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Canada is the world’s second largest country after
Russia. It is simply enormous, measuring almost 4 million square miles,
or nearly 10 million square kilometres in area and has more lakes and
inland waters than any other country.
Some of the lakes are so huge that you can stand on the shore
and imagine you are standing at the edge of an ocean. The provinces are so
vast that it can take over 24 hours to drive from one border to the next.
And all this space is home to around 32 million people, little more than
half the population of the United Kingdom. Most are concentrated within 160
km of the US border.
Canada is renowned for its stunning scenery, which attracts millions of
visitors every year. Landscapes with vast plains, towering peaks and great
glaciers, bordered by vast oceans to the west, north and east. A big country
and home to big animals: grizzly bears, moose, polar bears and humpback
whales. A paradise for photographers.
Canada was inhabited by various groups of aboriginal people for thousands of
years before the British and French began to settle the country in the late
15th century. It is now a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional
monarchy with Queen Elisabeth II as its head of state. |
Canada has two official languages: English and French. Approximately 58% of
people speak English only, 22% French only, 17% speak both and the remaining
3% speak various aboriginal languages. Quebec has a strong French-speaking
identity and distinguishes its culture from the English Canadian culture.
Canada is one of the world’s wealthiest nations and one of the top ten
trading nations. The major importers of Canadian goods are the USA, UK and
Japan. The country’s natural resources, such as oil and timber, provide its
inhabitants with an enviable standard of living. |
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