Canada's Regions
Canada is the second largest country on earth — 10 million square kilometres — with five distinct regions, ten provinces and three territories.
Overview and capital
Canada is the second largest country on earth — 10 million square kilometres. Three oceans line Canada's frontiers: the Pacific Ocean in the west, the Atlantic Ocean in the east, and the Arctic Ocean to the north. Ottawa, located on the Ottawa River, was chosen as the capital in 1857 by Queen Victoria. Canada has a population of about 34 million people. Canada has ten provinces and three territories.
The Atlantic Provinces
The four Atlantic Provinces are Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick. Newfoundland and Labrador is the most easterly point in North America. PEI is the smallest province, known for red soil, potato farming, and as the birthplace of Confederation — connected to the mainland by the Confederation Bridge. Nova Scotia is the most populous Atlantic Province — Halifax is Canada's largest east coast port and home to Canada's largest naval base. New Brunswick is the only officially bilingual province.
Central Canada
More than half the people in Canada live in cities and towns near the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River in southern Quebec and Ontario — Central Canada. Together, Ontario and Quebec produce more than three-quarters of all Canadian manufactured goods. Toronto is the largest city in Canada and the country's main financial centre. Montreal, Canada's second largest city, is the second largest mainly French-speaking city in the world after Paris. There are five Great Lakes: Ontario, Erie, Huron, Michigan (US), and Superior (the largest freshwater lake in the world).
The Prairie Provinces
Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta are the Prairie Provinces — rich in energy resources and fertile farmland. Manitoba's most populous city is Winnipeg; Winnipeg's French Quarter (St. Boniface) has Western Canada's largest Francophone community. Saskatchewan has 40% of Canada's arable land, is the country's largest producer of grains and oilseeds, and has the world's richest deposits of uranium and potash — Regina is home to the RCMP training academy. Alberta is the largest producer of oil and gas; the oil sands in the north are being developed as a major energy source.
The West Coast
British Columbia is known for majestic mountains and as Canada's Pacific gateway. The Port of Vancouver, Canada's largest and busiest, handles billions of dollars in goods. About one-half of all goods produced in B.C. are forestry products. The capital, Victoria, is a tourist centre and headquarters of the navy's Pacific fleet.
The Northern Territories
The Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Yukon contain one-third of Canada's land mass but have a population of only 100,000. The North is often called the 'Land of the Midnight Sun.' Nunavut, meaning 'our land' in Inuktitut, was established in 1999 — the capital is Iqaluit and the population is about 85% Inuit. Yukon holds the record for the coldest temperature recorded in Canada (−63°C). The Northwest Territories capital, Yellowknife, is called the 'diamond capital of North America.'
Provincial and territorial capitals
Each province and territory has its own capital city: Ontario — Toronto; Quebec — Quebec City; British Columbia — Victoria; Alberta — Edmonton; Saskatchewan — Regina; Manitoba — Winnipeg; Nova Scotia — Halifax; New Brunswick — Fredericton; PEI — Charlottetown; Newfoundland and Labrador — St. John's; Yukon — Whitehorse; Northwest Territories — Yellowknife; Nunavut — Iqaluit. Ottawa is the national capital, located on the Ontario side of the Ottawa River across from Gatineau, Quebec. The Parliament Buildings, Rideau Canal (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and the National Gallery of Canada are located in Ottawa.
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Key Facts
- •Canada is the second largest country on earth — 10 million square kilometres
- •Population: about 34 million people
- •Ottawa chosen as capital in 1857 by Queen Victoria
- •10 provinces and 3 territories — each with its own capital
- •Five regions: Atlantic Provinces, Central Canada, Prairie Provinces, West Coast, Northern Territories
- •PEI is the smallest province — birthplace of Confederation
- •Toronto is Canada's largest city and main financial centre
- •Montreal is the second largest mainly French-speaking city in the world after Paris
- •Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake in the world
- •Saskatchewan has 40% of Canada's arable land
- •RCMP training academy is in Regina, Saskatchewan
- •Nunavut (1999) means 'our land' in Inuktitut — 85% Inuit population
- •The Northern territories contain one-third of Canada's land mass but only 100,000 people
- •Provincial/territorial capitals include: Toronto (ON), Quebec City (QC), Victoria (BC), Edmonton (AB), Regina (SK), Winnipeg (MB), Halifax (NS), Fredericton (NB), Charlottetown (PEI), St. John's (NL), Whitehorse (YT), Yellowknife (NT), Iqaluit (NU)