CANADA FROM A-Z

"A mari usque ad mare" -"From sea even unto sea"

Facts about Canada for each letter of the alphabet.
Click on the highlighted word for more information.

A IS FOR AGRICULTURE, AMISH, ARCHAEOLOGY, & ARCTIC

• AGRICULTURE is a large part of the history and culture of Canada & is one of the most high tech industries in the country. Products include wheat, barley, oilseed, tobacco, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, forest products, and fish. Agricultural fairs, festivals & exhibitions are held throughout the country, and there is an Agriculture in the Classroom Program. The Agriculture Museum has exhibitions, special programs for children, a working dairy barn, small animal barn, horse and cattle barn. The Canadian Rural Partnership provides help and information to people in rural areas.

• The Amish way of life largely revolves around working and socializing together as a family and community. There are several Amish communities in Ontario

• The Archaeological Survey of Canada is the ARCHAEOLOGY division of the Canadian Bureau of Civilization. The land of the Arctic is called "Tundra" which means barren land in Finish. This region of the earth lies north of the treeline, the point where the weather is too cold for trees to grow.

B IS FOR BIRDS, BRIDGES, & BYWAYS

• Canada has hundreds of species of BIRDS including aquatic birds. A few of the species are endangered. The National Bird of Canada is the Common Loon. Each Province has an official bird. The Canadian Wildlife Service is working with Partners in Flight to build a national conservation program. The Canadian geese have been featured on postage stamps. The Arctic Tern spends three months in the Arctic and three months in the antarctic and six months in flight. Canada has bird observatories and bird refuges.

• BRIDGES can be found throughout Canada including 87 Suspension Bridges some of which are still in use. There are covered bridges throughout Canada, and New Brunswick has sixty-four. Skytrail is the longest pedestrian bridge in the country. Confederation Bridge is the longest bridge over ice-covered water in the world.

• There are many scenic BYWAYS in Canada including Icefields Parkwayin Alberta, & Crowsnest Pass. A scenic alternative to the Trans-Canada Highway is Yellowhead Highway. The Bridges for Canada Program is a project between Trans Canada Trail Foundation and Canadian Military Forces to build the longes trail in the world.

C IS FOR CAPITAL, COMMUNICATION, & CURRENCY

• Ottawa is the CAPITAL of Canada. Each province and territory has its own capital. Ottawa is called the Tulip Capital of North America and has an annual Tulip Festival.

Canada has all forms of COMMUNICATION including newspapers, radio, television, telephone, and internet. There are several Telephone Area Codes in the country. All of the Provinces in Canada have Internet Service Providers, and Webcams are located across the country.

The official CURRENCY of Canada is the Canadian dollar. The Royal Canadian Mint has been making coins for Canada and the rest of the world since 1908. The Bank of Canada Currency Museum has the largest collection of Canadian bank notes, coins, and tokens in the world. D IS FOR DAMS & DINOSAUR

• Canada has many DAMS including hydroelectric dams. The Canadian Dam Association works to insure the safe operation of dams in Canada.

• Drumheller is known at the DINOSAUR capital of the World. In 1994 a Tyrannosaurus Rex dinosaur skeleton was uncovered in the providence of Saskatchwa - one of the few ever found. The Royal Tyrell Museum of Paleontology in Dumheller, Alberta, contains the world's largest display of complete dinosaur skeletons. In 2001 the 17,000-year-old bones of a black bear were found in a cave of the Queen Charlotte Islands.

E IS FOR EARTHQUAKES, EDUCATION, & EVENTS

• Canada has about 1,500 EARTHQUAKES each year. The Pacific Coast is the most earthquake-prone region in the country. The largest earthquake in Canada was in 1949 on Queen Charlotte Islands.

• The Canadian public school system provides free EDUCATION. Each province decides what will be taught and teacher qualifications. In most provinces, children usually start school at age six and continue until they are sixteen.

• Canada has many Festivals and EVENTS during the year. The country celebrates Public Holidays and other special days including Victoria Day, Canada Day, and Boxing Day. The Provinces and Territories have their own special days. June 21 is National Aboriginal Day.

F IS FOR FLAG, FLOWERS, & FORESTS

• The National FLAG of Canada is red and white, the national colors. It has a red maple leaf on a white square with a red bar on each side. The maple leaf is the most prominent national symbol, and the maple tree is the national tree. Each Province and Territory has its own flag.

• Many species of FLOWERS grow in Canada. The country does not have a national flower, but the rose is commonly used on emblems as a symbol of England, while a stylized lily, or fleur-de-lis, represents France. Each province and territory has an official flower.

• Nearly half of Canada is covered by FORESTS. There are 15 terrestrial ecozones containing forest types. The Great Bear Rainforest in the western part of the country is the largest temperate rainforest in the world. The sugar maple tree figures in many symbols, including the maple leaf on the national flag. The provinces and territories of Canada have tree emblems.

G IS FOR GLOBAL POSITION & GREAT SEAL

• The GLOBAL POSITION of Canada ranges from 42 degrees north latitude to 133 degrees west latitude. It is the second largest country in the world and extends across the continent of North America from Newfoundland on the Atlantic coast to British Columbia on the Pacific coast. The United states is to the south and the Arctic Ocean is to the north. The border between Canada and the United States is the longest unguarded border in the world, and there are eight thousand monuments and reference points along the border. The magnetic north pole is located in the Canadian Arctic and Canada has land access to the North Pole. Geocaching is a treasure hunt using a Global Positioning Finder. Canada has geocaches located throughout the country.

• The GREAT SEAL of Canada is used on all state documents. The seal dates back to the beginning of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II and bears her likeness. The inscriptions are in French and English which are the official languages of Canada.

H IS FOR HEALTH CARE & HISTORIC SITES

• Canada has one of the best HEALTH CARE systems in the world. All Canadians have access to a national health care system. Most people over 65 receive free medical care. One of Canada's greatest medical achievements was the discovery of insulin.

• Canada has nearly 850 HISTORIC SITES including forts, Thule villages, and religious sites. The Alexander Graham Bell Historic Site has models, photo display, artifacts, and films that describe his life.

I IS INDUSTRIES, INSECTS, & ISLANDS

• INDUSTRIES include petroluem, manufacturing, financial services, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, aerospace, and defense. The large size of Canada has influenced creation of one of the biggest transportation industries in the world.

• Canada has over 35,000 species of INSECTS including flies, beetles, bees, ants, and fleas. There are also butterflies including the bird-winged butterfly which is the largest butterfly in the world. Less than 1% of the insects are considered harmful. The Canadian National Collection of Insects, Arachnids, and Nematods is considered on of the best collections in the world for its size. The University of Guelph Insect Collection is the oldest insect collection in Canada.

• Canada has many large ISLANDS. The largest is Baffin Island in Nunavet. The Gulf Islands in British Columbia have over a dozen islands. The Canadian Arctic Islands are the least accessible place in Canada. Manitoulin Island in Lake Huron is the largest freshwater island in the world.

J IS FOR JAZZ

• JAZZ is a popular form of music in Canada and there are many Jazz Festivals. The Ottawa International Jazz Festival features jazz artists from across the country and around the world. There is a radio station that plays only jazz.

K IS FOR KANATA, KARST, & KILOMETERS

• The name Canada came from word KANATA which means village in the Huron language. Many of the earliest place names in Canada come from aboriginal sources. Nova Scotia was a major destination for Scottish settlers and its name means New Scotland. Eskimos lived in Canada for thousands of years and prefer to be called Inuit.

• Canada has KARST, caves, and caverns. An abundance of karst is found in British Columbia. Upana Caves has a self-guided tour of 15 semi-developed wild caves. Collingwood Scenic Caves is a Nature Preserve located at the highest point of the Niagra escarpment. Lafleche has the largest cave of the Canadian Shielf. Bruce Caves has unique formations. Horn Lake Caverns on Vancouver Island offers tours.

• Canada uses kilometers to measure distances. The country uses the metric system for other measurements.

L IS FOR LAKES, LIBRARIES, & LIGHTHOUSES

• Each area of Canada has principal lakes and there are many. The deepest is Great Slave Lake and the highest is Chico Lake. Great Bear Lake is the largest freshwater lake entirely within Canada. The country shares the Great Lakes with the USA including Lake Superior which is the largest lake in the world. Great Slave Lake is the second largest lake in Canada and the deepest lake in North America.

• Public LIBRARIES are located in nearly every community in Canada. The National Library promotes the use of library resources in the country. Most Universities and Colleges have a library. The government has libraries.
• The history of LIGHTHOUSES in Canada dates back to the 1700s. The country has the longest coastline in the world and there are many lighthouses and lightstations.

M IS FOR MINERALS, MONEY, MOUNTAINS & MUSEUMS

• Canada is one of the largest producers and exporters of many MINERALS. It is one of the world's largest producers of uranium and the world's largest nickel deposits are at Sudbury. Large deposits of OIL exist in several places in the country. The Oil Sands at Fort McMurray, Alberta, probably contain more than half the oil reserves in the world. The oil pipe line from Edmonton runs across Canada and is the largest in the world. The Gem and Mineral Federation of Canada promotes earth sciences.

• Canada has many MOUNTAINS and there are several mountain ranges including, Torngats, Appalachians, Laurentians, Rockies, Coastal, Mackenzie, St. Elias, and the Pelly Mountains. Mt. Logan in the Yukon is the tallest peak in the country.

  Canada has hundred of MUSEUMS and War Memorials. The National War Memorial is located in Ottawa and represents all branches of the service. The Naval Memorial bears the names of officers and men lost or buried at sea. There is also a Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

N IS FOR NATIONAL PARKS, & NATIVE

• Canada has hundred of NATIONAL PARKS. Yaho Nationa Park and Tuktut Nogait National Park are UNESCO National Heritage Sites. Jasper National Park is the largest of the four Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks.

• The only NATIVE people in Canada are the Indians since all other Canadians were originally immigrants. The country has many Tribes, Nations, and Bands. Some tribes are known as First Nations, and most of them live on reserves. In 1999 a new territory was created called Nunavut which means "Our Land" in Inuktitut. This area is divided into six regions. Several tribes live in the subarctic region. The Dogrib tribe, also known as the Tlicho First Nation, is a new territory. It is self-ruled and covers over 15,000 square miles of land in Canada's sparsely populated north.

O IS FOR OBSERVATORIES & CEANS

Canada has OBSERVATORIES and planetariums and magnetic observatories . An astroid was named after Saint Mary's University Burke-Gaffney Observatory.
• Canada is surrounded on three sides by oceans. The Atlantic OCEAN is to the east, the Pacific Ocean to the West, and the Arctic Ocean to the North. The Labrador Sea is to the Northeast, and the Beaufort Sea is to the North. Canada has the longest coastland of any country.The highest tides in the world occur in the Bay of Fundy on the south coast of New Brunswick. The US Geological Survey provides information on why the ocean is salty

P IS FOR PARKS, POPULATION, PROVINCES

• Canada has 39 National PARKS The country also has National Park Reserves, National Marine Conservation Areas, & over 1,000 Provincial Parks. In area Canada has the largest National Parks system in the world. The smallest park is the St. Lawrence Island Park. The oldest park is historic Banff in the Canadian Rockies. Cayquot Sound in the Pacific Rim National Park has been declared a United Nations Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. The Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park is an international cooperation between Canada and the United States. Canada has many Amusement and Theme Parks/

• The POPULATION of Canada is over thirty-one million and the country has more than 150 ethnic groups. Although it is the largest country in area in the world, Canada is the most sparsely populated. Twenty to thirty percent of the population lives in rural areas. Multiculturalism was officially recognized with the Multiculturalism Act. The aboriginal people who crossed the land bridge were the first inhabitants of North America. June 21 is National Aboriginal Day.

• Canada is divided into 10 PROVINCES and 3 territories. Most provinces and territories have their own symbols including flower, bird, tree, mammal, fish, stone, motto, color, coat of arms, and flag.

Q IS FOR QUEEN & QUIZ

• The QUEEN of England is the sovereign of Canada. The country is a federal multiparty parliamentry monarchy with 2 legislative houses and a Prime Minister.

• Take a map QUIZ about Canada.

R IS FOR RCMP, REPTILES, & RIVERS

• RCMP stands for Royal Canadian Mounted Police. It is Canada's national police force. The "Mounties" have a museum in Regina the capital of Saskatchawa.

• Canada has 43 species of REPTILES including freshwater and marine reptiles. The country also has 43 species of amphibians including frogs, toads, and salamanders. As many as 70,000 garter snakes make their winter hibernation home in limestone pits near Narcisse, Manitoba.

• RIVERS in Canada form extensive water networks across the country and have a rich. They flow into the Arctic Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, and Hudson Bay. The longest river is the Mackenzie River. There are 28 heritage rivers in the country. Some of the rivers are endangered. The second Sunday in June is Canadian Rivers Day.

S IS FOR SCHOONER, SEALIFE, SPACE, & SPORTS

• The Bluenose SCHOONER was launched in 1921 and is the most famous of Canadian schooners. Its likeness is on the Canadian dime and it has been featured on many Canadian postage stamps. Its home port is in Nova Scotia.

• Canada has the longest coastland of any country and the shores have many species of SEALIFE including abalone, Pacific herring and the Pacific Harbour Seal. The Intertidal Zone is alive with sealife and seaweeds. The Gully off Novia Scotia is the largest underwater canyon on the east coast of North America.
• Canada has a SPACE Program and has sent astronauts into space as part of the U.S. space program. The Canadian Space Agency has its own astonaut training program and also trains with NASA.

• Canada has many SPORTS including swimming, skiing, soccer, baseball, tennis, and hunting . Ice hockey is the National Sport.

T IS FOR TARTANS, TRANSPORTATION, & TRIBES

• Canada has several TARTANS. The country celebrates National Tartan Day on April 6. Highland Games, Festivals and Ceilidhs (an informal social gathering at which there is folk music, singing, folk dancing, and story telling) are held throughout the country. Chemainus, B.C. has been known as Scots Town. Simon Fraser University Pipe Band of Burnaby, British Columbia holds a Highland Art Festival and has a concert. Nova Scotia hosts the International Gathering of the Clans every 4 years. Quebec Thistle Council holds an awards dinner and a Tartan Day Ceilidh. The Scottish Studies Foundation and Scottish Studies Society have special events. The Victoria Joint Scottish Council in Victoria, B.C. is sponsors a Tartan Ball and a "Kirkin' o' the Tartan".

• Canada has all forms of href="http://www.civilization.ca/orch/www04l_e.html#trans">TRANSPORTATION. The Canadian Pacific Railway a& the Trans-Canada Highway both run across the country from coast-to-coast. The highway is the longest in the world. Major airports are located throughout the country. Trains carry goods to every provindes except Prince Edward Island. Each area of Canada has local and suburban transportation.

U IS FOR UNESCO & UNITED NATIONS

• The United Nations Educational and Cultural Organization UNESCO protects natural and cultural properties around the world. Canada has 13 UNESCO World Heritage sites & several UNESCO Biosphere Reserves.

• Canada is a full member of the UNITED NATIONS General Assembly. The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights was developed and shaped (in part) by Canadian John Peters Humphrey. The United Nations Association in Canada provides information about the United Nations.

V IS FOR VEGETATION & VOLCANOES

• Canda has several VEGETATION Regions Some of Canada in the north is so cold no vegetation can grow. The prairies are natural grassland and a lot of the area has been plowed up to grow wheat. Much of the country is covered in forests. One of the world's foremost botanical gardens is located in Montreal in the province of Quebec. The Victoria Memorial is the home of Canadian Museum of Nature.

• Canada has examples of almost every type of VOLCANO. None have erupted in recent years but the eruptions of volcanoes in other countries effect Canada. In the event of an eruption, the Canadian Meteorological Centere provides information about ash fallout.

W IS FOR WATERFALLS, WEATHER, & WILDLIFE

• Canada has many WATERFALLS. The highest is Delta Falls. The Canadian Falls are called Horseshoe Falls & are part of the famous Niagara Falls on the International border between Canada & the United States.

• The WEATHER in Canada varies from moderate to bitterly cold. Heavy rainfall between the Pacific Ocean and Coast Mountains has created rain forests.

• Many species of WILDLIFE and animals are native to Canada. The Arctic is home to the Arctic fox and Arctic hare, the Rocky Mountains has brown, black, and grizzly bears, the Plains has coyotes and beavers, and the Canadian Shield has moose and deer. The beaver is a National Emblem and was featured on the firts Canadian postage stamp. The country has several wildlife refuges. Polar bears are a special attraction at Churchill, Manitoba.

X IS FOR XMAS

• XMAS is the common abbreviation for Christmas and it is celebrated in Canada much as it is in the rest of the world.

Y IS FOR YMCA, YOUTH HOSTELS & YUKON

The YMCA in Canada serves people of all ages, backgreounds and abilities and through all states of life. The country has several YMCA camps.
• YOUTH HOSTELS are located throughout Canada. Hi-Canada is a member of the International Youth Hostel Federation. Elderhostels are located across the country.

• People have been living in the YUKON region for almost 30,000 years. In 1896 gold was discovered in Dawson City in the Klondike an area in the Yukon Territory. By 1910 more than 100 million dollars worth of gold had been taken.

Z IS FOR ZONES & ZOO

• Canada has six time zones. Time ZONES and Daylight Savings Time are usually regulated by provincial and territorial governments. The country has nine major plant hardiness zones.

• ZOOS are located throughout Canada. The Toronto Zoo is the largest zoo in the country. The oldest zoological park and home to several animal movie stars is in Bowmanville. The Papanack Park Zoo is the home of white lion cubs. Oaklawn Farm Zoo in Nova Scotia is the home of exotic and native animals.