CANADA FACTS YOU WANT TO KNOW
How Canada Got Its Name
Canada means “village” and comes from the Iroquois word “Kanata.” It has been in use since the earliest European settlement in Canada.
Geographic Canada Facts
- Canada is the second-largest country in the world, behind Russia.
- Canada has ten provinces and three territories.
- Ottawa is the Capital of Canada
- 81 % of the Canadian population lives in cities (based on 2013)
- Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, and Ottawa each have a population of over 1 million.
- Canada has the longest coastline of any country in the world.
- Canada has six time zones.
- The Trans-Canada Highway is over 7,604 km in length and is the longest highway in the world.
- Montreal is the world’s second-largest French-speaking city after Paris.
- Almost half of Canada’s population were born in other countries.
- Canada has the fourth lowest population density in the world with three people per square km.
- Canada has more lakes than any other country in the world.
- Great Bear Lake and Great Slave Lake in the Northwest Territories are two of the world largest lakes.
- The Athabasca Sand Dunes in the Athabasca Provincial Park of northwest Saskatchewan are the most northerly sand dunes in the world.
- The largest non-polar ice field in the world can be found in the St. Elias Mountains, Yukon.
- Mount Logan in the Yukon is Canada’s highest mountain at 5959
- Wasaga Beach in Ontario is the longest freshwater beach in the world.
- Alert, in the Nunavut Territory, is the northernmost settlement in the world, 817 km from the North Pole.
- The coldest temperature ever recorded in Canada was -63C on February 3, 1957, in Snag, Yukon.
- The border between Canada and the United States is officially known as the International Boundary and is the world’s longest unprotected border.
- Manitoulin Island on Lake Huron, Ontario is the largest freshwater lake island in the world.
- Three of Canada’s islands make the top ten for size in the world – Baffin, Ellesmere, and Victoria.
Maple Syrup and Birch Syrup
- Is there anything more Canadian than maple syrup? The skill of collecting and processing the sweet sap of the sugar maple was already known by the native people of eastern North America, long before the arrival of European settlers.
- Make sure you try pure maple syrup with your pancakes instead of the corn syrup which is often used as a cheap replacement.
- In northern British Columbia and Ontario, you will also find Birch Syrup, which is more rare and has a different, but delicious taste.
Macaroni and Cheese (KD)
There is no other packaged food in Canada better known then our orange flavoured Kraft Dinner. We even have a nickname for the favourite pasta and cheese dish; every Canadian child and teenager knows KD. Kraft Macaroni and cheese is somewhat of a Canadian national dish under children and young adults.
We eat French Fries covered with Gravy
All Canadians know that the real, authentic poutine comes from the province of Quebec. However, you can get different versions of it all across the country. It is a dish made up of French fries, fresh cheese curds, and brown gravy. Yum!
Animals Are Wild
While exploring Canada’s wilderness there is a big chance that you will come across wild animals. We have black bears, grizzly bears, polar bears, elk, moose, cougars, bobcats and much more.
Wild animals are beautiful and incredible to see, but they are also extremely dangerous! Act responsibly when you see a wild animal and stay in the car when you come across one while driving.
Before hiking in the wilderness, learn Canada facts regarding wildlife safety and what to do if you encounter a wild animal.
Santa Claus is Canadian
Santa’s home at the North Pole lies in a disputed area between a few countries claiming the North Pole. But who cares, Santa Claus is Canadian, according to the immigration minister.
Every year, Canada’s post office receives millions of letters addressed to “Santa Claus, North Pole” and Santa responds to every one of them. How cool is that!