Canada

Canada Flag

"Great White North"

Why visit Canada?

A year round destination offers something for everyone whether seeking art, boating, camping, canoeing, culture, fishing, galleries, gardens, hiking, hunting, kayaking, islands, lakes, mountains, museums, national parks, nightlife, northern lights, picturesque landscapes, rockies, sailing, skiing, snow sports. volcanoes, waterfalls, water sports. white water rafting, wilderness and wildlife. 

Moraine Lake (Banff National Park), Alberta, Canada. Photo Credit: David Mark/Pixabay 

At a Glance

• Souvenirs to Buy: Maple Butter, Maple Syrup and Tuques (knit cap).
• Local Cuisine to Try: Butter Tarts (dessert). Montreal-Style Bagels. Nanaimo Bars (dessert). Nova Scotian Donair (kebab).Oreilles de crisse (fried pork skin). Peameal Bacon. Poutine (gravy fries). Rappie Pie (grated potatoes). Smoked Salmon.
• Local Drink to Try: Canadian Beer. Red Rose Tea. Newfoundland Screech (rum). Yukon Jack (liquor).

Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. Photo Credit: Neil Morrell/Pixabay 

Fun Facts

• Around 1000AD, Leif Erikson, Norse Explorer from Iceland arrived (Newfoundland).
  
• In 1497, John Cabot, Italian Explorer arrived claiming on behalf of King Henry VII (1457-1509) of England.
  
• In 1534, Jacques Cartier (1491-1557), French Explorer arrived claiming on behalf of King Francis I (1494-1547) of France.
• In 1583, Queen Elizabeth I (1533-1603) founded St John, Newfoundland.
  
• During 

  17th Century (

  1601-1700), fur trade battles occurred (Beaver Wars).
• In 1603, Samuel de Champlain (1567-1635), French Explorer arrived to establish settlements in Port Royal and Quebec City.

• During 18th Century (

  1701-1800), first evident use of the maple leaf.
• In 1769, St John's Island became a Colony (Prince Edward Island).
  
• In 1775, the eruption of Tseax Cone (volcano) killed thousands.
  
• In 1791, became British colonies (Upper Canada and Lower Canada).
• In 1867, legally called London Conference.
• In 1949, the Dominion of Newfoundland joined as a province.
• In 1980, officially adopted the national anthem, "O Canada".
• In 1985, Air India Flight 182 disgrinted mid air on an outbound return (Montreal).
• In 1989, engineering school mass shooting (Montreal).  
• In 2007, in collaboration with other countries is developing vaccines for under developed countries ($1.5 billion project).     
  
• Has the world's longest bi-national land border.
  
• Saint John (New Brunswick), oldest incorporated city.
  
• Second largest country in the world.
  
• World's most fresh waters, featuring over 2,000,000 lakes.
• Considered one of the least corrupt countries in the world.
  
• Highest level of internet users compared to other countries.
• Birthplace of the alkaline battery, atomic nucleus structure and polio vaccine.
• American Sign Language (ASL) is used in primary and secondary schools.
  
• Birthplace to several recognizable names: Alice Ann Munro, Author (Nobel Prize); Céline Marie Claudette Dion, Musician; Franklin Carmichael (1890-1945), Artist; James Eugene Carrey, Actor; Justin Beiber, Musician; Margaret Atwood, Poet and Thomas John Thomson (1877-1917), Artist.
• Official national sports are ice hockey and lacrosse.
  
• Bag milk (vs jugs) is common in some areas.
  
• Has approximately 52,455 islands, most popular to visit: Baffin Island, Cape Breton Island, Fogo Island, Haida Gwaii, Magdalene Island, Manitoulin Island, Prince Edward Island, Sable Island, Spirit Island, Thousand Islands, Toronto Islands and Vancouver Island.

Science World (Museum), Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Photo Credit: ArtTower/Pixabay 

Special Holidays/Occasions

• Annual Events: (January) Animethon, (February) Ceremony of the Flags, Women's Memorial March, (March) Vancouver Fashion Week, (April) Pwn2Own, World Ski & Snowboard Festival, (May) Anime North, Canada Wide Science Fair, Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards, Canadian Tulip Festival, Science Rendezvous, Tokers Bowl, (June) L'International des Feux Loto, Mr World Canada, Red River Exhibition, Scarboro Fair, (July) A Taste of Edmonton, Celebration of Light, Fortissimo Sunset Ceremony, (August) Anime Evolution, Animaze Montreal International Film Festival, Boots & Hearts Music Festival, Fantasia International Film Festival, GlobalFest, (September) Canadian International Air Show, Golden Tap Awards (GTA), London International Hot Air Balloon Festival, Vancouver Fashion Week, We Day, (October) BOLDfest, Kitchener Waterloo Oktoberfest, Ride for Refuge, (December) Conference of Montreal, Expozine and Rise Up Conference.
• Holidays: New Year's Day, Good Friday, Canada Day, Labour Day, Christmas Day, Easter Monday, Victoria Day, Civic Holiday, Thanksgiving, Remembrance Day and Boxing Day.

(Aurora Borealis/Northern Lights),Yellowknife, Canada. Photo Credit: libbycalnon/Pixabay 

Good to Know

• Official languages, English and French.
• If you have a criminal record you may not be able to enter without “approval for rehabilitation” first.
• Cannabis is illegal, subject to permanently being banned and imprisonment.
  
• Avoid driving while intoxicated (DWI), driving while ability-impaired or and driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol and cannabis both are strictly forbidden.
  
• Aurora borealis (northern lights) are best seen between December - February.

Vancouver City, British Columbia, Canada. Photo Credit: Chris1007/Pixabay 

This international destination requires:

• A valid passport with validity for three months upon return and one blank page for entry stamp.
• Tourist VISA not required for visits under 180 days.

Canadian Rockies, British Columbia, Canada. Photo Credit: Pixabay

• Best Time to Visit: September - October
• Coldest Months: December - March 
• Hottest Months: June - September
• Peak Season: June - September

Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada. Photo Credit: Christophe Schindler/Pixabay 

Your Must-See & Do

• UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks, Dinosaur Provincial Park, Gros Morne National Park, Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, Historic District of Old Québec, Joggins Fossil Cliffs, Kluan/Wrangell-St Elias/Glacier Bay/Tatshenshini-Alsek, L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site, Landscape of Grand-Pré, Miguasha National Park, Mistaken Point, Nahanni National Park, Old Town Lunenburg, Pimachiowin Aki, Red Bay Basque Whaling Station, Rideau Canal, SGang Gwaay, Waterton Glacier International Peace Park, Wood Buffalo National Park and Writing-on-Stone/Áísínai'pi.

Québec City, Québec, Canada. Photo Credit: Beenerm/Pixabay 

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"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page" ~ Saint Augustine

                                    All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Subject to change without notice.