Overview of Canada

Profile

Encompassing diverse natural environments from the Rocky Mountains to the Great Lakes and Arctic ice seas, it boasts abundant resources and high living standards. A federal constitutional monarchy with well-developed social welfare and multiculturalism policies, accepting immigrants from around the world. Industries span IT, energy, primary resources, and tourism, maintaining an international cooperative approach while having close economic ties with the United States.

Official name: Canada
Common name: Canada
Numeric code: 124
Alpha-3 code: CAN
Alpha-2 code: CA
Population: 39.3 million (2023)
Population density: 4.2
Primary languages: English, French
Major religions: Christianity, No religion, Islam
National anthem: O Canada
Calling code: +1
Internet TLD: .ca

History

Four colonies united to form the Dominion of Canada in 1867, gained legislative independence with the 1931 Westminster Statute, and achieved full sovereignty with constitutional establishment in 1982.

After Indigenous habitation, France and Britain colonized the region in the 16th-18th centuries, becoming British territory in 1763. Railway development and western expansion in the late 19th century led to successive provincial additions and territorial consolidation. Through two world wars, it strengthened its position as a sovereign nation on the international stage, and since the 1960s has constitutionally guaranteed bilingualism and multiculturalism. While facing diverse challenges including the Quebec independence movement and Indigenous rights restoration, it has developed a liberal social model.

Geography & climate

Rocky Mountains in west, prairie plains in center, Great Lakes and St. Lawrence lowlands in east, tundra and Arctic islands in north.

Mainly subarctic and polar, Pacific coast is oceanic, southern interior is humid continental

Area: North America / 9984670 km²
Capital: Ottawa
Largest city: Toronto
Coastal status: Yes
Major lakes: Lake Superior, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, Lake Winnipeg, Great Bear Lake
Bordering countries: United States, Denmark (Greenland)

Natural resources

Oil sands petroleum, Natural gas, Uranium, Nickel, Potash, Timber, Hydropower, Gold, Diamonds, Freshwater, Wind power, Copper, Silver, Coal, Fish stocks

Politics

Government: Constitutional monarchy and federal parliamentary system

Economy

Currency: Canadian Dollar (CAD)

GDP (nominal): 2.12 trillion US dollars (2023)

GDP (PPP): 2.48 trillion international dollars (2023)

Language & timezone

Primary languages: English, French

Time zone: Pacific Standard Time, Mountain Standard Time, Central Standard Time, Eastern Standard Time, Atlantic Standard Time, Newfoundland Standard Time

Culture & customs

Ethnic groups

English, French, Scottish, Irish, German, Chinese, Italian, Indian, Ukrainian, Indigenous peoples

Life expectancy

82.9 years

Literacy rate

99%

National sports

Ice hockey, Lacrosse, Canadian football, Curling, Soccer