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INTRODUCTION AND GEOGRAPHY

Canada is a vast country - the second largest country in the world after Russia. Canada encompasses territory from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from the high Arctic to the northern border of the continental U.S.A. Although very much a "northern" country the terrain and geography of Canada is very diverse. As well as the popular image of Canada as a country of pristine forests and snowy vistas, there are also deserts and badlands, temperate rain forests and long and wide beaches. Canada has huge inland lakes, seemingly eternal prairies and evergreen forests, woodlands and meadows. Canada's coastlines are thousands of miles long, with fjords, and long, wild rivers leading to the oceans.

In contrast to the expanses of open country, Canada also has its share of urban areas. The majority of the population and heavy industry is in the two provinces of Québec and Ontario, but large and modern cities are spread across the land from the Atlantic to the Pacific, all within a few hours drive, at most, from the border with the United States. Commerce is active throughout the country, Vancouver in the west and Halifax in the east are both major ports with trade to every corner of the world. Alberta is a major oil and gas producer. The Prairie Provinces (Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan) with their vast fields of grain help to feed the world. The fisheries on both the West and the East Coast are widespread. Oil and natural gas have recently been discovered off the East Coast. The Trans-Canada Highway links the country from coast to coast, there is an extensive network of railways, and a widespread network of airline routes serving both major and remote communities.

The rural areas are less populated, with more and more people leaving for the larger towns and cities. The lands to the north are much less developed, but as some of these areas are utilized for their ample natural resources, populations are growing.

CLIMATE

Skiing in the Canadian Rocky Mountains

Although Canada is known for long and cold winters, this is good news for those who enjoy being outdoors in the snow. Canada has opportunities for winter sports and activities that are unsurpassed. The summers can be fairly hot in many areas, though with so many lakes, rivers and coastal regions, there is a huge variety of summer recreational possibilities to help beat the heat. The West Coast of British Columbia tends to have much milder winters than the rest of the country, and very pleasant moderate summer temperatures.

	Fall Colours in New Brunswick

Depending on the location, spring arrives in Canada between March and May and is always the start of new growth, and cause for celebrating the end of the winter and a new beginning. Days are long and often comfortably warm. Whatever part of the country you are in, the fall brings magnificent colours, cooler but still very pleasant days, and attractions tend to be less crowded.

CULTURAL ORIGINS

As well as having a varied geography and demographics, nowhere seems to be as culturally diverse as Canada. Canada encourages its citizens to remember and to celebrate their cultural heritage, no matter where they or their ancestors came from. This means that Canada has a wonderful cultural mosaic from which to draw on. This is manifested in the great variety of cultural and ethnic events and festivals held year round throughout the country. Perhaps because Canadian citizens are encouraged to remember their origins, it is sometimes difficult for people who live within Canada to see themselves as purely Canadian, and a lot of people pose the question "What exactly is it that makes Canadians Canadian?" Some say Canada's true identity lies in its diversity, that it is this mosaic that makes Canada unique. In the last thirty years mass immigration has taken place from all over the world, rather than mainly from Europe and the United States as it had in the past. This has led to even more cultural diversity than before. Of course for the visitor, this only adds to the attraction of a trip to Canada.

HISTORY

Though Canada's history has been relatively short, (Canada was only actually founded in 1867) it has certainly been eventful. Canadians are fascinated by their past and this is reflected in the many historical sites throughout the country. In Central and Eastern Canada, amongst other factors, the history entails the early struggles of the first European settlers, and of how the two major cultural groups of the time (British and French) overcame their differences and were able to build a great nation together. In today's highly charged political arena, with on-going talk of Québec independence, this earlier relationship is too often forgotten. The history of Central and Eastern Canada is also very much tied in with the American Revolution, when thousands of people loyal to the British crown crossed the border and settled in these areas in order to remain under British rule. The struggle with the United States continued until after the war of 1812, and this part of Canada's history can be seen in the many historic sites from this period.

Early Settler Bringing Wood to a Village, Northwest Territories

For the whole of Canada, the history is also largely reflected in adaptation to the forces of nature and climate. In Atlantic Canada the ocean has played a very significant role in the history and culture of the area. In Western Canada much of its history revolves around the building of the railway westwards, while this brought progress and development to, and even helped create many communities, a lot of sacrifice and challenges were necessary for the railway to be completed. The history of Western Canada is also synonymous with the growth and development of the Hudson Bay Company that started off in the fur trade, and was responsible for the discovery and later habitation of many places. Similarly the North West Mounted Police (now part of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police) helped form and develop the west and in undertaking this, the legend of the 'Mounties' was born. Throughout the country, it is interesting to see how the laws and even the mores of earlier times have shaped today's society.

One cannot mention the history of Canada, without reference to its indigenous peoples. Their history began thousands of years before the first European settlers. Throughout Canada you can learn about the cultures of these people and their contribution to Canada. Regrettably the people that came to settle what became Canada did not appreciate much of the aboriginal culture and traditions. When you visit some of the indigenous historic sites, you will realize how developed and organized these societies were, long before the arrival of Europeans. There is much to be learned from their way of life and the innovative ways they made their livelihood.

REGIONS

Canada is so large that it would take many visits in order to see everything. For the first time visitor it is probably best to choose one or two regions of interest and concentrate on those. Each region is totally unique and shows the visitor a completely different perspective of Canadian life. At the same time, every region maintains a high standard of facilities for the visitor, and whatever part of Canada you are in, the visitor is valued and welcomed, and treated to world-renowned Canadian hospitality.

Eastern Canada

	Lighthouse at Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia

The Atlantic provinces of Eastern Canada are New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.), Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador. Not including Newfoundland and Labrador, this group of provinces is also known as The Maritimes. Here the ocean and the land almost seem to blend, so strongly has the sea influenced the culture and history of these provinces. The region has endless miles of beautiful rugged coastline and great beaches. There are many cultural and historical sites of interest here, Peggy's great Celtic music and arts, colourful green countryside and excellent seafood. Enjoy the picturesque port city of Halifax, with one of the finest natural harbours in the world. Experience the wild beauty of Newfoundland and Labrador's Gros Morne National Park. Take a trip across the longest covered bridge in the world at Hartland, New Brunswick. Visit the places that inspired Lucy Maud Montgomery when she wrote Anne of Green Gables, and see the museum dedicated to this work at Park Corner, Prince Edward Island.

Québec

Chau Frontenac, Québec City, Québec

Although every part of Canada is unique, Québec is particularly so. Obviously this is largely because of the French heritage. Although the French settled many parts of Canada, nowhere is the presence of French-Canadian culture so evident as it is in this beautiful province. This is reflected in more than buildings and institutions, Québec has an atmosphere and a feeling that can be experienced nowhere else. The great St Lawrence River that cuts through the province provides much in the way of attractions for the visitor. From the beautiful Gaspé Peninsula where you can go whale watching (one of several places for this in the province) to the world famous view of the Québec City skyline, that is best seen from the river. Québec has a multitude of different sights and attractions. See the great forests and national and provincial parks and reserves, and the incredible fjords of the Saguenay River. Québec's two major cities, Montréal and Québec City are both splendid, with a multitude of novel cultural attractions and festivals, a well-preserved history, and a sophistication, that in North America is hard to match.

Ontario

Ontario is in the centre of Canada, and also is the centre for Federal Government, much of the economy and the arts. Apart from geographic location, Ontario has a much larger concentration of population and heavy industry than other parts of the country so its domination is understandable (though other centres are now challenging this). Toronto the largest city in Canada is here, and this is also considered to be one of the finest cities anywhere. The beautiful capital Ottawa is also in Ontario as is the world famous Niagara Falls. Just these three places alone make Ontario one of the most heavily visited areas in the country. But there is considerably more to Ontario than these this. In contrast to the urban areas there is a lot of open countryside with many different types of landscape, from vineyards in the south to unspoiled wilderness in the north. The northwestern part of the province has countless beautiful lakes, and rich and lush forests. Algonquin Provincial Park to the west of Ottawa is a great canoeing destination, and has some beautiful beaches on its lakes. Four out of five of the Great Lakes have part of their shore in Ontario, so a lot of the province has scenic lakeside views and beaches close by.

Skyline of Toronto, Ontario

The Prairie Provinces

	Grain Elevators, Saskatchewan

The Prairie Provinces include Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. These provinces are sometimes referred to as "the world's bread basket" and provide wheat and other grains to feed millions of people. The seemingly endless miles of grain fields, with the skyline only interrupted by the occasional grain elevator, certainly provide a spectacular landscape, something that will not be easily forgotten. There are large inland lakes with great beaches, such as Lake Winnipeg in Manitoba, and Lake La Ronge in Saskatchewan, and these have excellent fishing opportunities too. In the prairie provinces are big, bustling cities, such as Calgary which holds the world famous Calgary Stampede, Edmonton with the world's largest shopping mall and Winnipeg home to the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. The many smaller communities have developed a unique lifestyle and a particular appreciation for area history and culture, and welcome and very much delight in visitors. These Provinces also have miles of forest, woodland and parkland and a large variety of wildlife. Visit Prince Albert National Park in Saskatchewan, and Riding Mountain National Park and Hecla Island Provincial Park in Manitoba. In Manitoba you can even take a train or fly north to Churchill on the Hudson Bay, and see polar bears or watch beluga whales.

The Canadian Rockies

The Canadian Rockies consists of the southwestern corner of Alberta and the southeastern corner of British Columbia. People come from all over the world to experience their splendour. While there are many beautiful mountain ranges in the world, none can compare to the Rockies in terms of big skies, huge majestic peaks, and evergreen forests that go on forever. Here you can truly experience being at one with nature, and feel that you are the only person for miles around. Summer or winter the Canadian Rockies always have a multitude of attractions. The skiing here is phenomenal, and there are a large variety of resorts to choose from, and no matter what your skill level is there is a ski area to fit your needs. These resorts include Sunshine, Fernie and Panorama, to name but a few. In summer you can hike the many miles of mountain trails and absorb the beauty of the area.

	Jasper National Park, Alberta

A large part of the Canadian Rockies is divided up by different National Parks. The most famous of these are Banff National Park and Jasper National Park in the Alberta Rockies. Each has a townsite of the same name and these are well equipped with all sorts of accommodations from deluxe hotels to simple campsites, excellent shopping and museums, galleries and theatres. For visitors who prefer to be a little more away from it all, there are plenty of more isolated places with a good range of facilities. The British Columbia side of the Rockies has resorts and many of the same types of attractions as the Alberta side, but has a totally different atmosphere. It is more sheltered on this side and the weather tends to be warmer. In summer you can go White Water Rafting out of the town of Golden, or in fall attend Octoberfest in Kimberley.

British Columbia

Okanagan Vineyards, British Columbia

The province of British Columbia has it all. There is a very wide range of types of country here. The City of Vancouver has a stunning location, situated right on the coast with a lovely backdrop of high mountain peaks. There is a countless selection of things to see and do in this city. The shopping is excellent including some great markets, and there are fine museums and galleries and some noteworthy parks. The other major city here is the provincial capital Victoria. This is said by some to be a little bit of England in Canada. Not to be missed here is Butchart Gardens one of the great gardens of the world, and the Royal British Columbia Museum.

Vancouver Island has some of the finest ocean beaches anywhere including Long Beach on the West Coast. North of Vancouver is the world famous ski resort of Whistler. Inland is the glorious Okanagan region with magnificent inland lakes and some of the best golfing you can find. The B.C. Rockies area in the east of the province has already been mentioned. In the north of the province are tall mountains and a coastline that includes the renowned Inside Passage which goes through lush temperate rain forests, past rocky islands and spectacular fjords. You can take a cruise here, from Port Hardy on the North of Vancouver Island to Prince Rupert, just below the border with Alaska. You can also visit the Queen Charlotte Islands, home to the Haida Indians, famous for their totem poles.

Northern Canada

	Igloo in Nunavut

Northern Canada offers a completely different perspective and to visit here is to experience a part of Canada that is a world of its own. The three territories that make up this region are the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Yukon has the easiest access and is on the Alaska Highway. The communities of Whitehorse and Dawson City have an interesting history going back to the days of the great Klondike Gold Rush. The Northwest Territories have some highway access, but most long-distance travel is by aircraft. Nunavut used to a part of the Northwest Territories but was recently formed into a new territory. It is totally isolated from the rest of the country except by aircraft. It is this relative isolation though, that helps make Northern Canada such a great place to visit.

	Polar Bear, Northwest Territories

The variety of wildlife here is unsurpassed and the many rivers and ocean coastline are clean and pure and great for fishing. Cultural events are held all over, and you can visit any number of communities and be warmly welcomed, and asked to join in the lives of the people who live here. The administrative centres of Yellowknife and Iqaluit while large in comparison to other communities in the territories, are certainly not big cities, so they still offer the advantages of any small town and are good places to serve as a base for your visit. You can visit Arctic tundra or alpine plains, and some of Canada's finest parks are here including Nahanni National Park, that is a favourite location for white-water rafting. At the northern tip of Baffin Island is Ellesmere Island National Park Reserve. There are two natural phenomena that you can experience in Canada's north. One of them is the midnight sun - in mid-summer here it never gets dark, there are various festivals held at this time to celebrate this. The other one can be experienced best between late August and January and this is the Aurora Borealis also known as the Northern Lights.