Canada

History of Canada Native Americans were the first inhabitants of Canada The first Europeans to sail to Canada’s eastern shores were the Vikings – Visited between A.D until the late mid-1300s More extensive exploration by Europeans (mainly the English and French) began in 1497 The French had 3 main goals while in Canada – Wanted to find a northwest water passage across North America to Asia – Take advantage of nearby fishing waters and develop a trade for animal furs from North America – Wanted to convert Canadian Indians to Roman Catholicism

1608 – French established permanent settlement around present day Quebec City on the St. Lawrence River, resulting in many French settlers farming along the river and in nearby Nova Scotia 1713 – Great Britain took over Nova Scotia and forced many French settlers there to leave 1763 – Britain won control of all of French Canada and organized Canada in to provinces – PROVINCES are governmental districts (similar to states) – Today Canada has 10 provinces and three special territories 1867 – British government created the self- governing Dominion of Canada

Provinces & Territories of Canada

Culture of Canada More than 31 million people live in Canada Canada is a multicultural country – French and British culture are the most dominant cultures in Canada, though the United States also has many influences on Canada’s people The largest religion in Canada is Roman Catholic

The Heartland Provinces Quebec and Ontario are Canada’s most economically developed areas and make up the Heartland Provinces – This section includes most of Canada’s major cities, such as Montreal, Toronto, and Ottawa. – Together all of the cities found here lead the country in wealth, industry, commerce, politics, and influence. About ¼ of all Canadians live in the province of Quebec, which is the center of French-Canadian culture – 90% of the people who live in Quebec speak French as their first language The province of Ontario reflects British heritage – English language is predominantly spoken here Ottawa, Canada’s capital found in Ontario, is bilingual. English and French are commonly spoken in the city.

Less than one twelfth of all Canadians live in the Atlantic Provinces – Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island – These provinces are thinly populated and form Canada’s eastern hinterland Lies far away from major population centers Prairie Provinces – Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta – Southern parts of these provinces were covered with prairie grasslands when Europeans settlers arrived. – Today large farms stretch across these provinces but it still remains thinly populated Pacific Coast Province – British Columbia Forests, tundra, and rocky plains cover Canada’s vast frigid north and most of the land is underlaid by permafrost

Economy of Canada Canada is a highly developed country with a market economy and high standards of living. – Their people choose freely what to buy and sell Its most important trade partner is the U.S. Canada’s economy is based mainly on manufacturing, service industries, and mining. Agriculture also remains important in a few of Canada’s provinces, such as in the Prairie Provinces.

Canada’s Major Cities Toronto is Canada’s largest city – A multicultural metropolitan population with over 5 million people – Home to Canada’s largest stock exchange, major banks, insurance companies, and many other large Canadian companies Montreal is Canada’s second largest city – A population of about 3.5 million Vancouver is western Canada’s most populous city – Has become a major center for movie and television production – Canada’s major ice-free harbor and Canada’s main Pacific Port

Toronto

Quebec City & Montreal

Vancouver

Canada’s Government Britain’s monarch is also Canada’s monarch Canada is a democracy, governed by a prime minister and an elected parliament (legislature) Provincial governments can levy taxes and set policies on issues such as education and civil rights Residents living in the three northern territories control most of their local issues.

Relationship between Canada and the U.S. Both countries share similar history as European colonies English is the main language in the US and most of Canada Both countries have strong economic connections to each other – North American Free Trade Agreement – an agreement between Canada, Mexico, and the US to eliminate tariffs on many products flowing between these three countries Results in increased trade and cooperation between the three countries

Americans seldom think about Canada, but Canadians hear cultural, political, and economic information about the US nearly every day – Due to the population difference between the two countries --- The U.S. is nine times the population of Canada – The majority of Canada’s population lives near the U.S. border In Canada, national unity has been a big debate for decades – French Canadians vs. English Canadians Regionalism – feeling of strong political and emotional loyalty to one’s own region Separatism – the belief that certain parts of a country should be independent

Canada Facts second-largest country in the world Nearly ¼ of all the fresh water in the world is in Canada. animal- the beaver national anthem - "O Canada“ RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) - the national police force French is spoken by about 6 million people. Hockey is the national sport of Canada. The native people of Canada invented the game of lacrosse.