Canada

Area Information

Canada is the biggest country in North America and the second biggest in the World, in terms of geographic size. It has borders with the United States and the Atlantic, the Pacific, and the Arctic oceans. Consisting of ten provinces and three territories, the country is a federal democratic state. It is governed as a constitutional monarchy, with Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state. Two languages are official at a national level: French and English. The geographical landscape of the country is diverse, including forests, more than thirty thousand lakes, and potentially active volcanoes. A large part of Canada’s Arctic territories is covered by ice.

Business Information

Canada has one of the world’s most advanced and largest globalized economies. Relying upon its natural resources, it is one of the top trading nations in the world. Major industries in the country are service, logging, petroleum, manufacturing, automotive, mining, and the export of energy. The service industry is the largest employer in the country, with three quarters of the workforce. The biggest companies in Canada include Toronto-Dominion Bank, Bank of Nova Scotia, Royal Bank of Canada, Barrick Gold, Suncor Energy, and Imperial Oil. Canada offers a diverse selection of office space throughout the country.

Entertainment And Dining Out

Visiting Canada offers interesting experiences, such as Bear or Whale Watching. Various festivals and events are held each year, as a celebration of the cultural heritage of the country. Spring marks the beginning of the Canadian music festival season, while fall is a time for holding literary and film events. In winter, Canadians and their families visit ski resorts, to practice skiing, snowboarding and hockey. Except for a few exceptions (maple syrup, Nanaimo bars, butter tarts, beaver tails, etc.), there aren’t many foods recognized as typically national in English Canada. On the other hand, French-Canadian cuisine represents a mixture between tradition, French and English-speaking North American influences. Larger cities offer a great variety of ethnic food from Europe, Asia and the rest of the world. For instance, Montreal is famous for its Jewish specialties, while the Prairie Provinces – offer Ukrainian gastronomic twists.

Transport Information

Many of Canada’s bigger cities (such as Montreal, Vancouver and Toronto) have their own airports. The country has two national air carriers – Air Canada and WestJet, covering its entirety, as well as many international destinations. Driving to Canada is only possible through the border crossing points with the United States of America. The American Amtrak services provide connections between New York and Toronto, New York and Montreal, as well as between Seattle and Vancouver. Once inside Canada the national rail service Via Rail might be used. Bus companies, such as Greyhound, also offer connections between major Canadian and American cities. Entering Canada by boat is also an option by using the available ferry services and cruises from America.