Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Canada You Might Want to Know

Canada is a federal parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy with Queen Elizabeth II as the head of state. It is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. Canada is an officially bilingual country (English and French) at the federal level.

Due to substantial immigration from various countries, Canada is one of the most ethnically diverse and multicultural countries globally, with a population of approximately 35 million as of December 2012. Canada has a highly developed economy, ranking among the world's top, relying mainly on abundant natural resources and an advanced trading system. The country has a long-standing and complex relationship with the United States, significantly influencing its economy and culture.

Hence, after nearly 100 years of independence, Canada adopted an official design for its flag. The Canadian Flag is designed with three vertical stripes. The central stripe has a white background, symbolizing Canada, while the two sides are two red stripes representing the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. This reflects the vastness of the second-largest country in the world—Canada. In the center of the white background is a stylized red maple leaf. The Canadian Flag is designed in a ratio of 1:2, unlike most other country flags with a ratio of 2:3.

Canadian culture draws from the influences of diverse ethnicities and policies aimed at preserving multiculturalism as per the constitution. Québec stands out with a strong emphasis, and many Francophone commentators speak of a distinct Québécois culture compared to English-speaking Canada.

However, overall, Canada adheres to the concept of a mosaic culture – a collection of various regional subcultures, indigenous cultures, and ethnicities. Government policies such as publicly funded healthcare, higher taxes for wealth redistribution, abolishment of the death penalty, strong anti-poverty efforts, strict gun control, and the legalization of same-sex marriage further reflect the sociocultural values of Canada.

Canada is a country that consistently tops coffee consumption charts, and Tim Hortons is the national coffee brand here. Canadians have a unique way of drinking coffee compared to many other countries. They often prefer coffee with cream instead of milk or sugar, explaining it as a way to provide calories in the cold weather.

Canada, the second-largest country in the world, is situated in the northern part of North America. The territory of Canada consists of 10 provinces and 3 federal territories, stretching from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and bordering the Arctic Ocean to the north.

Canada shares a continental border with the United States to the south and shares the northwest border with the U.S. state of Alaska. To the northeast of Canada is the island of Greenland belonging to the Kingdom of Denmark. Off the southern coast of Canada's Newfoundland is the archipelago of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, which is a part of France. Canada's border with the United States to the south and northwest is the longest international border in the world.

The name of Canada today, in fact, originated from a misunderstanding. In 1536, when French explorer Jacques Cartier arrived in this region, he accidentally overheard the everyday conversation of the Huron-Iroquois indigenous people. In their daily communication, they frequently used the word “Kanata” (Kanata in their language means “village”). The explorer and his crew mistakenly took that as the name of this land (or misinterpreted as Canada in modern terms).

The provinces and territories of Canada are responsible for education. The compulsory school attendance ranges from 5–7 to 16–18 years old, contributing to a literacy rate of 99% among adults. Canada is a multicultural country, embracing various religions and customs.

In 2011, 88% of adults aged 25 to 64 achieved an equivalent of a high school diploma, while the overall rate for the OECD was 74%. In 2002, 43% of Canadians aged 25 to 64 possessed education beyond high school; within the age range of 25 to 34, the rate of post-secondary education reached 51%. According to a 2012 NBC report, Canada is the most educated country globally. The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) indicates that Canadian students outperform the OECD average, especially in mathematics, science, and reading.

Hence, Canada remains one of the most polite countries in the world, evident everywhere in public spaces like supermarkets and bus stations. A charming aspect is that Canadians consistently practice the habit of holding a place in line for the person behind them, regardless of how close or far they are.

Historically, Canada has been influenced by the cultures and traditions of England, France, and the Indigenous peoples. Through language, arts, and music, Indigenous peoples continue to impact Canada's identity. Many Canadians value multiculturalism, seeing Canada as inherently diverse. American media is prevalent, if not dominant, in English-speaking Canada; conversely, numerous cultural works and entertainers from Canada find success in the U.S. and globally.

Maintaining a distinct Canadian culture is government-supported through programs, legislation, and institutions such as the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), the National Film Board of Canada (NFB), and the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC).

Canadians highly value the act of apologizing. This is considered a cultural communication trait here. It is one of the “customs” greatly influenced by European countries, especially England. In fact, many people have been surprised when Canadians apologize (or express regret) even though it's clearly not their fault.

6. Thanksgiving Takes Place in October

Canada is a multicultural country with diverse beliefs and customs. According to the 2011 census, 67.3% of Canadians identify as Christians, with the Roman Catholic Church being the largest denomination at 38.7% of the population.

Protestant denominations make up 27% of the population, with the United Church of Canada (6.1%), Anglicans (5.0%), and Baptists (1.9%) being the largest among them. In 2011, approximately 23.9% of Canada's residents considered themselves non-religious, up from 16.5% in 2001. The remaining 8.8% of the Canadian population adheres to various other religions, with Islam (3.2%) and Hinduism (1.5%) being the largest among them.

However, unlike the United States and some European countries that celebrate Thanksgiving in November, in Canada, Thanksgiving takes place on the second Monday of October. This difference is due to the earlier harvest season in Canada. Additionally, Canadian Thanksgiving features distinct foods, including Butter Tarts and Pumpkin Pie, setting it apart from celebrations in other countries. Therefore, one of the reasons for Thanksgiving being in October in Canada.

7. Lacrosse - The National Sport

Sports events in Canada date back to the 1770s. The official national sports of Canada are ice hockey and lacrosse. Seven out of the eight largest metropolitan areas in Canada – Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton, and Winnipeg – have clubs participating in the National Hockey League (NHL).

Other popular spectator sports in Canada include figure skating and Canadian football; the Canadian Football League (CFL) is a professional competition. Golf, tennis, baseball, skiing, cricket, volleyball, interleague rugby, soccer, and basketball are widely played at the amateur and youth levels, although professional leagues are not as common.

While Canada is the birthplace of basketball, ice hockey remains more popular in Canada than basketball, and lacrosse is considered the national sport. Canadians can play lacrosse anywhere, from ice rinks to street corners.

8. A Nation of Diverse Cultures

Canada officially recognizes two languages: English and French, as per Section 16 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Official Languages Act of the federal government. The Canadian government practices official bilingualism, overseen by the Commissioner of Official Languages.

English and French hold equal status in federal courts, Parliament, and throughout all federal institutions. Citizens have the right, where warranted, to receive government services in English or French. Minority languages with official status are ensured to have schools using them in all provinces and territories.

English and French are the first languages of 59.7% and 23.2% of Canada's population, respectively. Approximately 98% of Canadians can speak either English or French: 57.8% speak only English, 22.1% speak only French, and 17.4% speak both languages. Official language communities of English and French, identified by the first official language spoken, represent 73% and 23.6% of the population.

While many assume most Canadians have English or French roots, in reality, the majority come from all around the world. In Toronto, over 140 languages are spoken, and nearly 50% of the population is born outside of Canada.

If someone asks when is the most exciting time to visit Canada, the answer is undoubtedly during Christmas. As the golden-red hues of Canadian fall give way to the blanket of white snow covering the streets, a new Christmas season is approaching. Let's explore some irresistible charms of Canada during Christmas!

Thick falling snow and sub-zero temperatures characterize the winter season in Canada. However, this does not diminish the warmth and beauty of this travel destination. During Christmas in Canada, you'll be amazed as homes and streets are adorned with bright lights mixed with the green shades of Christmas trees. Countless festive activities are organized in both big and small cities, making Christmas in Canada lively and deeply rooted in national culture. Choosing Canada as your stop for this Christmas, don't miss the light festivals and tree parades here!

Christmas is also a time when age-old traditions are passed down through generations. In Canada during the Christmas season, follow the footsteps of masked children as they go door-to-door ringing bells and asking for sweets, immersing yourself in the festive atmosphere on every street.

Especially, whether you are a citizen of Canada or not, when you want to write a letter to Santa Claus, you will receive a reply. According to the Canadian immigration authority, Santa Claus's nationality is Canadian because he lives in the North Pole. Therefore, this is also where he is granted citizenship.

Traveling to Canada - Canada is the second-largest country in the world, second only to the Russian Federation. This country boasts numerous beautiful natural wonders, so if you have the chance to travel to Canada, you should visit these places at least once...

Canadian Rockies: Located in western Canada, spanning the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta, the Canadian Rockies are considered one of the most challenging mountain ranges for climbers and a place with breathtaking landscapes that should not be missed in your travel journey. This is an excellent choice in the summer for mountain enthusiasts and an ideal snowboarding destination for tourists in the winter.

Vancouver Island: Vancouver is an intriguing destination on a Canada tour. Vancouver Island is a large island in British Columbia, Canada. It is one of many places in North America named after George Vancouver, a British Royal Navy officer who explored the Pacific Northwest coast of North America between 1791 and 1794. The wild beauty and tranquil waves of the coastline here will captivate travelers. Vancouver Island is a paradise for outdoor activities such as fishing, whale watching, wildlife viewing, golfing, visiting orchards, and meadows...

Moreover, make sure to visit the Hotel de Glace in Canada, rebuilt every year with 500 tons of ice and 30,000 tons of snow, especially open to guests for a few months. After that period, the snow and ice melt, and everything returns to normal, but every winter, this hotel is reconstructed.