Canada was a great place to live in the 70s — it still is. And though there’s been a lot of talk in the US about Canada’s health care system, it’s only a small part of what Canada is.

Fast Facts About Canada, Horseshoe Bay, BC

Here are some fast facts about Canada:

Canada was founded on July 1, 1867. Its population, according to the 2011 census, numbers 34 million.
At 3,855,103 square miles, Canada is the world’s second largest country. (Russia is the largest.)
Canada has two official languages – English and French.
Canada is divided into 10 provinces and 3 territories: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan and Yukon. Ontario and Quebec have the two largest populations, the territories have the largest sizes but the smallest populations.
Ottawa is Canada’s capital; Toronto its largest city. Both are located in the province of Ontario.
Canada’s largest island, Baffin Island, is larger than every US state except Alaska and Texas. The 5th largest island in the world, it more than doubles the size of the UK and is just slightly smaller than France.
Canada’s highest mountain range, Mount Logan, stretches from Alaska to the Yukon. Because of tectonic activity, the mountain continues to grow at an average of a few millimeters a year. Currently at 6,050 meters (19,849 feet), it is the second highest mountain range in North America (behind Mount McKinley), sixth highest in the world.
Canada’s 151,600 miles of coastline makes it the longest in the world.
The border between Canada and the US, officially called the International Boundary, is 5,525 miles. It is the longest border between two countries and includes 1,538 miles between Canada and Alaska.
Canada’s $1 and $2 coins are called the Loonie, and the Twonie. Both have the figure of the loon, a Canadian bird on one side.
Canada has the 10th largest economy. It exports motor vehicles and parts, machinery and equipment, aircraft, crude petroleum, natural gas, electricity, fertilizers, wood pulp, aluminum, timber, telecommunications equipment. The US is its largest trading partner.
Canada has a long list of famous entertainers, sports figures, authors and inventors. Among them: Alexander Graham Bell, John Kenneth Galbraith, Seth Rogen, Mordecai Richler, Peter Jennings, Lorne Michaels, Oscar Peterson, Margaret Atwood, Guy Lombardo, Alex Trebek, William Shatner, James Doohan, Justin Bieber, Wayne Gretsky, Keanu Reeves, Shania Twain, Drake, Jim Carrey, Joni Mitchell and Paul Anka.

Which of these fun facts were you surprised to learn?

Photos from Photo Dropper.

photo by:

mararie

Today is Canada Day, the day of Canada’s birth and for the first time in many years, I’m here on July 1st and plan to celebrate. No, I’m not Canadian but I feel a special affinity for Canada as it is here that I came of age.

It is in Canada that I learned to appreciate the changing colors of the leaves in the fall, the rebirth and flowering of plants and trees in the spring. It is here that came to I understand how to live in a multicultural and multiracial society, and to appreciate the need to respect differences. For the most part, Canada matched me philosophically, spiritually, politically and morally and, for a time, I shared in the pride Canadians feel about their country.

In addition to my many relatives who call Canada home, I have an extensive network of friends, most of whom I met either at university or after through the various jobs I held.

I learned a lot in Canada but I never did learn to love the cold — the sun was too deep in my bones — or embrace winter sports but I so love a glass of ice wine. Sometimes, I’ll even add a touch of maple syrup to my pancakes, just for old times.

I’m glad I was able to spend some of the best years of my life in Canada. It has given me wonderful and enduring memories.