken throughout Canada, and have official federal status. French influences are apparent especially in Quebec, where the official language is French, but all legislation is in both French and English.
There are a multitude of other languages, as you may expect in a culturally diverse society.
