Directly above the United States lies Canada, the second-largest country in the world. In western Canada, you’ll find lots of lakes, forests, and rugged mountains. Many native tribes live here. People fish for salmon and cut trees for lumber.
Wide, fertile plains stretch across central Canada. Here people raise cattle and grow wheat. Most of Canada’s large cities, such as Toronto and Quebec, lie in Eastern Canada, near the U.S. border, or along the eastern coast.
Canada is a country in North America. It is the second largest country in the world by land area. Canada is known for its diverse culture, beautiful landscapes, and high standard of living. It has a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy. The country is bilingual, with English and French as its official languages. Canada is also known for its healthcare system, education system, and strong economy. It is a popular destination for tourists and immigrants alike.
Canada Facts For Kids
- Canada is the second-largest country in the world by land area.
- It has two official languages: English and French.
- The capital city is Ottawa, and the largest city is Toronto.
- Canada has 10 provinces and 3 territories.
- It’s known for its cold winters and natural beauty.
- The country’s symbol is the maple leaf.
- Canada is home to many types of wildlife like bears and moose.
- Ice hockey and lacrosse are the national sports.
- The Rocky Mountains and Niagara Falls are famous landmarks.
- It has the longest coastline of any country in the world.
Canadian Geography
As the second-largest country globally, Canada spans a massive 9.98 million square kilometers of North American land. It is distinctively surrounded by three oceans: the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Arctic Ocean up north.
Canada’s geography is a stunning tapestry of natural beauty, boasting diverse landscapes from vast forests and towering mountains to spectacular coastlines and a plethora of lakes. This abundance of lakes, representing 60% of the world’s total, makes Canada the country with the most lakes.
Additionally, its coastline, which stretches over 202,080 kilometers, is the longest globally. This diverse and sprawling geography significantly influences Canada’s weather, wildlife, and lifestyle, making it not only visually splendid but also ecologically vital.
History of Canada
Canada’s rich and diverse history extends back thousands of years, beginning with its Indigenous inhabitants who thrived on the land for over 10,000 years prior to the arrival of European explorers. The Norse Viking Leif Erikson was likely the first European to set foot on Canadian soil around the year 1000, but it was John Cabot’s exploration in 1497 that truly set the stage for subsequent European exploration and colonization.
The 16th century saw both the French and the British established colonies, leading up to the British Parliament’s passage of the British North America Act on July 1, 1867. This act effectively united the three colonies of Canada, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia into a singular country within the British Empire, known as Canada. Nowadays, Canada, as the world’s second-largest country by land area, recognizes both English and French as its official languages, a testament to its historical connections with Britain and France.
Canadian Culture and Traditions
As a multicultural nation, Canada takes pride in its rich blend of cultures and traditions, making it a fascinating country for children to explore. One of the most notable traditions is the celebration of Canada Day on July 1st, a significant event that commemorates the nation’s independence since 1867.
Unlike the United States, Canada celebrates Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October. The widely beloved sport of hockey, deeply embedded in the nation’s culture, is a reflection of its popular interests. The country’s linguistic diversity is reflected by its two official languages, French and English, a testament to its English and French ancestry.
Canada’s cultural tapestry is further enriched by its indigenous art, notably the Inuit art and the First Nations’ totem pole carvings. These distinctive aspects of Canadian culture and traditions contribute to the country’s diverse and captivating identity.
Canadian Government and Politics
Canada’s political system is a parliamentary democracy, facilitating its citizens to vote their representatives into the Parliament of Canada, the nation’s federal legislative body responsible for law-making.
The Prime Minister, who heads the government, is typically the leader of the political party that holds the majority in the House of Commons, one of the two parliamentary chambers. The Senate forms the other chamber. While the British monarch is recognized as the formal head of state, their representation in Canada is through the Governor General.
This political arrangement upholds peaceful transitions of power and guarantees that all regions of this vast and diverse country are represented in the national government.
Economy of Canada
As one of the world’s richest nations, Canada boasts a robust and varied economy, underpinned by an abundance of natural resources and a significant trading relationship with its southern neighbor, the United States.
It’s renowned for producing commodities such as wheat, fish, and the quintessentially Canadian maple syrup. Still, it also has a strong foothold in sectors like technology, aerospace, and car manufacturing. Further bolstering its economic stability and expansion is Canada’s banking system, globally recognized as one of the most secure and dependable.
Canadian Wildlife and Ecology
Boasting a wealth of biodiversity, Canada is a wildlife enthusiast’s dream, home to an array of ecosystems that offer sanctuary to a wide variety of species. The country supports approximately 200 diverse mammalian species, such as the majestic moose, the elusive lynx, and the iconic Arctic-exclusive polar bear.
Additionally, it serves as a haven for over 630 bird species, transforming it into a bird-watcher’s utopia. Stretching from British Columbia’s lush rainforests to the rugged Arctic tundra, Canada’s vast wilderness shelters innumerable insects, amphibians, and plant species. Its abundant lakes and rivers provide a habitat for numerous fish species, including the renowned Pacific salmon.
Canada prioritizes preserving this rich biodiversity, implementing numerous national parks and conservation initiatives to safeguard its distinctive wildlife and their habitats.
Indigenous Peoples of Canada
The Indigenous Peoples of Canada, which consist of the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, have inhabited these lands for thousands of years prior to the arrival of European settlers, enriching Canada’s history.
Each of these three primary groups boasts its own distinct culture, language, and history. For example, the First Nations comprise over 600 individual communities and more than 50 nations, each possessing unique traditions and beliefs. On the other hand, the Inuit are primarily found in Canada’s Arctic regions, demonstrating an impressive ability to thrive in harsh, cold climates.
The Métis emerged as a distinct group in the 18th century, resulting from the intermarriage of First Nations peoples and Europeans. These Indigenous Peoples have significantly shaped Canada’s identity, their art, traditions, and languages helping to construct the country’s diverse heritage.
Canadian Cuisine
Canada’s culinary landscape mirrors its diverse population, offering an array of palatable delights that can cater to all ages. One popular dish among children is poutine, a Quebecois staple consisting of French fries drenched in cheese curds and brown gravy.
Sweet tooth cravings can be satisfied by butter tarts, a traditional dessert made from butter, sugar, and eggs. The country is also globally recognized as the primary producer of maple syrup, a sweet concoction widely adored on breakfast staples such as pancakes and waffles. The nation’s vast oceans contribute to its cuisine with dishes featuring salmon and lobster.
From the beavertail pastries of Ottawa to the Nanaimo bars found on the west coast, food offers an exciting avenue to experience the flavors of Canadian culture.
Canada’s Education System
Canada highly values education, boasting some of the highest rates of educational attainment globally. Over half the population holds college degrees, marking Canada as one of the most educated countries worldwide.
The country’s education system is structured into three levels – primary, secondary, and post-secondary, all typically delivered publicly and funded by various government levels. Interestingly, the responsibility for designing and implementing education systems lies with each province or territory, fostering a diverse and comprehensive learning environment.
Reflecting its multicultural heritage, Canada offers bilingual education in both English and French.
Tourism in Canada
Canada ranked as the world’s second-largest country, offers an unforgettable tourism experience due to its stunning natural beauty and a vast array of attractions. Children will be thrilled to discover that it boasts the world’s longest coastline, extending over 202,080 kilometers, inclusive of the renowned Niagara Falls, a spectacle that draws millions of tourists annually.
Canada’s richness further extends to 48 national parks and 168 national historic sites, such as the famous Banff National Park in Alberta and the historic Old Quebec district, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In addition to its geographical splendors, Canada is also home to a diverse range of wildlife, providing opportunities to see creatures such as moose, grizzly bears, and humpback whales.
Therefore, whether tourists are seeking adventure, history, or wildlife, Canada caters to all, promising an unforgettable experience.
French settlers were among the first to arrive in Canada and many people in Quebec still speak French. Britain controlled Canada for a long time, so English is also spoken here. Winter sports, such as hockey, skiing and ice skating, are very popular here. In the city of Ottawa, a large canal runs through the city, surrounded by parks. During the winter, the canal freezes over, making a long ice skating rink.
Fun Facts About Canada for Kids
- The capital city of Canada is Ottawa.
- Justin Trudeau is the current prime minister of Canada – since 2015.
- The area is 3,855,081 miles.
- Canada is the second largest country in the world. Russia is the largest
- The longest land border in the world is shared between Canada and the US – 8891 kilometers – 5525 miles.
- Population in Canada is 37.06 million (2018).
- English and French are the official languages of Canada.
- 83 percent of people are Christian.
- The government they have is multiparty democracy.
- The Canadian dollar is the currency in Canada.
- The main exports from Canada are: Oil, Machinery, Vehicles, Wood, Gems, Plastic.
- The United States is Canada’s largest trading partner.
- 99 percent of adults can read.
- People in Canada can expect to live 82.8 years.
- Mount Logan is the tallest mountain in Canada (5,959m).
- The longest river in Canada is the Mackenzie River – 1738 km.
- Canada has the worlds largest coastline 125,567 miles – 202,080 km.
- Great Bear Lake is Canada’s largest lake.
- Canada has a luxury of wild and exotic animals such as the Grizzly Bears, Bison, Bobcats, Polar Bears, Gray Wolf, Moose and many more.
Canada Vocabulary
- Rugged: rough, sturdy
- Fertile: plentiful
- Canal: man-made stream or river
All About Canada Video for Kids
Here’s a great video for kids on Canada:
Canada Q&A
Question: Does Great Britain still control Canada?
Answer: Canada is an independent state of Great Britain. It recognizes the British monarch as its head. An elected federal government, including a parliament and prime minister, makes Canada’s laws.
Map of Canada
Here’s a map of the country of Canada and all its cities and villages. Zoom in to get into street level or zoom out to see other countries around Canada! You can see the terrain, but also see the roads, images of the buildings and even take a 3D tour through the streets of the cities of Canada, as though you are actually there!
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