Canada

Canada: Country Overview Database

General Information:

• Official Name: Canada

• Capital: Ottawa

• Largest City: Toronto

• Official Languages: English and French

• Population (2025): Approximately 39 million

• Area: 9.98 million square kilometers (second largest country in the world by land area)

• Currency: Canadian Dollar (CAD)

Geography:

• Location: Northern North America, bordered by the United States to the south, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the Pacific Ocean to the west, and the Arctic Ocean to the north.

• Provinces and Territories:

  • Provinces: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan.

  • Territories: Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon.

• National Parks: Canada boasts more than 40 national parks, including the famous Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies and Pacific Rim National Park on Vancouver Island.

• Major Mountain Ranges:

  • The Rocky Mountains

  • The Appalachians

  • The Coast Mountains

• Notable Bodies of Water:

  • Great Lakes (shared with the United States)

  • Hudson Bay

  • St. Lawrence River

  • Lake Ontario

History and Key Historical Events:

1. Indigenous Peoples of Canada:
   
   

   • Indigenous groups, including the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, have inhabited Canada for thousands of years, with rich cultural traditions and histories.

2. Colonization and European Settlement:
   
   

   • 1497: John Cabot, an Italian explorer working for England, arrived on the coast of what is now Newfoundland, marking the first European exploration of Canada.

   • 1608: The French established Quebec City under Samuel de Champlain, beginning the colonization of Canada. French influence remains strong in Quebec.

   • 1763: Following the Seven Years' War, Canada became a British colony, and British settlers began to dominate the population.

3. Confederation (1867):
   
   

   • July 1, 1867: Canada officially became a Dominion of the British Empire through the British North America Act (now known as the Constitution Act).

   • The initial provinces were Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.

   • "Canada Day" is celebrated annually on July 1st.

4. Independence from Britain:
   
   

   • 1931: The Statute of Westminster granted Canada legislative independence from the United Kingdom.

   • 1982: Canada achieved full legislative independence with the patriation of the Constitution, which included the Constitution Act, 1982 and the addition of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Government and Politics:

• Type of Government: Federal parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy.

• Head of State: King Charles III (as of 2025), represented by the Governor-General in Canada.

• Prime Minister: Justin Trudeau (since 2015), leader of the Liberal Party of Canada.

• Legislature: A bicameral system:

  • House of Commons (elected members of parliament)

  • Senate (appointed members)

• Federal vs Provincial Powers: Canada operates on a system of shared powers between the federal government and the provinces/territories.

Economy:

• GDP (2025): Approximately $2.4 trillion USD.
  
  

• Currency: Canadian Dollar (CAD).
  
  

• Major Industries:
  
  

  • Natural Resources: Canada is rich in natural resources, including oil, gas, minerals, and forests. The country is a major exporter of energy products.

  • Automobile Manufacturing: Ontario is a key hub for the automobile manufacturing industry, with both American and foreign manufacturers operating large plants in Canada.

  • Technology: Canada's technology sector has grown significantly, particularly in cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal.

  • Agriculture: Canada is a global leader in the production of wheat, canola, and dairy products.

• Trade: Canada is highly dependent on trade, with the United States being its largest trading partner, followed by countries such as China, the United Kingdom, and Mexico.
  
  

Culture and Society:

Multiculturalism:

• Canada is a multicultural society that celebrates diversity. It has policies that encourage immigration and the integration of people from all ethnic backgrounds. Multiculturalism was officially recognized by the government in 1971.

Official Languages:

• English and French are both official languages. Canada’s official bilingualism is most pronounced in the province of Quebec, where French is the majority language.

Sports:

• Ice Hockey is Canada’s most popular and iconic sport. The National Hockey League (NHL) has many teams based in Canada, and the nation regularly produces top-level players.

• Lacrosse is Canada’s national summer sport.

• Canadian Football is also popular, with the Canadian Football League (CFL) being the national league.

Cuisine:

• Canada’s cuisine is influenced by its multicultural makeup, with poutine, butter tarts, and maple syrup being iconic Canadian dishes.

• Tim Hortons is a quintessential Canadian coffee and fast-food chain, synonymous with Canadian culture.

Literature and Arts:

• Canadian Literature: Authors such as Margaret Atwood, Alice Munro, Michael Ondaatje, and Leonard Cohen have brought global recognition to Canadian literature.

• Film and Television: Canada has a vibrant film industry, with notable directors like David Cronenberg and James Cameron. Cities like Vancouver and Toronto have become major filming locations for Hollywood productions.

Natural Wonders:

• Banff National Park: Located in the Rocky Mountains, it is Canada’s oldest national park and known for its stunning natural beauty, including lakes, mountains, and glaciers.

• Niagara Falls: One of the world’s most famous natural attractions, located on the border between Canada and the United States.

• The Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis): The spectacular light show is visible in Canada’s northern regions, especially in Yukon and Nunavut.

Notable Canadians in History and Innovation:

• Sir John A. Macdonald: First Prime Minister of Canada and a key figure in the confederation of Canada.

• Alexander Graham Bell: Invented the telephone and conducted much of his work in Canada.

• Dr. Frederick Banting: Co-discovered insulin, a breakthrough in the treatment of diabetes.

• Wayne Gretzky: Widely regarded as the greatest hockey player of all time.

• Marie Curie: Though born in Poland, she became a Canadian citizen later in life and contributed significantly to the field of science.

Key Facts on Canada’s Role in Global Affairs:

• Peacekeeping: Canada has a strong tradition of peacekeeping, contributing personnel to United Nations missions around the world.

• United Nations: Canada is a founding member of the UN and has served on the UN Security Council several times.

• International Aid: Canada is a significant contributor to international aid, focusing on programs related to global health, education, and climate change.