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Quick Facts

Capital city: Ottawa Population: Over 38 million people (2022) Official languages: English and French Currency: Canadian Dollar Religion: Mainly Christian

Arctic Ocean

USA

Atlantic Ocean

Canada

Pacific Ocean

Ottawa

USA

Flag

Where Is Canada?

Canada is a country on the continent of North America. It has sea borders with the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Arctic Ocean to the north. Canada has a land border with the United States of America in the south and the north-west. In total, this land border is the longest in the world.

Physical Features

Canada is the second largest country in the world. It is so big that it spans six time zones. In such a large country, it is not surprising that there are many different landscapes, such as forests, prairies, mountains, blue rivers and lakes.

In the far north of Canada, there is ice, snow and glaciers.

There are many waterfalls in Canada, including Della Falls, which is the highest at 440 metres (1,444 ft). Niagara Falls is one of North America’s most famous waterfalls. It can be found on the border between Canada and the United States of America.

Niagra Falls

Lakes and Mountains

Canada is well-known for its lakes and mountains. Great Bear Lake is the largest lake entirely within the country. Lake Superior, which is the largest lake in North America, is shared by both Canada and the United States of America.

There are many mountain ranges in Canada, including the Canadian Rockies, the Saint Elias Mountains, the Coast Mountains and the Laurentian Mountains. Canada’s highest mountain is Mount Logan, which is 5959 metres (19,551ft) high and is in the Saint Elias mountains.

Canadian Rockies

What Is the Weather Like?

As Canada is such a vast country, the weather and climate can differ greatly from one area to the next.

In the north of Canada, winters are very cold and the summer is cool. The summer season tends to be very short.

Central and southern parts of Canada have cold winters and warm or hot summers.

Many of Canada’s cities have different climates. Some, like Montreal, are hot in the summer and have lots of snow in the winter. Others, such as Vancouver, do not get as hot in summer, hardly have any snow in winter and have much more rain.

Wildlife in Canada

Canada is the world’s second biggest country. However, it has a low human population, which means there is a lot of space for its wildlife.

Canadians strive to protect their wildlife and the country has many national parks, including several marine conservation areas.

The Canadian Prairies, found in the southern area of the country, are made up of grassland, forests and farmland. Animals found here include deer, coyotes, prairie dogs, American bison and pronghorn antelope.

Coyote

Pronghorn antelope

Wildlife in Canada

In the north of Canada, there are large forests which are home to many animals. These include black bears, wolves, moose, mountain lions (cougars) and beavers. In the far north, where it is cold and bare, reindeer and musk ox roam.

Black bear

Moose

Food Facts

Most Canadian people eat a mainly western diet, which is influenced by American and European cuisine. They commonly eat three meals a day: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Canada is one of the main cheese-producing countries in the world.

The canola flower (often called rapeseed) is grown all over the prairies. It is made into oil, which is used in cooking and to fry food.

A popular delicacy in Canada is lobster, which is caught in the Atlantic Ocean.

Poutine is a Canadian dish of french fries and cheese curds. It is topped with brown gravy.

Tourtière is a Canadian-French savoury pie, usually made with ground meat and spices.

Celebrations in Canada

Christmas in Canada is celebrated on 25th December, as in many other western countries. Many people take time off on Christmas Eve (24th December) and on Boxing Day (26th December).

Other Christian festivals, such as Easter, are celebrated throughout the year.

Canada is a multicultural society. Various celebrations are observed throughout the year, such as the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.

Canada Day is the national day of Canada. It is celebrated each year on the 1st July to remember when the country was formed in 1867. Canadians celebrate by having parades, fireworks and food.

Did You Know…?

• Inuit live in the far northern Arctic areas of Canada. They are indigenous to Canada as well as other places in the world, such as Greenland and Alaska.

• Canada is a popular tourist destination.

• Famous people from Canada include singer and songwriter Shawn Mendes and singer Justin Bieber.

• Canada’s national animals are the beaver and the Canadian horse.

Quick Quiz

1. In which continent is Canada located?
2. Which country borders Canada?
3. What is the capital city of Canada?
4. What are the official languages of Canada?
5. How many people live in Canada?
6. What Canadian dish is topped with brown gravy?
7. What is the highest waterfall in Canada called?
8. How high is Mount Logan?
9. What are the two national animals of Canada?

Name somewhere you would like to visit in Canada. Explain why.

Quick Quiz Answers

1. In which continent is Canada located? North America
2. Which country borders Canada? The United States of America
3. What is the capital city of Canada? Ottawa
4. What are the official languages of Canada? English and French
5. How many people live in Canada? Over 38 million
6. What Canadian dish is topped with brown gravy? Poutine
7. What is the highest waterfall in Canada called? Della Falls
8. How high is Mount Logan? 5959 metres (19,551ft) high
9. What are the two national animals of Canada? The beaver and the Canadian horse