Facts:
Geographic Size: 9,984,670 km2
Population: 35,000,000 Canadians
Currency: Canadian dollar ($/CAD)
Gross Domestic Product (GDP): +$40,000
Average Household Income: +$65,000
Political System: multi-party parliamentary system within a constitutional monarchy
Founding Principle: peace, order, and good government
Motto: "from sea to sea"
The name Canada comes from the St. Lawrence Iroquoian word kanata, meaning "village" or "settlement".
Canada is the world's second largest country by area but its population, at slightly less than that of the state of California, is small by comparison. Canada's largest cities are Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa and Calgary. Even with its small population though, Canada plays a large role in the world's economy and is one of the largest trading partners of the United States.
The Land & Resources
Canada’s industry and land uses vary based on region. The eastern portion of the country is the most industrialized but Vancouver, British Columbia, a major seaport, and Calgary, Alberta are some western cities that are highly industrialized as well. Alberta also produces 75% of Canada’s oil and is important for coal and natural gas.
Canada’s resources include nickel (mainly from Ontario), zinc, potash, uranium, sulphur, asbestos, aluminum and copper. Hydroelectric power and pulp and paper industries are also important. In addition, agriculture and ranching play a significant role in the Prairie Provinces (Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba) and several parts of the rest of the country.
Demographics
Canada has one of the highest per-capita immigration rates in the world, driven by economic policy and family reunification, and is aiming for between 240,000 and 265,000 new permanent residents in 2012, a similar number of immigrants as in recent years. In 2010, a record 280,636 people immigrated to Canada. New immigrants settle mostly in major urban areas like Toronto and Vancouver.
Canadian Superlatives
Longest Coastline
Canada's coastline is the world's longest at 243,792 km or 151,485 miles (including the coastline of the country's 52,455 islands.)
Longest Undefended and Open Border
The 8,893 km (5,526 miles) border between the U.S. and Canada, which includes 2,477 km (1,539 miles) with Alaska, is the world's longest undefended border.
Highest Tides
The tides in Nova Scotia's Bay of Fundy are the highest in the world. The rise and fall is 20 to 40 feet in some places.
Oldest Rocks
The world's oldest rocks have been found near Yellowknife, Northwest Territories and are about 4 billion years old.
Longest National Highway
The Trans-Canada Highway (using the Perth-Peterborough-Parry Sound route) is 7,604 km (4,725 miles), the longest national highway in the world.
Largest Trade Relationship
US – Canada: +$500 billion between both nations (U.S. - Mexico = $ 236 billion/U.S. - Japan = $ 170 billion)