Canada topic (0)

Canada

Geography

The geography of Canada is vast and diverse . Occupying most of the northern portion of North America, Canada is the world's second largest country in total area.
The highest point in Canada is Mount Logan 6,050 m, which is in the Yukon . The two principal river systems are the Mackenzie and the St. Lawrence . The St. Lawrence, with its tributaries, is navigable for over 3,058 km.
The largest lake situated entirely in Canada is Great Bear Lake at 31,328 km2 in the Northwest Territories.
The largest lake which is at least partly in Canadian territory is Lake Superior

Climate

Canada’s climate is as diverse as its landscape . Generally, Canadians enjoy four very distinct seasons, particularly in the more populated regions along the US border. Daytime summer temperatures can rise to 35°C and higher , while lows of -25°C are not uncommon in winter . More moderate temperatures are the norm in spring and fall .
Summers can be hot and dry on the prairies , humid in central Canada, and milder on the coasts. Spring is generally pleasant across the country. Autumns are often crisp and cool, but brightened by rich orange and red leaves on trees.
Winters are generally cold with periods of snow , although southern Alberta enjoys the occasional "Chinook", a warm dry wind from the Rocky Mountains that gusts through and melts the snow. Winters are mild and wet on the west coast, in cities such as Vancouver and Victoria.

Territories and provinces

Canada consists of 3 territories and 10 provinces. Very few people live in the territories, but it has more power on deciding important questions . Newest territoy is Nunawut, it became a territory in 1999. It was created from the eastern part od North- West territories.
Quebec and Ontario are the biggest provinces. In the central part of Canada there are prairies and agriculture is very common. Alberta is rich in natural resources such as oil and natural gas. In Quebec and Ontario are many manufactories and industries. In the west there is maritime climate and so they fish and ship there.
Toronto is the biggest city in Canada, with a population of 5,1 million people. It is followed by Montreal with 3,9, Vancouver, Ottawa (which is the capital of Canada) 800 000 and Quebec with 700 000.

Government

Canada is a federation of ten provinces (Alberta, British Columbia , Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador , Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island , Quebec, and Saskatchewan) and three territories (Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Nunavut ). Formally considered a constitutional monarchy, Canada is governed by its own House of Commons. While the governor-general is officially the representative of Queen Elizabeth II, in reality the governor-general acts only on the advice of the Canadian prime minister.
Canada is an independent, self- governing nation. However , Canadians recognize Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain as Queen of Canada. The position symbolizes the country’s strong ties to Great Britain, which ruled Canada completely until 1867. Canada and the United States have had a relationship of cooperation and friendship since the 1800’s.
In Canada a federal form of government is combined with a cabinet system.
As a federation, Canada is made up of ten provinces and three territories. Its national problems are resolved through its central government in Ottawa. Each province has its own government. The territories are self-governing.
The Cabinet system of Canada unites the legislative and executive branches of the Government. The Prime Minister and the members of the Cabinet are usually members of the House of Commons. Sometimes a senator may be in the Cabinet. Ministers are resposible for all their actions to the House, which is elected by the people. The Prime Minister directs the government.
The Parliament is the national legislature of Canada. It has two houses , an upper house called the Senate, and a lower , more powerful house, is called the House of Commons.
The Senate has 104 members. Senators are appointed by the governor generally on Prime Minister’s recommendation . The Speaker is the Senate’s presiding officer. A new Prime Minister generally has an appointment with a new speaker. Senators must retire at the age of 65.
The House of Commons consists of members elected by the people for five -year terms , unless an election is called earlier. The number of members for each province is determined after each Canadian census .
To vote in national elections, a person must be at least 18 years old and a Canadion citizen.
Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain is the Queen of Canada as well. She is the official head of state, but a governor generally acts as her representative. The governor generally performs only certain formal and symbolic tasks.
Canada, a member of Commonwealth of Nations, is an independent, self-governing democracy, equal in rank to Great Britain and all other nations.
Canada has equal rights with the United Kingdom; is loyal to Queen Elizabeth II; has membership in the United Nations; appoints her own ambassadors and other representatives abroad ; makes her own treaties; draws up her own laws ; imposes her own taxes , maintains her own army , navy and air forces.

History

The first inhabitants were the Native Indians, the Inuits. Around 1000 Vikings tried to arrive in Greenland but got lost and ended up in Canada. John Cabot from England, took back word that the sea was full of fish which could be taken not only with a net but in baskets let down into the water. Beaver fur brought Europeans to Canada. In 1608 the first permanent settlement was established , it was called Quebec by Champlain and after that Canada was called New France . During 1689-1763 there was constant fighting and wars between the british and the french . In 1774 the English parliament passed the Quebec Act. It gave the French Canadians complete religious freedom and restored the French form of civil law.
The Canada’s were merged into a single colony United Province of Canada by the Act of Union in 1840. In 1867 the Dominion of Canada was created - an independent country within the British Empire consisting of 4 provinces: Ontario, New Brunswick, Quebec and Nova Scotia, with the monarch represented in Canada by governor-general Canada took part in WWI because it was under the rule of British empire. Canada also took parti in WWII, because the government made it’s own decision .
Economy
Most of Canada's manufacturing industry is in Ontario and Québec, where motor vehicle production comprises the largest sector within this industry. Other important manufacturing sectors include food and beverages , paper and allied products , primary metals , fabricated metals, petrochemicals and chemicals .
The Atlantic , Prairie and Pacific regions of Canada have more natural resource -based economies . The Atlantic provinces focus on fishing, forestry and mining , while Prairie provinces are dependent on agriculture and mineral fuels. British Columbia's primary sectors are forestry and mining, as well as tourism .
Major Exports: automobile vehicles and parts, machinery and equipment , high- technology products, oil, natural gas, metals, and forest and farm products.
Major Imports: machinery and industrial equipment including communications and electronic equipment, vehicles and automobile parts, industrial materials ( metal ores, iron and steel , precious metals, chemicals, plastics , cotton, wool and other textiles), along with manufactured products and food.

Sports

Canada's official national sports are ice hockey and lacrosse . Ice Hockey is the most popular winter sport in Canada and it has one of the best ice hockey team in the world. Lacrosse is the most popular summer sport. Basketball, soccer, curling , baseball and golf are also widely played in Canada.

Education

Education is a provincial responsibility under the Canadian constitution, which means there are significant differences between the education systems of the different provinces. However, education is important to Canadians, and standards across the country are uniformly high.
In general, Canadian children attend kindergarten for one or two years at the age of four or five on a voluntary basis. All children begin Grade One at about six years of age. The school year normally runs from September through the following June but in some instances, January intake dates are possible. Secondary schools go up to Grades 11 or 12, depending on the province. From there, students may attend university , college or Cégep studies . Cégep is a French acronym for College of General and Vocational Education, and is two years of general or three years of technical education between high school and university. The province of Québec has the Cégep system.

Holidays

Canada Day is celebrated on the 1st July . It is the national day of Canada, which celebrates Canada’s 1867. Confederation and establisment on dominion sates. The first Canada Day was on July 1st, 1867. It used to be called Dominion Day In newfoundland and Labrador observed as Memorial Day. Most communities across the country will host organized celebrations for Canada Day, usually outdoor events , such as parades, carnivals, festivals , barbeques, air and maritime shows, fireworks and free musical concerts.
Remembrance Day- November 11th
Thousands of soldiers that died in World War I were mostly buried in Belgium's Flanders Fields. World War I ended on exactly 11:00 AM on November 11th, 1918- the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. Remembrance Day is also known as Armistice Day. Remembrance Day is a remembrance day for the soldiers the died in World War I and II.
Victoria Day- the Monday before May 24th.
This holiday was celebrated since 1952. It is also known as Queen Victoria's birthday . Queen Victoria was Queen for so long that her birthday has become a holiday! Canadians also honor Queen Elizabeth II on this day, but her birthday isn't until April 12th.

Symbols

Canada's "official" flag is still technically the Union Jack, which is also the flag of Great Britain. Even though Canada is an independent country, the Jack still has official status because our government still operates under the British monarchy, and the flag is a symbol of the Crown . In the old days the Union Jack was a very common symbol of Canada, but these days you'll only occasionally see it flown at certain government buildings, such as court houses or city halls . The national flag is far more common, and except in certain circumstances, takes precedence over the official one. On the flag is a 11 pointed red maple leaf.
The Arms of Canada consists of the shield , 3 royal lions and three maple leaves.
The Beaver is Canada's official national animal . This is because in the old days when Canada was owned by a large fur trading company beaver pelts were Canada's primary export to the world. The Moose is another popular Canadian animal. National tree is maple three and floral emblem is maple leaf. National colours are red and white. National athem is „O Canada“-