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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, but has a low population density, with approximately 31 million inhabitants (Canadians). Canada is modern and technologically advanced country, it is energy self-sufficient and often mistaken for being one of the few developed countries with an economy having a heavy reliance on its abundance of natural resources. The name Canada originated from a Huron-Iroquoian word, Kanata meaning "village", referring to Stadacona, a settlement on the site of present-day Quebec City. In practice, the country's official name is simply Canada. It has been argued that the country's official name still is The Dominion of Canada, as the British North America Act, section 3, created "one Dominion under the name of Canada;" and while the 1982 Canadian Constitution does not use the term, neither does it amend the earlier usage. However, starting in the 1950s the federal government began to gradually 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. National motto: A Mari Usque Ad Mare (From sea to sea) Official languages French and English Capital Ottawa Queen Elizabeth II Governor-General Adrienne Clarkson Prime minister Jean ChrŽtien History Area Ranked 2nd Ę- Total 9,984,670 Ę- % water km² 8.62% Canada, which has been inhabited by Population Ranked 35th natives including the First Nations Ę- Total (2001) 31,081,900 and the Inuit for about 10,000 years, Ę- Density 3/km² was first visited by Europeans around 1000, when the Vikings briefly had a British North settlement. More permanent European Independence America Act visits came in the 16th and 17th July 1, 1867 century, as the French settled here. Currency Canadian dollar ($) They traded much of their lands with the British in 1763, and after the Time zone UTC -3.5 to -8 American Revolution, many British National anthem O Canada Loyalists settled in Canada. With the Internet TLD .CA passing of the British North America Act the British government granted the Calling Code 1 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 here: Constitution of Canada. It should be noted that the province of Quebec has refused to sign the Canadian 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 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: Toronto, Ontario; Montreal, Quebec; Vancouver, British Columbia; the capital, Ottawa, Ontario; and Calgary, Alberta. 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% during 1993-2000, but declined in 2001. 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. 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. Holidays Date English Name Local Name Remarks January 1 New Year's New Year's Day, Statutory. Day Jour 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. Victoria Day; Fte Celebration of the Queen's birthday. Statutory. May 24 Victoria Day de la Reine Celebrated on the Monday (Quebec: Fte des Patriotes) following the 24th if it falls on a weekend. Statutory. Commemoration of July 1 Canada Day Canada Day, Fte du Canada's 1867 Canada Confederation. First Monday Labour Day, Fte du in September Labour Day Travail Statutory. Second Statutory. Thanksgiving is Monday in Thanksgiving Thanksgiving, not celebrated on the same October Action de gr‰ce day as it is in the U.S. November 11 Remembrance Remembrance Day, Observance of Canada's war Day Jour du souvenir 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. Links: Canadian Heritage International rankings * worldwide press freedom index Rank 5 out of 139 countries

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