Canada is an immense, boundless nation — the second largest country in the world. Across its provinces and territories, much of the land remains covered by lakes, forests, vast green plains, the Rocky Mountains, and sweeping prairies. From the endless meadows of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, to the forests where silent black bears and the mighty grizzly roam, with its rich flora and 37 national parks, Canada is a land defined by nature.
When you think of this country, images of green landscapes, rugged rock faces, and endless forests come to mind — stretching farther than the eye can see. But the skies crossed by eagles are not the only wonder: Canada is also famous for its modern, cosmopolitan cities.
Ottawa, the capital, blends old-world charm with modern elegance, where colorful wooden houses and boats line streets alongside glass and steel buildings. The city’s historic Rideau Canal cuts through the heart of downtown.
Montreal, a vibrant and youthful city, is home to countless students and cultural events, while the CN Tower in Toronto has become an international symbol of modern Canada. Between its stunning natural parks, rocky slopes, and glittering lakes, Canada will never cease to amaze. In fact, there’s a good chance that where you’re walking, no other human being has ever set foot — that’s how vast and untouched the land remains.
LANGUAGE: Canada is a bilingual country — both English and French are official languages. About 60% of Canadians speak English as their first language, 24% speak French, and several other European languages such as German and Italian are also common. Given its size, many Indigenous languages — including Inuit and First Nations tongues — are still spoken today.
RELIGION: Most Canadians are Roman Catholic (nearly half of the population). There are also large Protestant and small Orthodox communities. About 2% of the population is Muslim.
TIME ZONE: From UTC -3½ to UTC -8, depending on the region.
DOCUMENTS: Visitors must have a valid passport for the entire duration of their stay. Foreign citizens exempt from visa requirements — including Italians — must apply for an electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), similar to the U.S. ESTA, introduced on March 15, 2016. The application is completed online with a valid passport, email address, and credit card. The fee is 7 Canadian dollars and it’s valid for 5 years.
CURRENCY: The official currency is the Canadian Dollar (CAD).
Curiosity
Canada has more lakes than the rest of the world combined.
The Canada–U.S. border is the longest undefended border in the world.
Over half of Canada’s residents hold a university degree.
The coldest temperature ever recorded in Canada was –63°C (–81°F) in 1947.
Canadians eat more macaroni and cheese than any other nation on Earth.
Letters to Santa Claus are addressed to: H0H 0H0, North Pole, Canada.
Our advices
TO READ: “Surfacing” by Margaret Atwood, the story of a woman returning to her childhood home by a lake in Quebec to find her missing father — and instead finding herself.
TO WATCH: “The Great North” by Nicolas Vanier, a documentary that captures the indescribable beauty of the Canadian landscape and explores the deep bond between humans and nature, filmed against the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains.
TO LISTEN TO: Many Canadian artists have made their mark on global music history — Céline Dion, Alanis Morissette, Leonard Cohen, Neil Young, among others. Notable festivals include the TD Ottawa Jazz Festival and Vancouver Music Fest.
TO EAT: What you eat in Canada depends on where you are. In Alberta, you can savor delicious, high-quality meats, while in other regions, fish and seafood dominate the menu. Don’t miss the famous maple syrup, best enjoyed drizzled over warm pancakes.
