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Canada's strength lies in its difference.
Those expecting Canada to be a blander version of the USA should check their assumptions at the door. Canada's wild northern frontier, which has etched itself into the national psyche, and its distinct patchwork of peoples have created a country that is decidedly different from its brash neighbour.
It's the edginess between Canada's indigenous, French and British traditions that gives the nation its complex three-dimensional character. Add to this a constant infusion of US culture and a plethora of traditions brought by migrants, and you have a thriving multicultural society. |
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'We went from being boring little Canada to a sexy country of sin overnight. We are not used to being trendy or hip.' |
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- Douglas Coupland, writer. |
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Capital City: Ottawa |
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People: British descent, French descent, Italian descent, aboriginal peoples, plus significant minorities of Irish, German, Ukrainian, Dutch, Greek, Polish and Chinese descent |
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Languages: Official: English, French |
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English and French are the country's two official languages, though the province of New Brunswick is the only officially bilingual area in the country. You will, however, notice both languages on maps, tourist brochures and product labels.
The French spoken in the province of Québec has a rich local vocabulary, its own idioms and sayings and a range of accents. If you speak standard French, Québecers will have no problem understanding you.
Also note that within the province of Québec, French is legally the only official language and, outside of tourist areas, English is not widely spoken. |
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Religion:Catholic (45%), Protestant (36%) and minorities from most of the world's major religions |
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Weights & Measures: Metric |
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Government: |
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Type: Constitutional Monarchy
Head of Government: Prime Minister - Stephen Harper
Head of State: Governor General - Michaëlle Jean (representing Queen Elizabeth II) |
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Currency: |
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Name: Canadian Dollar
Symbol: C$
Code: CAD
Unit: Canadian dollar |
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History: |
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Canada is a country of close to 33 million inhabitants that occupies the northern portion of the North American continent, and is the world's second largest country in area.[1] Inhabited for millennia by First Nations (aboriginal), Canada has evolved from a group of European colonies into an officially bilingual (English and French), multicultural federation, having peacefully obtained sovereignty from its last colonial possessor, the United Kingdom. France sent the first large group of settlers in the 17th century, but Canada came to be dominated by the British until the country attained full independence in the 20th century. Its history has been affected by its inhabitants, its geography, and its relations with the outside world. |
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