CANADA:

Canada is a country located in the northern part of North America and is the
second largest country on earth. It has three ocean borders:

 the Pacific Ocean in the west

 the Atlantic Ocean in the east
 the Arctic Ocean to the north

Canada borders the United States in the south and in the northwest.

The flag of Canada

The flag of Canada often referred to as the Canadian flag, or unofficially as
the Maple Leaf. Is a national flag consisting of a red field with a white square at
its centre. It is the first specified by law for use as the country's national flag.
The flag made its first official appearance on February 15, 1965; the date is now
celebrated annually as National Flag of Canada Day.

The Canadian people:

Immigration has been a key part in Canadian society’s growth throughout our
nation’s history.

Canada’s population of around 31 million people reflects a cultural, ethnic and

linguistic mix that is unique in the world.

Canadian multiculturalism is based on the belief that all citizens are equal and
that diversity makes us stronger as a country.

The founding peoples of Canada include:

 Aboriginal peoples
 French Canadians
 English Canadians

Most English Canadians are descendants of English, Welsh, Scottish and Irish
people. These include settlers, soldiers and migrants who came to Canada from
the 17th to the 20th century.

Government:

Canada has three levels of government:

 Federal
  Provincial or territorial
 Municipal (city)

 Federal government

The Prime Minister heads the federal government based in Ottawa. It deals with
national and international matters, such as: money, taxes, foreign affairs,
Aboriginal lands and rights, national defence and others.

Justin Trudeau - The Prime Minister

 Provincial and territorial governments

A Premier leads each province and territory.

The provincial and territorial governments have the power to change their laws
and manage their own public lands. They are in charge of: education, health
care, road regulations.

 Municipal (City) governments

Mayors lead municipal governments.

Municipal governments run cities, towns or districts (municipalities). They are in

charge of things, such as: parks, libraries, roadways, local police, local land
use, fire protection, public transportation, community water systems.

Parliamentary democracy

Parliament has three parts:

 the Sovereign (Queen or King)

 the Senate
 the House of Commons

Canadian citizens elect political representatives at all three levels of

government:

 federal
 provincial or territorial
 municipal

Constitutional monarchy
Canada is a constitutional monarchy. This means:

 the Queen or King of Canada is the head of state

 the Prime Minister is the head of government

The Governor General represents the Queen in Canada. The Sovereign

appoints the Governor General on the Prime Minister’s advice. The appointment
is usually for five years.
REINA ISABEL II

Cities, provinces and regions

Ottawa is the capital city of Canada and is located on the Ottawa River between
Ontario and Quebec.

Canada has 10 provinces and three territories, each with its own capital city.
These provinces and territories are grouped into five regions:
  Atlantic Provinces:
o Newfoundland and Labrador
o Prince Edward Island
o Nova Scotia
o New Brunswick
 Central Canada:
o Quebec
o Ontario
 Prairie Provinces:
o Manitoba
o Saskatchewan
o Alberta
 West Coast: British Columbia
 North:
o Nunavut
o Northwest Territories
o Yukon Territory

Most people live in southern Ontario and Quebec, southwest British Columbia
and Alberta. Much of the north has a very low population because of the cold
climate.

QUEBEC
OTTAWA

TORONTO

ALBERTA – Lake Louise

Land:
Canada has many different types of landscape, including:

 high mountains
 prairie grasslands
 different types of forests
 arctic tundra where the ground is permanently frozen

Canada is also home to many rivers and lakes.

Seasons:
In Canada, there are four different seasons:

 winter
 spring
 summer
 autumn (fall)

Winter is very cold in most places with temperatures often below zero degrees
Celsius. Snow covers the ground from around December to March or April. In
southwest British Columbia (around Victoria and Vancouver), rain is more
common in winter than snow.

Depending on where you’re immigrating from, you may be quite surprised by

the cold and snow during your first Canadian winter. With the right clothing,
you’ll be prepared to enjoy the unique beauty of a Canadian winter. Be sure to
buy:

 a hat
 boots
 gloves
 a winter coat

Summer lasts from around June to September and the weather varies from
warm to hot. Daytime temperatures are between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius or
Centigrade (68 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit) or higher. In southern Ontario and
Quebec, it can often be very humid.

Fall and spring are transition seasons. This means the weather starts getting
colder or warmer, and there is a lot of rain.