Canada is the world's second-largest country by total area, occupying most of northern North America. Extending from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, Canada shares land borders with the United States to the south and to the northwest.
Inhabited first by aboriginal peoples, Canada was founded as a union of British colonies (some of which were formerly French colonies). Canada gained independence from the United Kingdom in an incremental process that began in 1867 and ended in 1982; it remains a Commonwealth Realm.
Canada is a federal constitutional monarchy with parliamentary democracy. Comprising ten provinces and three territories, Canada is a bilingual and multicultural country, with both English and French as official languages at the federal level. A technologically advanced and industrialized nation, Canada maintains a diversified economy that is heavily reliant upon its abundant natural resources and upon trade — particularly with the United States, with which Canada has had a long and complex relationship.
Canada, as a rich Western country, has both a large domestic and foreign tourist industry. Canada is known for its large, majestic landscapes and several record-holding landmarks. Some of the major attractions of the country include its cities but it is probably better known worldwide for its extensive, lightly populated or unpopulated areas of wilderness and some spectacular natural sights. As such tourism in Canada can be a rich experience.
Canada's provinces and territoriesBritish Columbia is Canada's westernmost province, along the Pacific Ocean. The winters are relatively warm here compared to the rest of Canada. Skiing is popular within the province. Vancouver is a very multi-cultural city, with about 40% of the population of Asian origin [citation needed]. One can enjoy a diversity of cultures and cuisines in numerous restaurants (Italian, Greek, Chinese, East Indian, French, Japanese, Vietnamese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Malaysian, Thai, Filipino, etc.). Being a harbour city Vancouver enjoys beautiful landscapes of mountains and ocean. Suggested sites and activities:
• Royal BC Museum, Victoria • Skiing and Snowboarding, Whistler • Fishing, Queen Charlotte Islands • Stanley Park, Vancouver • Gastown, Vancouver • Celebration of Light, an international fireworks competition • TELUS World of Science, Vancouver
You can also enjoy whale watching in many locations. Wine tours also are an attraction in the Fraser Valley, British Columbia and Okanagan Valley, British Columbia. British Columbia is also a popular location for many of Hollywood's filming locations.
The Vancouver Canucks is the National Hockey League team in the province. Some celebrities from British Columbia are Pamela Anderson, Michael J. Fox, Bryan Adams, David Foster, Steve Nash, Nelly Furtado, Diana Krall, Michael Buble, and Joni Mitchell.
Alberta is a province in Canada's western prairies next to the Rocky Mountains. Its two major cities are Calgary and Edmonton, the provincial capital. Edmonton is well-known for West Edmonton Mall, until recently the largest mall in the world. Another world-class attraction is the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology in Drumheller, housing the largest collection of dinosaur fossils under one roof in the world. Alberta also contains stunning scenery, including 5 of Canada's 13 UNESCO World heritage sites. These are Banff and Jasper National Parks, Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, Wood Buffalo National Park, Dinosaur Provincial Park and Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump. Alberta has no provincial sales tax.
Saskatchewan's wheat fields and elevators are in every calendar about Canada, but there is much more to this humble province. We have two major cities, Regina and Saskatoon. We have the most golf courses and water bodies per capita than most provinces. Statistically the warmest summers with the most sunlight hours in Canada. The south: Fort Walsh and Cypress Provincial park left untouched by the glaciers, the Great Sand Hills a geological wonder, Scottie the Dinasour the biggest intact Tyranasorus Rex found in North America, Moose Jaws Al Capone tunnels and The Mineral Spa, Cowboy Rodeos and Trailcamps, The Landing Fishing Derby.
To the North:Trees and wildlife, the "best" camp grounds and clearest lakes. Waskesui National Park - the best kept secret. - T. Wall
A visit to Canada would not be complete without visiting a Manitoba Social. A social is essencially a large party, held in a hall with a DJ playing 80s and 90s hits as well some new hits, cheap drinks, dancing and free food is served. Entry into a social is cheap (usually $10 CAN) and these events are held throughout the year for various reasons, but are mostly a form a fundraising for weddings or charities.
In Manitoba, sports fans can see the American Hockey League's Manitoba Moose or the Winnipeg Blue Bombers play. See the Assiniboia Downs for live horse racing.
• Le Musée de Saint-Boniface is the oldest building in Manitoba, built in the mid-1800s as a hospital • Louis Riel statue near the Manitoba legislative building. See a figure of Manitoba's leadership.
• Churchill is a popular attraction due to the large polar bear population.Ontario, the most populated province in Canada, is also home to the nation's capital, Ottawa. In addition, Ontario contains Canada's largest city, Toronto, which is the provincial capital and one of the most multicultural cities in the world. Toronto embraces Lake Ontario. Toronto's CN Tower overlooks the harbour. The forests and numerous lakes of Central Ontario and Northern Ontario also provide popular hiking and camping destinations. Other sites of interest:
• Parliament Hill • Queen's Park • Royal Ontario Museum • Ontario Science Centre • Yonge Street • Rogers Centre (formerly SkyDome) • Air Canada Centre • Corel Centre • Science North and Dynamic Earth in Greater Sudbury, Ontario • Niagara Falls
Quebec, a majority francophone province is a major tourist draw. Quebec City is a taste of old France in the new world. Montreal, the second largest francophone city in the world, boasts several tourist attractions, including:
• Olympic Stadium • Montreal Opera • Juste pour rire • Redpath Museum • Canyon Sainte-Anne Montreal is home to the • Montreal Alouettes, Canadian Football League • Montreal Canadiens, National Hockey League
The main tourist attraction of New Brunswick is Saint John, which is at the mouth of the St. John river. Whale watching and the Confederation Bridge to Prince Edward Island are also draws.
Prince Edward Island (PEI) is the birthplace of Lucy Maude Montgomery's character, Anne of Green Gables, and a recreation of her literary home serves as a museum to the character. PEI is also famous the world round for its potato farms and rich red mud beaches.
Newfoundland and Labrador attracts many tourists because of its icebergs and fjords. It was settled by Leif Ericsson, an Icelandic sailor, in 1000 A.D.
Nova Scotia is known for its lovely scenery; most renowned is the Cape Breton Highlands. The historic 18th century Fortress Louisbourg is also a major draw [1]. Halifax, the provincial capital, has several major attractions, such as the Pier 21 museum, Citadel Hill, and the Public Gardens. The Halifax Metro Centre is home to numerous events both sport-related and otherwise, such as the Nova Scotia International Tattoo. Downtown Halifax is considered the prime tourism district in Halifax, with most historic attractions located here as well as the waterfront harbourwalk, a continuous 3km stretch of boardwalk home to street vendors, entertainers, the Casino Nova Scotia, and the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. Downtown Halifax is also the location of several major hotels.
With its history of the Klondike Gold Rush, First Nations culture and spectacular wilderness, the Yukon Territory has an extensive tourism industry, welcoming over 300,000 visitors a year. Tourist attractions include the gold rush town of Dawson City, Kluane National Park and Reserve and a number of attraction in Whitehorse and other communities. Opportunities for wilderness adventure tourism and ecotourism abound (hiking, canoeing, kayaking, skiing, dog-sledding), but the territory is also served by a well-developed road network, with most places accessible by road.
Nunavut is probably the most expensive of all the tourist destinations in Canada. Attractions in Nunavut include:
• Auyuittuq National Park • Quttinirpaaq National Park • Sirmilik National Park • Ukkusiksalik National Park • frolicking