Prepare Leontyeva Ann Form 10 th

 Motto : “ From Sea to Sea ”  Anthem : O Canada  Capital : Ottawa  Government : Federal parliamenta ry democracy under constitutio nal monarchy.  Area : 9,984,670 km²  Population : 33,476,688 (35 th )

 Canada ' s history is an exciting story of development of a vast wilderness into a great nation. Most experts believe that the first people who lived on this land came from Asia about years ago. They came over a land bridge that once connected Asia and North America. Their descendants are known today as Indians. The ancestors of the Eskimos came to Alaska after them probably about 5000 years ago.

 In 1497, John Cabot, an Italian navigator in the service of England, found rich fishing grounds off Canada ' s southeast coast. His discovery led to the European exploration of Canada. France set up a colony in eastern Canada in the early 1600' s. Great Britain gained control of the country in 1763, and thousands of British emigrants came to Canada. In 1867, the French and English - speaking Canadians helped to create a united colony called the Dominion of Canada. Two groups worked together to settle the country and to develop its great mineral deposits and other natural resources. Canada gained its independence from Britain in During the middle of 20 th century, hard - working Canadians turned their country into an economic giant. Today Canada is a leading producer of wheat, oats, and barley. Canada also ranks among the world ' s top manufacturing countries, and it is a major producer of electric power.

 Throughout its history, Canada has often been troubled by lack of unity among its people. French Canadians, most of whom live in the province of Quebec, have struggled to preserve their own culture. They have long been angered by Canadian policies based on British traditions. Many of them support a movement to make Quebec a separate nation. People in Canada ' s nine other provinces also frequently favor local needs over national interests.

 Canada occupies a major northern portion of North America, sharing land borders with the contiguous United States to the south and the U. S. state of Alaska to the northwest, stretching from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west ; to the north lies the Arctic Ocean. By total area ( including its waters ), Canada is the second largest country in the world after Russia and largest on the continent. By land area, it ranks second.

 The Great Lakes are a collectio n of freshwate r lakes located in eastern North America, on the Canada – United States border. Consistin g of Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, they form the largest group of freshwate r lakes on Earth.

 The name Canada comes from a St. Lawrence Iroquoian word, Kanata, meaning " village " or " settlement ". In 1535, indigenous inhabitants of the present - day Quebec City region used the word to direct French explorer Jacques Cartier towards the village of Stadacona. Cartier later used the word Canada to refer not only to that particular village, but also the entire area subject to Donnacona ( the chief at Stadacona ); by 1545, European books and maps had begun referring to this region as Canada.

 Ottawa is the capital of Canada. One third of its people are French - speaking. Ottawa is the capital of Canada and is located on the banks of the Ottawa, Rideau and Gatineau rivers. Canada ’ s fourth - largest city is a complementary blend of urban and rural lifestyles, old and new neighborhoods, culture and heritage, business and government. Ottawa also has a high standard of living reflected in a multitude of accessible services, vibrant entertainment, exciting recreational activities, and thriving businesses.

 The red and white Canadian flag shows a leaf of the maple tree, which grows in North America. The maple leaf is the official emblem of Canada. The official ceremony inaugurating the new Canadian flag was held on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on February 15, 1965, with Governor General Georges Vanier, Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson, the members of the Cabinet and thousands of Canadians in attendance.

 Early settlers are represented by the three royal lions of England, the royal lion of Scotland, the harp of Ireland and the fleur - de - lis of France.  The lion of England holds the British flag.  The unicorn of Scotland holds the flag of Royal France.  The bottom has the fleur - de - lis ( France ), the shamrock ( Ireland ), the thistle ( Scotland ), and the rose ( England ).

Uniquely Canadian symbols are maple leaf, maple syrup, beaver, loon, Canada goose, Crown and the officer of Gendarmer ie.

In particular, the maple leaf is used as a Canadian national symbol from XVIII century, and is depicted on the old flag of Canada, in its current flag, in the penny and in the arms.