Canada InformationCanada Information

The name Canada comes from an Iroquoi Indian name “kanata” which means village.

CapitalCapital

• Ottawa (Population of Ottawa 1.3m)

Canada’s PopulationCanada’s Population

• 35.2 million (2013)

• Most Canadians live

within about 100 miles of

the US border

Government/Political PartiesGovernment/Political Parties

• Parliament w/2 houses (Senate & House of Commons)

• Chief Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II

Government ContinuedGovernment Continued

• Canada has 10 provinces and 3 territories

Canada’s Leader TodayCanada’s Leader Today

Prime Minister Stephen Harper – Conservative Party (Oct. 2011won 2nd term)

Economy of CanadaEconomy of Canada

• 1. Work: fishing, farming, manufacturing, tourism, forestry

• 2. Canada is the #2 trading partner for USA

• 3.Minerals: nickel, zinc, copper, gold, fossil fuels

Economy ContinuedEconomy Continued

• 4. Hydro electricity

• 5. Very high standard of living

MoneyMoney

• Canadian Dollar:

• $.95 Canadian dollar = $1.00 US Dollar

Land and ClimateLand and Climate

• 1. 2nd largest country land size in the world (Russia is 1st)

• 2. Prairie Provinces: Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba (main crop is wheat!)

Land/Climate continuedLand/Climate continued

• 3. Maritime Provinces: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island

Land/Climate ContinuedLand/Climate Continued

• Climate zones:

Marine West Coast, Sub-arctic, Ice Cap, Humid Continental, Semi-Arid, Highland

ReligionReligion

• Catholic – 42%

• Protestant – 40%

• Eastern Orthodox – 2%

• Jewish – 2%

• Other – 14%

LanguagesLanguages

• 2 Official languages: French & English

English -- 75%

French – 25% (spoken in Quebec & called Quebecois!)

HolidaysHolidays

• Christian Holidays (Christmas, Easter, etc)

• Victoria Day

• Thanksgiving – 2nd Monday in October

• Boxing Day – December 26

• Guy Fawkes Day – 11-4

Sports & RecreationSports & Recreation

• Ice hockey

• Skiing

• Soccer

• Basketball

• Football

• Rodeo

(Calgary Stampede)

FoodsFoods

• Fish and dairy products

• Tea

• Fruits/veggies (short growing season)

• French fries w/gravy (called Poutine)

Ethnic GroupsEthnic Groups

• British – 40%

• French – 27%

• Inuit – 2%

• Other Europeans – 20%

Inuit PicturesInuit Pictures

Current EventsCurrent Events

• 1. trade issues – NAFTA

• 2. Separation of Quebec

• 3. Environmental Issues

• 4. Inuit Indians – Territory of Nanuvat given to Indians

Grand BanksGrand Banks

1. World’s largest fishing

grounds

2. Labrador current

mixes w/ Gulf Stream

produces plankton

for fish to eat

Grand Banks ContinuedGrand Banks Continued

3. Off SE coast of Newfoundland

4. Continental Shelf slowly drops off

Bay of FundyBay of Fundy

1. Separates New Brunswick from Nova

Scotia

2. Has highest tidal

flow in the world

3. Rises/drops 60 ft.

each time tide

changes

Bay of Fundy Cont.Bay of Fundy Cont.

4. Creates 6ft wave each

time tide changes

5. Scientists trying to

create Hydropower

from the tidal

surges

Bay of Fundy PicturesBay of Fundy Pictures

St. Lawrence SeawaySt. Lawrence Seaway

• Located b/t Canada and USA

St. Lawrence SeawaySt. Lawrence Seaway

• Combination of locks/canals 183 mi. long

• Handles US & Canadian trade from May-November

• Seaway freezes the rest of the year

The EndThe End