Our Home and Native Land

Blessed with ancient forests, rugged mountains and large cosmopolitan cities, Canada is unimaginably vast, stretching at the tip of the American Continent - west from the Atlantic to the Pacific and north to the Artic Ocean - with a coastline over 243,800 km (151,400 miles) long. With a surface area of nearly 10 millions square kilometres (over 3.8 millions square miles) – including more than 2 million lakes! - Canada is the second largest country in the world, covering an area almost as big as Europe. It is well known for the impressive diversity of its interior landscapes: from the frozen, barren north (the Innuitian plateau) that descends to the mountainous west (Rockies) with its forest and wheat plains (Prairies), through the wooded, hilly east (Canadian Shield and Appalachians) to the flat, fertile lowlands of the southeast (Great Lakes). With over 40 percent of the land north of the tree line at 60o latitude, it is not surprising that 80% of Canadians have chosen to establish their home within 200 kilometres (124 miles) of the US border.

Canada has developed a geography and climate that remains one of the most diverse on Earth. In the north, the Artic weather produces a harsh, barren desert in darkness for several months and frozen most of the year. By contrast, the country’s most southerly province, Ontario, shares a latitude with northern California and BC’s interior is home to a desert-like, hot micro-climate. Vancouver and Victoria enjoy a mild climate all year long, while Toronto and Montréal know snowy and cold winters (great for winter outdoor activities) and hot summers. Consequently, Canada’s wildlife and fauna is abundant and varied. From the tundra, where caribou and polar bears wander… To the maple forests of the East, spectacular in the fall, where moose, wolves and black bears live… Through the rain forests of the Pacific Coast, home to eagles, salmon and whales… Up in the alpine settings of the Rockies, favourite residence of the grizzly bears, lynxs and deer… And to the warm waters and spectacular beaches of New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, rich with lobster!

Not born yesterday

Although Canada is thought of as a new country, its history dates back to 20,000 years to the end of the first Ice Age, when Siberian hunter nomads crossed the then-existing land bridge from Siberia to Alaska and gradually moved south. In the East, Vikings from Iceland first reached the coasts of Labrador and Newfoundland in AD. 986, but the first explorer to claim the land in 1497 was the Italian navigator John Cabot (1450-98) in the name of King Henry VII of England. French explorer Jacques Cartier (1491-1557) made his first voyage to Canada in 1534, reaching Labrador, Newfoundland and the Gulf of St-Lawrence, where he sailed up to what is now Québec City and Montréal. However, not before Samuel de Champlain (1567-1635), another Frenchman, started a tiny French colony in 1608 in Quebec City, did Europeans really settle in Canada. The new colony mainly relied on the fur trade (the Hudson’s Bay Company was founded in 1670) and learned how to survive the harsh environment, particularly in winter, with the help of the Native Indians. By the middle of the 18th century, the colony was a thriving society, the object of a bitter battle in the war opposing its two founding nations, France and the British Empire.

After Britain took over New France in 1763, it took another century before the self-governing colonies of British North America came together as the Dominion of Canada in 1867. Meanwhile, the colonization of the West was marked by the development of the Transcontinental railroad in 1886 and of the North by the Klondike Gold Rush of 1898, which both helped to bring new immigrants to the country. Newfoundland did not become part of the nation until 1949 and Nunavut, a semi-autonomous Inuit homeland in the Eastern Artic, was officially created in April 1999. Today Canada is a parliamentary democracy with a federal political system, including 10 provinces and 3 territories. Although the Prime Minister governs the country, the nominal head of state is still the British Monarch, currently Queen Elizabeth II.

Canadian, eh?

Native Canadians, belonging to 608 First Nations Groups, or bands, account for approximately one million people and are broken into three subsections: aboriginals, métis (Ameridian & French mixed race) and Inuit. 60% of Native Canadians still live on reserve land and promote self-government and the preservation of traditional native culture.

Canada’s reputation as a multicultural, tolerant society began in the 19th century when successive waves of immigration, along with various settlement plans brought people from all over the world to Canada’s cities and rural areas. In contrast to the US’s “melting pot”, Canada has opted for what is often called the “Canadian mosaic”, a model based on accepting diversity rather than assimilation. Today, perhaps the best way to experience modern Canada’s vibrant cultural mix is to visit its three largest cities, Toronto, Montréal and Vancouver.

However, Canada’s history is reflected in its main population, about 24 percent of which is French Canadian, predominantly the descendants of French settlers who came to the colony of New France in the 17th and 18th century. Their English-speaking compatriots are largely descended from 18th and 19th century British immigrants. Both of these groups make up the bulk of Canada’s population of 30 million (and English and French are both joint official languages, except in Nunavut), but there are around 60 significant minorities, including German Canadians, Ukrainian Canadians, Italian Canadians, and Chinese Canadians.

Love, from Canada

Canada’s natural and cultural diversity makes it a never-ending source of great travel experiences. The West (British Columbia, Alberta) is popular with visitors for the rugged beauty of its landscapes, its wildlife and its relaxed way of life. Eastern Canada (Ontario, Québec) vibrates with history, art and entertainment; its French Heritage makes it one of the most romantic and exotic destinations in the country. Atlantic Canada New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland/Labrador proudly displays its natural and cultural maritime heritage.