Physical geography

Its immediate neighbours are the US to the south, Alaska on the northwest, Russia across the pole, and in the east, the Danish possession of Greenland. It leads the world in freshwater area, vital to transportation and power generation. The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway system is the principal waterway, navigable for more than 2,000 miles. The Mackenzie River system, which is even longer, flows 2,600 miles through the Northwest Territories down to the Arctic Ocean.

The country falls into six natural divisions, the Appalachian Acadian Region, the St. Lawrence Region the Canadian Shield, the Plains Region of Manitoba Saskatchewan and Alberta, the Cordilleran Region and the Arctic Islands.

The Appalachian/Acadian Region - includes the Atlantic Provinces of Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, together with most of the province of Quebec lying south of the St. Lawrence River. There are numerous rivers in this region and the soil is very fertile for farming, dairying and fruit growing. There are also many natural harbours which have the only all-year ports in eastern Canada. Rich mineral deposits produce nearly half the coal mined in Canada. There is also a vast area set aside for forestry. Newsprint mills situated in this district produce a substantial percentage of the entire Canadian output.

The St. Lawrence Region - lies along the St. Lawrence River in Quebec and includes the part of Ontario lying west of Kingston and embraced by Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, and Lake Huron. This region is largely made up of a level fertile plain with rich soil, making it one of Canada's most important agricultural areas. The Niagara Peninsula within this region enjoys such moderate temperatures it offers excellent conditions for the growth of peaches, cherries, plums, grapes and garden produce.

The Canadian Shield - with Hudson Bay as its centre, is shaped like an inverted horseshoe, and covers nearly half of Canada. The surface of the Canadian Shield is a vast reservoir of forest and waterpower resources, its rocks a store-house of minerals, as yet only partly tapped.

The Interior Plains - this region includes the Western Provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and a large area of Alberta. It is part of a great flat area of the continent which stretches from the Gulf of Mexico to the Arctic Ocean. It extends as far west as the Rocky Mountains and eastward to the edge of the Canadian Shield. It includes a substantial part of the world's wheat supply. The main occupation throughout the prairie regions is farming. The principal mineral resources are petroleum, natural gas and potash. The annual production of crude oil from this district ranks the fields among the most important in the Commonwealth.

The Cordilleran Region - The Cordillera of Western Canada consists of three parallel northwest-trending geological and topographical systems. The Eastern System of western Alberta, eastern British Columbia eastern Yukon, and western Northwest Territories includes the Rocky, Richardson, Franklin and Mackenzie Mountains and foothills, and several intervening plateaux. Comprising the Western System are the Coast Mountains along the west mainland of British Columbia, the St. Elias Mountains in southwest Yukon, the Queen Charlotte Islands and Vancouver Island. The Interior System lies between the Eastern and Western Systems. It contains the plateaux, plains and subdued mountain ranges of the interior of British Columbia and Yukon Territory. The Western Cordillerian Region has a mountain area width about 400 miles and is without a doubt the most rugged district in Canada. Some of the finest fruit growing districts in Canada are found in British Columbia. Much of the region however is too rugged for agriculture. Production of lumber and pulpwood is of marked importance in the economy of this region.

Arctic Islands - run from the northern shore of the mainland in a great triangle with its apex at Ellesmere Island. Some of these islands are of an enormous size. Baffin Island is 197,754 square miles in area, which is nearly half the size of the Province of Ontario. Some deposits of coal and other minerals have been discovered in these Islands, but the economic possibilities have not been thoroughly explored. Since the Arctic Islands are largely situated within the Arctic Circle, the unfavourable climatic conditions have forestalled any serious attempt at commercial development of their mineral resources.

Climate

Economic geography

Fish, fur, forests, farms and factories have been and still are, the main features of Canada's economy. With the west's economic expansion at the beginning of the century, industrial growth in the St. Lawrence basin was stimulated, coal and steel production became an inherent part of Maritime economy, and the nickel-copper deposits at Sudbury, Ontario, were brought into production. Since the Second World War, iron ore and other minerals have opened the north, and oil and natural gas have been found on the Prairies, in the Arctic and off the east coast.

Canada is a highly industrialised country, abundant in mineral resources and agricultural products. The west is primarily concerned with wheat and grain production along with cattle ranching, whereas the eastern half of the country employs itself in mixed farming with the emphasis on vegetable and dairy production to supply the urban centres. A large-scale lumber industry is only too evident on both the east and west coasts. The major minerals are crude oil, nickel, iron ore, copper and zinc. Some of its main industries are pulp and paper, food processing, leather, production of chemical and allied goods, iron and steel, transportation equipment, electrical apparatus, textiles and clothing.

Travel in Canada and the development of tourist facilities have expanded hand-in-hand since the Second World War until tourism has become one of Canada's leading industries.

Demography

A brief history

This agreement gave the British all Upper and Lower Canada except for two Gulf Islands, St. Pierre and Miquelon.

Subsequent decades were marked by immigration, the extension of frontier settlements, two conflicts with the United States and struggles for responsible government. In 1864, came meetings in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island and Quebec city to discuss the suggestion of a federation of provinces.

On 1 July 1867 'one Dominion under the name Canada' was formed, the first provinces to enter into this confederation were Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. The genius of Sir John A Macdonald and Sir George-Etienne Cartier, leaders of English and French factions, held the nation together and gradually other provinces joined: Manitoba in 1870; British Columbia, 1871; Prince Edward Island, 1873; Saskatchewan and Alberta, 1905; Newfoundland, 1949.

In 1917, when Canada would have celebrated its first half century, a world war was in progress, therefore Canadians celebrated the country's 100th birthday in 1967 and all ten provinces and the two territories joined in the celebrations.

Religions

Languages spoken by nationals

Canadians speak either English or French or both - but a visitor to Canada will encounter Chinese, German, Hungarian, Italian, to name a few.

Time

Daylight Saving Time (from the last Sunday in April to last Sunday in October) is, in effect, by law in most provinces. Saskatchewan presents the most complicated picture of any province, although most of the province operates on CST the year round, with other areas using MST. It is usually necessary to refer to individual municipalities to determine whether Daylight Saving Time is adopted there or not.

Money

Official holidays (all offices and shops closed)

What one should not fail to see

Newfoundland: Terra Nova National Park- St. John's Signal Hill (National Historic Park and site of Cabot Tower). Prince Edward Island: Cavendish Beach; Cabot Park; Cape Wolfe Beach (there are many beautiful uncrowded beaches in P.E.I.) most of the National and Provincial Parks are at the beachside; Micmac Indian Village at Rocky Point; also Wild Life Park at Rustico.

Nova Scotia: Fort Anne National Historic Park; Fortress of Louisbourg; Wildlife Park at Shubenacadie; Cape Breton Highlands.

New Brunswick: Fundy National Park (the tide in the Bay of Fundy is the highest in the world); St. Andrews Biological Station (the Fisheries Research Board Station has displays of ocean life)- Martello Tower, located in Saint John.

Quebec: Gaspe Peninsula; the Laurentian Mountains Quebec City; the Citadel, Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre Shrine; Ile d'Orleans; the Basilica; 'Carnival' (French Canada's answer to the Mardi Gras); in Montreal Place Ville Marie (a magnificent shopping concourse); Place des Arts; Expo '67 site, now Man and his World (Terre des Hommes).

Ontario: Ottawa, the capital of Canada, is a beautiful city with its many parks and driveways: Colonel By Western Parkway, the NCC driveway, to name a few, Parliament Buildings, with the ceremony of Changing the Guard taking place at 10:00 a.m. every morning from late June to early September; the Canadian Mint; Place de Ville (a beautiful shopping concourse in town centre; City Hall. Toronto: Dominion Centre (beautiful boutiques and excellent restaurants) Yorkville Village (Toronto's Greenwich Village), O'Keefe Centre for the Performing Arts - Fort York. Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake (Shaw Festival). Georgian Bay Islands. The Thousand Islands. Stratford (Shakespearian Festival).

Manitoba: Lake Winnipeg or Riding Mountain National Park; Assiniboine River Valley- Lower Fort Garry, a National Historical Park 19 miles north of Winnipeg via Highway 9; in Winnipeg, Assiniboine Park and Zoo.

Saskatchewan: Qu'Appelle Valley- Cypress Hills Provincial Park; Assiniboine River Valley- Regina Headquarters of Royal Canadian Mounted Police, also a historic museum in Regina where old adventures of R.C.M.P. are recalled; Saskatchewan Museum of Natural History.

Alberta: Edmonton's Klondike Days (July) - Calgary Stampede (July); Banff National Park (Bow River Valley and Sulphur Springs); Jasper National Park; Lake Louise; Lethbridge's Nikki Yukko Centennial Gardens (beautiful Japanese Garden).

British Columbia: Kootenay National Park (Radium Hot Springs); Vancouver's Stanley Park (with Aquarium containing many live or preserved creatures), also Vancouver's Chinatown; Victoria's Butchart Gardens; Undersea Gardens; Mount Revelstoke; Glacier National Park and Columbia Icefields.

Most favourable seasons for sojourns and touring

How to dress

Canadian summers generally last from May to September. If you are planning a trip to Canada during that time, we would advise bringing light-coloured, lightweight clothes, such as cotton suits, dresses and skirts for the ladies, and lightweight summer suits, sport slacks, shirts and jackets for the men. Summer temperatures range from about 16-27 C in the country, to 21-29C in the city. It is advisable to bring lightweight coats or sweaters as some evenings can be quite cool. The central cities of Canada are usually quite humid during the summer, while the western and coastal cities are warm and dry. We would also advise bringing beachwear and rainwear. Evening wear varies, depending upon where you travel. At some hotels in the larger cities you must 'dress' for dinner, whereas in the country and resort areas, 'casual' attire is the order of the day - slacks, lightweight sweaters, sports jackets. If you are planning to stay at one of our many big hotels during your trip in Canada, ladies should bring a couple of cocktail dresses, and men, a dark suit or two, and perhaps even a dinner jacket. <P>Canadian winters, it seems, have become somewhat of a legend around the world. If you are travelling to Canada from November to March, bring warm clothes: heavy suits and coats, sweaters, gloves and snow boots. If you are going to ski, take slacks and sweaters for the evening. Most of Canada's ski resorts have a very relaxed and casual atmosphere. <P><IMG SRC="../NEWPICS/Strip.gif" WIDTH="532" HEIGHT="3"><H3>Main holiday resorts </H3> The principal vacation areas across Canada are: 1. Newfoundland, Terra Nova National Park. 2 PEI. Prince Edward Island National Park 3. Nova Scotia, Annapolis Valley 4. New Brunswick, Fundy National Park; 5. Quebec, The Laurentians, the Eastern Townships - 6. Ontario, the Muskoka Lakes, The Lake of the Woods (near Manitoba-Ontario border), Georgian Bay; 7. Manitoba, Whiteshell Provincial Park, Riding Mountain National Park; 8. Saskatchewan, Qu'Appelle Valley, 9. Alberta Banff National Park, Lake Louise, Jasper National Park; 10. British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Vancouver Island; 11. Yukon NWT. <P><IMG SRC="../NEWPICS/Strip.gif" WIDTH="532" HEIGHT="3"><H3>Main holiday sports </H3> No matter where you go, you'll find sports facilities that far surpass your expectations. Canadians enjoy golf, tennis, riding, swimming, sailing, fishing and water skiing during the summer; and curling, snow skiing, tobogganing, or snowmobiling (motorised vehicles with skis), skating and badminton during the winter. If you'd rather watch than play, Canadian spectators are blessed with the finest hockey and some of the finest soccer, football, lacrosse, golf and basketball in the world. <P><IMG SRC="../NEWPICS/Strip.gif" WIDTH="532" HEIGHT="3"><H3>What to eat and drink </H3> <H3>Canadian specialities </H3> Atlantic provinces: magnificent sea crab, shrimp, oysters, scallops - Fiddleheads (fronds of the ostrich fern found in New Brunswick) - Restigouche salmon - Port aux Basques Flipper Pie - Digby Scallops - Clam and fish chowder - apples - partridge berries (Nfld. & N.S.). <P>Quebec: French cuisine at its best - Habitant pea soup, onion soup and tourtiere (special pork pie) - sugar pie (Tarte sucree à la creme). Maple syrup pie (Tarte sirop de l'Erable) - Excellent freshwater fish: salmon, pickerel, pike, trout - Cretons - pigs' feet (Ragout de Pattes) - Pate de Fois Gras (hors d'oeuvre) - corn (in season) - fresh fruit in season - Oka cheese (made by the monks). <P>Ontario: Canada's fruit belt - maple sugar - freshwater fish - smelts baked with wine - fresh fruit: cherries, peaches, apples, plums, pears (in season). Cheeses: cheddar, cream. Western Canada: Beef and buffalo steaks - Winnipeg Goldeye (a white fish rather like trout) - pancakes, griddle cakes, blueberry muffins - wild duck, trout - grouse, partridge, deer, Saskatoon pie (berry like pomes grow wild on prairies). <P>British Columbia: salmon, trout, crab, shrimp, halibut, cod - fresh fruits and vegetables (in season) - lamb - loganberry (hybrid of blackberry and raspberry, grown commercially in BC). <P>Northern Canada: Arctic char (found nowhere else in the world except in our northern glacial streams). <H3>Drinking in Canada </H3> In nine out of the ten provinces, beer, liquor and wine for private consumption can only be purchased at a government liquor store, or at a Brewers' Retail outlet. In Quebec, beer can also be purchased at licensed grocery stores. The liquor laws and hours of sale vary from province to province, even from city to city. Also from province to province, the legal drinking age varies between 18 and 21 years. Under federal law, bar waiters and owners can refuse to serve young people if they have no proof of their age. For the benefit of travellers, some of Canada's airports serve beer and liquor 24 hours a day. Canadians drink rye and scotch whiskey, gin, rum, beer, wine, both native and imported varieties. <P><IMG SRC="../NEWPICS/Strip.gif" WIDTH="532" HEIGHT="3"><H3>What to buy </H3> We are very proud of the industries which have grown up in Canada within the last 60 years. As a visitor to Canada, you will probably want to take something home with you. Here are a few suggestions: china and porcelain; woollen goods; Indian handicrafts; Eskimo carvings and prints; furs; suede goods- painting and sculpture by Canadian artists; pottery; Canadian-designed clothes and shoes (among the finest in the world of fashion). <P><IMG SRC="../NEWPICS/Strip.gif" WIDTH="532" HEIGHT="3"><H3>Frontier formalities</H3> Passports and visas - Persons visiting Canada who are citizens or permanent residents of the United States do not require passports or visas. To assist officers of both nations to speed the crossing, however, native-born US citizens should carry identifying papers such as birth, baptismal or voter's certificate, or other documents establishing their citizenship. Naturalised citizens should carry documentary evidence of citizenship such as a naturalisation certificate, just in case they are asked for it. Alien permanent residents in the United States are advised to have their Alien Registration Receipt Card (US Form 1-151). All persons coming to Canada as visitors from other countries than the US must possess valid national passports. Persons who are not citizens of countries listed below must have their passports visaed by a Canadian Immigration Officer, or Consular Officer, in their country of residence. In countries where there is no Canadian representative visas may be secured from the nearest Consular officer of the British Government. <UL><LI>British subjects or citizens of Commonwealth countries <LI>Citizens of Ireland; <LI>Citizens of France <LI>Citizens of the Republic of South Africa <LI>Persons born or naturalised in any country of North, South or Central America or islands adjacent thereto. <LI>Citizens of Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Monaco, San Marino, The Netherlands and West Germany.</UL> <P>Any person who plans to visit Canada for more than three months must so declare and be documented (registered) at his port of entry. Immigration officers are authorised to document any visitor. <P>Anyone who is not a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant and who plans to take employment in Canada must have an Employment Visa (Work Permit) before being admitted to Canada. Diplomatic and visiting Armed Forces personnel on official duty, visiting businessmen, foreign news correspondents and persons engaged in sporting activities are exempt. <P>Persons who wish to attend an educational institution in Canada must have a letter of acceptance from the institution they will attend and show proof of financial resources for tuition and maintenance for the intended period of stay. <P>For more information consult the nearest Canadian Immigration office in your country or write to: Canada Immigration Division, Department of Manpower and Immigration, 305 Rideau Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0J9 <H3>Health regulations</H3> International Certificate of Vaccination is required for those arriving from Yellow Fever, Cholera endemic areas. Smallpox vaccination not required, except from areas of infection. For current list check Canadian Consular representations or WHO offices. <H3>Customs regulations</H3> Tourists are permitted entry of personal effects, up to 50 cigars, 200 cigarettes, 2lbs of manufactured tobacco, up to 40 ounces of liquor or wine, duty free. Revolvers, pistols, automatic firearms and certain other articles are prohibited. Specific entry regulations covering animals, birds, plants, food, etc - check with Canadian consulates or embassies. <H3>Currency regulations</H3> Nil. Visitors are required to be in possession of sufficient funds for their stay and departure. <P><IMG SRC="../NEWPICS/Strip.gif" WIDTH="532" HEIGHT="3"><H3>Main travel routes</H3> <B>Air and rail</B>: from Montreal to Halifax, Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver; From Toronto to Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver; from Ottawa to Montreal, Toronto. <B><I>Road</B>: 1. Alaska Highway; 2. Macdonald-Cartier Freeway; 3. Trans-Canada Highway (the world's longest highway-stretches 4. 860 miles from St. John's to Victoria); 4. Mackenzie Route. 5. Yellowhead Route (alternate route through Rocky Mountains and western plains). <P><B>Rail</B>: Trans Continental Route: Canadian National Railway; Canadian Pacific Railway; Quebec Labrador Railway. <H3>Provincial/territorial offices</H3> <B>Alberta</B> Alberta Economic Development and Tourism, 3rd Floor Commerce Place 10155-102 Street, EDMONTON, Alta. Canada T5J 4L6 Tel: (403) 427-4321, From Canada and USA: Tel: 1-800-661-8888. <P><B>British Columbia</B> Tourism British Columbia, Parliament Buildings VICTORIA, B.C. Canada V8V 1X4, Tel: (604) 663-6000 From Canada and USA: Tel: 1-800-663-6000. <P><B>Manitoba</B> Travel Manitoba, 7th Floor 155 Carlton Street, WINNIPEG, Man. Canada R3C 3H8, Tel: (204) 945-3777, From Canada and USA: Tel: 1-800-665-0040. <P><B>New Brunswick</B> Tourism New Brunswick, P.O. Box 12345 FREDERICTON, N.B. Canada E3B 5C3, From Canada and USA: Tel: 1-800-561-0123. <P><B>Newfoundland and Labrador</B> Department of Tourism and Culture, P.O. Box 8730 ST. JOHN'S, Nfld. Canada A1 B 4K2, Tel: (709) 729-2830, From Canada and USA: Tel: 1-800-563-NFLD<P> <B>Northwest Territories</B> Tourism P.O. Box 1320. YELLOWKNIFE, N.W.T. Canada X1A 2L9, Tel: (403) 873-7200, From Canada and USA: Tel: 1-800-661-0788. <P><B>Nova Scotia</B> Department of Tourism and Culture, P.O. Box 456 HALIFAX, N.S., Canada B3J 2R5, Tel: (902) 424-5000 or Tel: 1-800-565-0000. <P><B>Ontario</B> Ontario Travel Queen's Park, TORONTO, Ont. Canada M7A 2R9 Tel: (416) 314-0944 TDD: (416) 314-6557, From Canada and USA: Tel: 1-800,-ONTARIO. <P><B>Prince Edward Island</B> Department of Tourism, Parks and Recreation Visitors Services Division, P.O. Box 940, CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. Canada C1A 7M5, Tel: (902) 368-4444 From Canada and USA: Tel: 1-800-463-4 PEI. <P><B>Quebec Tourisme</B> Quebec C.P. 979 MONTREAL, Que. Canada H3C 2W3, Tel: (514) 873-2015, From Canada and USA: Tel: 1-800-363-7777. <P><B>Saskatchewan</B> Tourism Saskatchewan Authority, Suite 500 1900 Albert Street REGINA, Sask. Canada S4P 4L9. Tel: (306) 787-2300, From Canada and USA: Tel: 1-800-667-7191. <P><B>Yukon Tourism</B> Yukon P.O. Box 2703 .WHITEHORSE, Yukon Canada Y1A 2C6, Tel: (403) 667-5340. <P><B>Note</B>: The prefix 1-800 indicates a toll-free number <P><IMG SRC="../NEWPICS/Strip.gif" WIDTH="532" HEIGHT="3"><P> <I>We have been able to publish the present tourist information on Canada thanks to the co-operation of the Canadian Tourism Commission</I> <!-- End of article --> <P> <CENTER><IMG SRC="../NEWPICS/Strip.gif" WIDTH="532" HEIGHT="4"></CENTER> <P> <CENTER><A HREF=#TOP><IMG SRC="Countrypics/WhiteTopbut.gif" BORDER="0" hspace="5"></A> <A HREF="../../../watanetwork/NTOs/Countrieslist/"><IMG SRC="Countrypics/WhiteNTObut.gif" BORDER="0" hspace="5"></A></CENTER> </TD> </TR> </TABLE> </BODY> </HTML>