Canada - “village/settlement”

Sparsely populated landmass Canada has approximately 33 million people. World’s 2 nd largest country at nearly 3.7 million square miles. Harsh climatic conditions 80% of Canadians live within 100 miles of the U.S. border.

Canadian Rockies

A brief history of Canada “First Nations” such as the Iroquois, Cree, and Inuit settled this land. Leif Eriksen and the Vikings were the first Europeans and were the first to settle temporarily here in 1000 AD. Henry Hudson unsuccessfully sought the Northwest Passage. French explorers such as Jacque Cartier and Robert de LaSalle settled the eastern river valleys.

A brief history of Canada By the 1600’s the English vied with French fur trappers for settlements above the St. Lawrence. The French and Indian War , won by the British and American colonists would prevent French control of much of America and force them into settlements north of the St. Lawrence.

Canada becomes independent In 1867, The British gave the Canadians independence of a part of what today is Canada. Canada enlarged over the last 140 years to include 10 provinces and 3 territories.

Nunavut

People of Canada 41% mixed European –German, Scandinavian, Slavic, Italian 28% British –English, Scots, Welsh, Irish 23% French 6% Asian –Chinese, Indian, Pakistani, Arab 1% First Nation –Cree, Inuit, Athapaskan

Religion 42% Catholic –Primarily in the East/Quebec 23% Protestant –United Church, Anglican, Lutheran, Baptist 4.4% Other Christian 2% Muslim

Inuit Christian Church (Northwest Territories)

Languages 60% English 23% French –Officially bi-lingual – % other –Chinese, Portuguese, Arabic, German, Hindi, Inuit, Cree

Government Part of the Commonwealth of Great Britain –Loyalty to the Queen but not controlled by Confederation/Parliamentary Democracy –Capital in Ottawa Prime Minister –Stephen Harper (2006) 2 party system –Labour and Conservative

Toronto million

Montreal – 3.2 million (the 2 nd largest French speaking city in the world!

Quebec City – 685,000 “A little of Europe in North America”

Vancouver 1.8 million “A Northwest Pacific Paradise” Port to Asian goods

Other Major Cities Ottawa (the nation’s capital) Edmonton, Alberta (Canada’s oil center) Calgary, Alberta (Ranching capital) Winnipeg, Manitoba (the nation’s rail hub) Iqaluit -(capital of the enormous Nunavut province, and less than 30,000 people!)

Economy of Canada Fishing –Atlantic Provinces (Grand Banks) Timber –Yukon, British Columbia Gold and other minerals –Yukon, Northwest Territories Manufacturing –Ontario and Quebec Oil –Alberta Province Member of NAFTA International Trade –Vancouver

Sports! Hockey – the national pastime! Ice skating Skiing Major League Franchises –Many NHL teams –CFL / Canadian Football League –NBA – Toronto Raptors –MLB – Toronto Blue Jays –