Canada is situated on the North American Continent and it borders only with the United States. Canada is surrounded by three of four oceans – the Pacific in the west, the Atlantic in the east and the North Arctic ocean in the north.

Canada is second largest country in the world, but it has only about 25 million citizens because of the cold in the northern regions.

Canada is a federation which consists of 10 states and 3 territories. States which are situated in the southern part are (from west to east): British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia. Territories, again from west to east, are: Yukon Territory, Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Each province has its own flag to represent it.

Canada has 2 official languages because of its history. English is used mostly in the west and French language is spoken mainly in the east.


History

The first settlers came to Canada 25 000 years b.C. In 1605 the French built the first settlement for the Europeans. In 1778 west canadian coast was joined to Great Britain. In 1949 last province Newfounland became part of the Canadian federation. Canada is still part of the Commonwealth.


Politics

The head of Canada is a British queen Elisabeth II., but the most important politician is the prime minister of Canada. Every province has its own parliament but they have a state parliament as well. It resides in Ottawa, the capital of Canada, although it isn´t the biggest city. The biggest city is Toronto. (Other big cities: Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary, Edmonton, Quebec)


Geography

Canada isn´t very hilly country. Hills are only in the west – Coast mountains and Rocky mountains. Both are part of Kordillers. The highest mountain is Mount Robson with the altitude 3954 meters above the sea level. Hills are placed only from Saskatchewan to British Columbia. Other part creates one big lowland. Canada has many big rivers, for example Yukon, Nelson or Mackenzie, which are very watery thanks to the big amount of snow from the Kordillers.


Economy

Canada is one of the biggest exporters of wheat. They export oil as well, mostly to the United States. Canada belongs to the most developed states in the world.