10CanadaBV

Symbols of Canada

• Plants: Maple tree

• Animals: Beaver, moose, common loon, grizzly bear, Canadian horse

• Sports: Ice hockey

National Symbols

• Flag of Canada

• National Anthem: "O Canada" (1880 with English version in 1906)

  • Excerpts: "Our home and native land! True patriot love in all thy sons command..."

Basic Facts about Canada

• Official Name: Canada

• Population: 35 million (2016 census)

• Area: ~10 million km² (2nd largest country by landmass)

• Topography:

  • Major regions: Appalachian Highlands, St. Lawrence Lowlands, Canadian Shield, Arctic Archipelago, Great Central Plain, Western Cordilleras

  • Largest water area globally (~900,000 km²); contains 60% of the world's lakes

• Main Rivers: St. Lawrence, Mackenzie

• Highest Point: Mount Logan (5,959m)

• Government Type: Federal Parliamentary democracy

  • Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II

  • Prime Minister: Justin Trudeau (Liberal Party)

  • Capital: Ottawa, Ontario

• Political Divisions: 10 Provinces and 3 Territories

• Languages: Official languages are English and French

Historical Timeline

• ca. 28,000 BC: First peoples arrive via Bering Strait

• 1000 AD: Viking settlement in Newfoundland

• 1497: John Cabot claims territory for England

• 1608: Samuel de Champlain founds Quebec

• 1867: British North America Act establishes the Dominion of Canada

• 1949: Newfoundland joins Confederation

• 1965: National flag (Maple Leaf) adopted

• 1974: French proclaimed as official language in Quebec

• 2005: Legalization of same-sex marriage

Population & Society

• Total Population: ~35 million (2016 census);

• Population Density: 3.5 persons/km² (one of the lowest in the world)

• Multicultural Society: Over 200 ethnic groups; 11 million report "Canadian" ethnicity

• Largest ethnic groups include: English, Scottish, French, Irish, Chinese

• Immigration rate high; over 7.5 million foreign-born citizens

Aboriginal Population

• Total Aboriginal population: 1,673,785

• Three groups:

  • First Nations: 977,230 people

  • Métis: 587,545 people

  • Inuit: 65,025 people

• Historical context: Generally better relations than US, but still issues of land and rights

Culture

• Literature: Prominent authors: Margaret Atwood, Alice Munro (Nobel Prize)

• Art: Group of Seven painters; William Ronald Reid - Aboriginal artist

• Popular Culture: Celebrities include Justin Bieber, Celine Dion, William Shatner