Canada

Discover Canada

Fun Foods

Poutine, Montreal Smoked Meat, Lobster, Nanaimo Bars, BeaverTails, and Maple Syrup

Canada, a country in North America, is the second largest in the world by area. It spans six time zones, covers roughly 10 million square kilometres, and its capital is Ottawa. Its landscapes range from Arctic tundra to coastal rainforests and sweeping prairie fields.

For thousands of years, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities shaped these lands. They fished, hunted, and traded across forests, lakes, and Arctic ice. Their art, languages, and governance systems still inspire Canadians today.

In 1608, Samuel de Champlain founded Québec City and built alliances with local tribes for fur trading. French settlers brought their language, faith, and farming methods to the St. Lawrence Valley. That mix created a distinct French-Canadian culture.

After the Battle of the Plains of Abraham in 1759, Britain took control of New France. British law and institutions replaced French ones, but many settlers stayed and protected their language. This tension still shapes Canada’s bilingual heritage.

Between 1812 and 1814, British troops, Indigenous warriors led by Chief Tecumseh, and Canadian militias defended against a US invasion. The fierce fight at Lundy’s Lane proved Canada’s resolve. It also deepened ties between Indigenous allies and settlers.

On July 1, 1867, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia formed the Dominion of Canada. Sir John A. Macdonald, the first prime minister, pushed to link the coasts. His vision drove the building of the Canadian Pacific Railway, completed in 1885.

Métis leader Louis Riel led uprisings in 1869 and 1885 to defend Métis land rights. His trial and execution divided Canadians on justice and identity. Manitoba joined Confederation as a result of those uprisings.

Women earned the federal vote in 1918 after tireless campaigning. Canada sent over 600,000 soldiers to World War I and more to World War II, forging a reputation for bravery on battlefields far from home.

The Indian residential schools forced Indigenous children to abandon their languages and cultures. Canada now confronts this legacy through truth and reconciliation efforts, seeking healing and justice.

In 1970, Quebec’s FLQ Crisis rattled the nation when radicals kidnapped public figures. The government invoked the War Measures Act to restore order. Those events prompted debates on civil rights and unity.

Expo 67 in Montreal dazzled millions with pavilions from around the globe. The 1976 Summer Olympics also left a lasting footprint on the city’s skyline. Later, Vancouver hosted the Winter Olympics in 2010, showcasing Canada’s love of sport.

Canada celebrate Canada Day on July 1 with fireworks, music, and barbecues. Thanksgiving in October gathers families around turkey and pumpkin pie. In Québec City, the Winter Carnival lights up February with ice palaces and sled races.

Hockey unites communities across the country, while lacrosse stands as our official summer sport. From coast to coast, stadiums roar when teams compete for national pride.

See the Rocky Mountains, Niagara Falls, and the northern lights in Yukon. Taste poutine, fresh seafood, and sweet maple treats.