Главная » 2013 Июль 24 » CANADA
17:26 CANADA | |
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three
territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends
from the Atlantic to the Pacific and northward into the Arctic Ocean.
Canada is the world's second-largest country by total area, and its
common border with the United States is the world's longest land border
shared by the same two countries. The land that is now Canada has been inhabited for millennia by various Aboriginal peoples. Beginning in the late 15th century, British and French colonial expeditions explored, and later settled, the region's Atlantic coast. France ceded nearly all of its colonies in North America to the United Kingdom in 1763 after the French and Indian War, which was essentially the North American theatre of the Seven Years' War. In 1867, with the union of three British North American colonies through Confederation, Canada was formed as a federal dominion of four provinces. This began an accretion of provinces and territories and a process of increasing autonomy, culminating in the Canada Act 1982. Canada is a federal state governed as a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy, with Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state. The country is officially bilingual and multicultural at the federal level, with a population of approximately 35 million as of 2013. Canada's advanced economy is one of the largest in the world, relying chiefly upon its abundant natural resources and well-developed trade networks, especially with the United States, with which it has had a long and complex relationship. Canada's two official languages are Canadian English and Canadian French. Official bilingualism is defined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Official Languages Act, and Official Language Regulations; it is applied by the Commissioner of Official Languages. English and French have equal status in federal courts, Parliament, and in all federal institutions. Citizens have the right, where there is sufficient demand, to receive federal government services in either English or French, and official-language minorities are guaranteed their own schools in all provinces and territories. English and French are the first languages of 59.7 and 23.2 percent of the population respectively. Approximately 98 percent of Canadians speak English or French: 57.8 percent speak English only, 22.1 percent speak French only, and 17.4 percent speak both. The English and French official-language communities, defined by the first official language spoken, constitute 73.0 and 23.6 percent of the population respectively. Capital – Ottawa Type of Government – Monarchy, officially, Canada is a part of the UK, so, the Queen Elizabeth II is also the Queen of Canada. National day – Canada Day (1 July), The Birthday of the British Queen is also a holiday. Canada Flag: The Maple Leaf is a symbol of Canada. The red colour symbolises courage. National sport – hockey. Canada won the Hockey World Championship 24 times. Canada has 14 provinces. Largest cities Winnipeg, Vancouver, Quebec City Nickname – the country of lakes and mountains National symbols : polar bears and the Royal Police Officers Canada is famous for: - its size, it is the 2nd largest country in the world after Russia. - Beautiful nature and landscape, National Parks cover more than a half of Canadian territory. Banff National Park is the largest National Park in the world, it is so vast that all Europe can fit in. - Niagara Falls, the biggest tourist attraction, 50m high, the highest vertical waterfall in the world - Outdoor sport , there are many ski resorts, popular activities include – fishing, hunting, swimming - Bear Lake – the 2nd largest lake in the world after Baikal Rideau Canal in Ottawa is the largest skating rink in the world. It is 8 km long - Polar bears are a common sight in many Canadian regions. - Many cars in Canada have number plates in a shape of a bear -Canadian police officers are famous for their colourful uniform | |
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