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'''Canada''' is the second largest country in the world in land area, and the northern-most, occupying much of the [[North America]]n land mass. It is a decentralized [[federation]] of ten [[Provinces of Canada|provinces]] and three [[Territories of Canada|territories]], governed as a [[Parliamentary system|parliamentary]] [[constitutional monarchy]]. It was initially constituted through the [[British North America Acts|British North America Act of 1867]] and styled the "Dominion of Canada". The official languages of Canada are [[English language|English]] and [[French language|French]].
Actually, what I meant was, if you'd like to know something. Ask!
{{Canada infobox}}
==Overview==
Canada's capital is [[Ottawa]], home of the nation's [[Parliament of Canada|Parliament]]. It is the residence of the [[Governor General of Canada]], who exercises the personal prerogatives delegated by [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Queen Elizabeth II]], Canada's formal head of state, and the [[Prime Minister of Canada|Prime Minister]], who is the head of government.
[[User:ZackStone|ZackStone]] 17:50, 9 October 2005 (UTC)
Originally a union of former [[French colonial empire|French]] and [[British colony|British colonies]], Canada is a [[Commonwealth Realm]], and a member of both [[La Francophonie]] and the [[Commonwealth of Nations]]. Canada is officially [[Bilingualism in Canada|bilingual]]: [[Canadian French|French]] is widely spoken in the eastern provinces of [[Quebec]] and [[New Brunswick]], in Eastern [[Ontario]] and in specific communities throughout [[Atlantic Canada]] and [[Western Canada|the West]]; [[Canadian English|English]] is the majority language elsewhere with the exception of certain [[community|communities]].
Canada is a [[Technology|technologically]] advanced and [[industrialized]] nation, largely self-sufficient in [[energy]] due to its relatively large deposits of [[fossil fuel]]s, [[nuclear energy]] generation, and [[hydroelectric power]] capabilities. Its economy has traditionally relied heavily on the abundance of [[natural resource]]s and [[trade]], particularly with the [[United States]], with which it has a long, extensive relationship (''see also'' [[U.S.-Canada relations]]). Although the modern [[Economy of Canada|Canadian economy]] has become widely diversified, exploitation of natural resources remains an important driving force of many of country's regional economies.
==Name==
{{main|Canada's name}}
The name "Canada" is believed to have originated from a [[Huron]]-[[Iroquoian]] word, ''Kanata'' meaning "village" or "settlement" or "collection of huts" [http://www.canadianheritage.gc.ca/progs/cpsc-ccsp/sc-cs/o5_e.cfm], referring to Stadacona, a settlement on the site of present-day [[Quebec City]]. Maps made by early European explorers show that the name ''River Canada'' was given to the [[Ottawa River]], and the [[Saint Lawrence River]] below [[Montreal]]. A plausible hypothesis is that the river was named for the village on its banks, and the surrounding country for the river used to explore it.
==History==
[[Image:Parliament3.jpg|190px|thumb|left|The [[Parliament of Canada]] above the [[Ottawa River]] in [[Ottawa, Ontario|Ottawa]], [[Ontario]].]]
{{main|History of Canada]], [[Timeline of Canadian history}}
Present-day Canada has been inhabited by [[indigenous people|aboriginal peoples]] (known in Canada as [[First Nations of Canada|First Nations]]) for at least 10,000 years. It was first visited by [[Europe]]ans around AD [[1000]], when [[Viking]]s briefly settled at [[L'Anse aux Meadows]]. The French settled the [[St. Lawrence River|St. Lawrence]] and [[Atlantic Canada]] regions in the [[16th century|16th]] and [[17th century|17th centuries]].
France surrendered to [[Britain]] nearly all of [[New France]], including [[Acadia]] and what comprises present-day [[Quebec]] and [[Ontario]] in the [[Treaty of Paris]] of [[1763]]. Britain established the colonies of [[Nova Scotia]], [[Lower Canada]], and [[Upper Canada]]. New colonies corresponding to the present-day jurisdictions of the provinces of [[Nova Scotia]], [[New Brunswick]] and [[Prince Edward Island]] were soon formed. [[The Canadas]] were joined to form [[Province of Canada|Canada]]. [[Cape Breton]] was merged with Nova Scotia.
During and after the [[American Revolution]], many [[United Empire Loyalists|British Loyalists]] left the [[Thirteen Colonies]] to settle in Canada. Other settlers during this time of a population boom came from Europe, in particular the [[British Isles]].
On [[July 1]], [[1867]] three colonies - Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick - were granted by [[United Kingdom|Britain]] a [[constitution]], the [[British North America Act]], creating the Dominion of Canada. It consisted of the provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec (formerly Canada East), and Ontario (formerly Canada West). The term "[[Canadian confederation|Confederation]]" refers to this 1867 act of union.
Other British colonies and territories soon joined Canada: by [[1880]], Canada included all of its present area except for [[Newfoundland and Labrador]], which joined in [[1949]]. The [[Statute of Westminster 1931|Statute of Westminster]] of 1931 officially established full self-government for Canada over its affairs. Patriation of Canada's [[Constitution of Canada|constitution]] occurred in [[1982]].
In the second half of the [[20th century]], some citizens of the mainly French-speaking province of [[Quebec]] sought independence ("sovereignty") in two [[referendum]]s held in 1980 and 1995. In the [[1980 Quebec referendum|1980 referendum]] the vote against independence was 60%; in the [[1995 Quebec referendum]] the vote against independence was 50.6%. Many consider another referendum at some point in the future to be a distinct possibility.
==Geography==
{{main|Geography of Canada}}
[[Image:Rockieswater-4.jpg|thumb|The awe inspiring [[Canadian Rockies]]]]
Canada occupies the northern half of [[North America]]. It is bordered to the south by the [[contiguous United States]], separated by the [[International Boundary]], and to the northwest by [[Alaska]]. The country stretches from the [[Atlantic Ocean]] and [[Davis Strait]] in the east to the [[Pacific Ocean]] in the west; hence the country's motto. To the north lie the [[Beaufort Sea]] and [[Arctic Ocean]]. Since [[1925]], Canada has claimed the portion of the [[Arctic]] between 60 degrees west [[longitude]] and 141 degrees west longitude ([http://atlas.gc.ca/site/english/maps/historical/territorialevolution/1927/1]); that is, Canada's territorial claim extends to the [[North Pole]]. The northernmost settlement in Canada (and in the world) is Canadian Forces Station (CFS) Alert on the northern tip of Ellesmere Island -- latitude 82.5°N -- just 834 kilometres from the North Pole.
Canada is the world's second-largest country in total area, after [[Russia]], covering approximately 41% of the North American continent. Much of Canada's territory lies in [[Arctic]] regions, however, and thus Canada has only the fourth most usable land behind Russia, [[China]] and the United States. The population density in 3.2 people per square kilometre, which is extremely low compared to other countries. Eighty percent of Canadians live within 200 km of the United States along their international border, the ___location of the country's most [[temperate climate]]s. While Canada covers a larger geographic area than its nearest neighbour, it has only one-ninth its population. Vast and sparsely population, Canada has historically depended [[economics|economically]] on exporting its abundant [[natural resource]]s.
The most densely-populated part of the country is [[the Great Lakes]]-[[Saint Lawrence River]] Valley in the east. To the north of this region is the broad [[Canadian Shield]], an area of rock scoured clean by the [[Wisconsin glaciation|last ice age]], thinly soiled, rich in minerals, and gouged with lakes and rivers— over 60 percent of the world's lakes are located in Canada. The Canadian Shield encircles the immense [[Hudson Bay]].
The Canadian Shield extends to the Atlantic Coast in [[Labrador]], the mainland part of the province of [[Newfoundland and Labrador]]. The island of [[Newfoundland]], Canada's easternmost region, is at the mouth of the [[Gulf of Saint Lawrence]], the world's largest [[estuary]]. The [[Canadian Maritimes]], the first region to be settled by Europeans, protrude eastward from the southern coast of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, sandwiched between the Gulf to the north and the Atlantic to the south. The provinces of [[New Brunswick]] and [[Nova Scotia]] are divided by the [[Bay of Fundy]], an arm of the Atlantic that experiences the world's largest [[tide|tidal]] variations. [[Prince Edward Island]] is Canada's smallest province.
[[Image:CanadaMap1.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Map of Canada.]]
To the west of Ontario, the broad, flat [[Canadian Prairies]], consisting of the provinces of [[Manitoba]], [[Saskatchewan]] and [[Alberta]], spread towards the [[Rocky Mountains]], which divide the provinces of Alberta and [[British Columbia]].
Northern Canadian [[vegetation]] tapers from [[coniferous]] forests to [[tundra]] and finally to [[Arctic barren]]s in the far north. The northern Canadian mainland is ringed with a vast [[archipelago]] containing some of the largest islands on Earth.
Canada has a reputation for cold temperatures. Indeed, the [[winter]]s can be harsh in many regions of the country, with risks of [[blizzard]]s and [[ice storm]]s and temperatures reaching lows of -50°C in the far North. Southern British Columbia is an exception: it enjoys a very temperate climate with much milder winters than the rest of the country.
In the most densely populated regions, [[summer]]s range from mild to quite hot, attaining highs of well over 30°C in [[Montreal]] and 15°C even in [[Iqaluit, Nunavut]]. In [[Vancouver]], temperatures usually remain stable at around 5-25°C year round, whereas in [[Calgary]] they can drop to -30°C in the winter and attain a high of 30°C in the summer. In the Great Lakes region, the most heavily populated area in the country, temperatures can range from -30°C to 35°C. The country experiences four distinct [[seasons]].
==Politics==
{{main|Politics of Canada}}
===Federal government===
[[Image:Queen of canada.jpg|thumb|right| Her Majesty '''Queen Elizabeth II''' <br>[[Queen of Canada]], wearing the [[Order of Canada]] and [[Order of Military Merit]]]]
[[Image:Aclarkson.jpg|thumb|right| Her Excellency The Right Honourable '''Adrienne Clarkson'''<br>[[Governor General of Canada]]]]
[[Image:Paulmartin1.jpg|thumb|right| The Right Honourable '''Paul Martin''' <br /> [[Prime Minister of Canada]]]]
Canada is a [[federation]] under a system of [[parliamentary democracy]] and a [[constitutional monarchy]]. Its sovereign and [[Head of State]] is the [[Monarchy in Canada|monarch]] [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Queen Elizabeth II]], who holds the title of [[Queen of Canada]]. The prerogatives of the Head of State are exercised by the [[Governor General of Canada|Governor General]], who is generally a retired politician or other prominent Canadian appointed by the Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister of Canada. The Governor General is a non-partisan figure who fulfils mony ceremonial roles including providing Royal Assent to [[Bill (proposed law)|bills]] passed by the House of Commons and the Senate, reading the [[Speech from the Throne]], signing state documents, formally opening and ending sessions of Parliament, and dissolving Parliament for an election.
The Queen and the Governor General are primarily [[figurehead]]s, with little real power as they almost always act on the advice of Canada's [[Head of Government]], the Prime Minister.
[[Constitution of Canada|Canada's constitution]] (see [http://lois.justice.gc.ca/en/const/index.html this page for text]) governs the legal framework of the country, but has to be interpreted in light of various unwritten traditions and conventions (see [[Westminster system]]). The patriation of the constitution, with procedures for amending it, was agreed to one night in November 1981. Quebec nationalists refer to that night as [[Night of the Long Knives (1981)|The Night of the Long Knives]] - because it occurred without the consent of the province of [[Quebec]]. The agreement is also referred to as the "Kitchen Accord".
The Governor General formally appoints the [[Prime Minister of Canada|Prime Minister]], who is usually the leader of the political party that holds the most seats in the House of Commons. The Prime Minister in turn appoints the [[Cabinet of Canada|Cabinet]] drawn by convention from members of the Prime Minister's party in the House of Commons and the Senate. Executive power is exercised by the Prime Minister and Cabinet, all of whose members are sworn into the [[Privy Council of Canada]] and become Ministers of the Crown.
The legislative branch of government, the [[Parliament of Canada|Parliament]], has two houses: the elected [[Canadian House of Commons|House of Commons]] and the appointed [[Canadian Senate|Senate]]. Elections for the House of Commons are called by the Governor General on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, at his or her discretion, though they must occur no later than five years after the previous one. The federal parliament may only legislate in those areas assigned to it by the constitution.
Canada has three main national parties, the centrist [[Liberal Party of Canada]], right-wing [[Conservative Party of Canada]], and the left-wing [[New Democratic Party]] (NDP). These left-right classifications can be misleading, however, since there are numerous members in all three major parties that are "leftist" on social issues, and "rightist" on economic issues. A regional party, the [[Bloc Québécois]], holds many seats in Quebec, and promotes the [[Quebec sovereignty movement|independence of Quebec]] from Canada. Smaller parties exist, but rarely have been able to win seats in the House of Commons. Independent candidates are rarely elected ([[Chuck Cadman]] was an exception in the [[Canadian federal election, 2004|2004 election]]).
Canada has strict [[party discipline]] which gives the Prime Minister considerable control over legislation passed by Parliament, though party leaders will sometimes declare free or partly-free votes for topics they regard as issues of conscience, such as [[capital punishment]] or [[same-sex marriage]].
The Liberal Party has formed the government of Canada for 32 of the last 42 years, and is the party of the current Prime Minister [[Paul Martin]] and his predecessor [[Jean Chrétien]]. The only other party ever to have formed a government is the now-defunct [[Progressive Conservative Party of Canada|Progressive Conservative Party]], and its predecessor, the [[Conservative Party of Canada (historical)|Conservative Party]]. The PC Party merged with the [[Canadian Alliance]] to form a new "Conservative Party" in December 2003 .
Canada's [[judiciary]] plays an important role in interpreting federal, provincial and municipal laws and regulations, and has the power to amend and strike down laws. All judges at the superior, appellate and [[Supreme Court of Canada]] levels are selected and appointed by the federal government, after consultation with various non-governmental legal bodies. Judicial posts at the lowest levels with jurisdiction limited to one province or territory are filled by each provincial or territorial government. The Supreme Court of Canada is the final arbiter. (see [[Court system of Canada]] for more detail).
Canada is a member of the [[United Nations]], [[Commonwealth of Nations]], [[La Francophonie]], [[North Atlantic Treaty Organization]], the [[G8]], and [[APEC]].
===Provincial and territorial government===
{{main|Provinces and territories of Canada}}
Canada is divided into ten provinces and three territories. The provinces have a large degree of autonomy from the federal government, while the territories have somewhat less. Each has its own [[List of Canadian provincial and territorial symbols|provincial or territorial symbol]].
The provinces are responsible for most of Canada's social programs (such as [[Health_care_in_Canada|health care]], education, and welfare) and together collect more revenue than the federal government, an almost unique structure among federations in the world. The federal government can initiate national policies that the provinces can opt out of, but this rarely happens in practice. "Equalization payments" are made by the federal government to ensure that reasonably uniform standards of services and taxation are kept between the richer and poorer provinces.
Criminal law is solely the responsibility of the federal government, and crime and punishment is uniform throughout Canada. Though enforcement is a provincial responsibility, most of the provinces contract these services out to the [[Royal Canadian Mounted Police]] (RCMP). The RCMP is the only police force in the world that enforces three different levels of enforcement: municipal, provincial, and federal.
The ten provinces have unicameral, elected legislatures with governments headed by a [[premier]] who is chosen in the same fashion as the federal prime minister. Every province also has a figurehead [[lieutenant governor]] representing the Queen, appointed on the recommendation of the Prime Minister of Canada.
Most provinces' political climates include provincial counterparts to the three national federal parties. However, some provincial parties are not formally linked to the federal parties that share the same name. Some provinces have regional political parties, such as the [[Saskatchewan Party]].
The provincial political climate of Quebec is quite different, with the main split being between [[Quebec sovereignty movement|separatism]], represented by the [[Parti Québécois]], and [[Quebec federalism|federalism]], represented by the [[Parti Libéral du Québec]].
[[Image:Dawson2.jpg|350px|thumb|left|[[Dawson City, Yukon]], scene of the [[Klondike Gold Rush]].]]
The three territories have fewer political powers than provinces, having been created by acts of the national Parliament rather than having their status enshrined in the Constitution. There is no [[lieutenant governor]] to represent and fulfill the functions of the Queen of Canada. A politically-neutral commissioner is appointed by the federal government to act as the "Government of Canada's senior representative", [http://www.gov.yk.ca/commissioner/message.html Commissioner of the Yukon Territory]. Only the legislature of the [[Yukon]] territory follows the same political system as the provincial legislatures. The other two territories use a [[consensus government]] system with no parties, in which each member runs as an independent, and the premier is elected by and from the members.
Relations between the federal government and the territorial governments have been tense. Many of the disputes between the two governments have been between the usage of resources and funding. Even though the territories have the highest per capita incomes in Canada, the poverty rate in the territories has been constantly large because of isolation, the extreme difficulty and cost of supplying goods, the scarcity of jobs, and social problems.
Due to the reduced political powers, many people say that the Canadian territories have not received proper and equal representation in the Canadian Parliament. Prime Minister Martin has said that he believes the territories will eventually become provinces, although this would probably require delicate constitutional negotiations for which no timeframe has been considered. [http://www.cbc.ca/cp/world/041122/w112288.html]
==Economy==
[[Image:23723201.jpg|thumbnail|300px|right| The [[Toronto, Ontario]] skyline, Canada's most populous city, and the heart of the Canadian economy.]]
{{main|Economy of Canada]], [[Economic history of Canada}}
As an affluent, high-tech industrial society, Canada today closely resembles the United States in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. Since [[World War II]], the impressive growth of the manufacturing, mining, and service sectors has transformed the nation from a largely [[rural]] economy into one primarily industrial and urban. Energy self-sufficient, Canada has vast deposits of natural gas on the east coast and in the three western provinces, and a plethora of other natural resources. The [[1989]] Canada-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement ([[NAFTA]]) (which included Mexico) touched off a dramatic increase in trade and economic integration with the US. As a result of the close cross-border relationship, the economic downturn in the United States in 2001 had a negative impact on the Canadian economy, but less than expected. Real growth averaged nearly 3% from 1993 to 2000, but declined in [[2001]]. As of [[2003]], unemployment was up, with contraction in the manufacturing and natural resource sectors. Canada has successfully avoided economic recession after 2001 and has maintained the best economic growth rates in the [[G7]] group of nations. With its great natural resources, skilled labour force, and modern capital plant, Canada enjoys solid economic prospects.
[[Image:Chtn waterfront.jpg|300px|thumb|left|The city and harbour of [[Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island|Charlottetown]] on [[Prince Edward Island]].]]
Two shadows loom, the first being the continuing constitutional impasse between English- and French-speaking areas, which has been raising the possibility of a split in the federation. The on-going uncertainty creates confusion about who will be responsible for the Canadian debt, what trading relationships will look like, and a host of other issues. However, as fears of separation have waned, the economy has become stronger, notably in Quebec.
Another long-term concern is fears of a flow south to the US of professionals, referred to as the "Brain Drain", lured by higher pay, lower taxes, and high-tech opportunities. Simultaneously, a largely under-recognized "Brain Gain" is occurring, as educated immigrants continue to enter Canada in the late 20th and early 21st centuries [http://www.statcan.ca/english/indepth/81-003/feature/eqhi2000006003s1a01.htm]. As in many western countries, however, the benefits of this phenomenon are limited by problems with acceptance of foreign qualifications; many educated and highly skilled immigrants work in unskilled positions in Canada because their credentials are not recognized by government, employers, and some professional organizations. The Canadian Medical Association, for example, forces foreign-trained doctors to undertake extensive retraining to practise in Canada.
==Language==
{{main|Demolinguistics of Canada}}
[[image:Montreal_skyline_daytime.jpg|300px|thumb|right|The skyline of [[Montreal, Quebec]]]]
Canada's two official languages are English and French. On [[July 7]], [[1969]], French was made equal to English throughout the Canadian federal government. This started a process that led to Canada redefining itself as a [[Bilingualism in Canada|bilingual]] and [[multiculturalism|multicultural]] nation at the federal level.
New Brunswick is the only officially bilingual province, a status specifically guaranteed by the Canadian ''Charter of Rights and Freedoms'', with its citizens having the same language rights at the provincial level as all citizens of Canada have at the federal level. Most provincial governments, notably Manitoba and Ontario, offer many services to their French minority populations.
The official language of Quebec is French, as defined by the province's [[Charter of the French Language]] which protects the use of French, but also provides certain rights for speakers of English and aboriginal languages. Quebec provides most government services in both French and English.
[[Image:Halifaxnighttime.jpg|300px|left|thumb|[[Halifax, Nova Scotia]] skyline at night]]
French is mostly spoken in [[Quebec]], [[Ontario]], [[New Brunswick]] and southern [[Manitoba]]. In the 2001 census, 6,864,615 people listed French as a [[first language]], of whom 85% lived in Quebec, and 17,694,835 people listed English as a first language.
Languages other than the official languages are also important in Canada, with 5,470,820 people listing a non-official language as a first language. (The above three statistics include those who listed more than one first language.) Among the most important non-official first language groups are [[Chinese language|Chinese]] (853,745 first-language speakers), especially [[Cantonese language|Cantonese]] (322,315); [[Italian language|Italian]] (469,485); and [[German language|German]] (438,080). Any province may have as many official languages as it sees fit. [[Scots Gaelic]] is still the mother tongue of a small number of people in Nova Scotia, especially in [[Cape Breton Island]].
Speakers of a great many aboriginal languages live in Canada; however, all but a few are in decline. In the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, there are eleven official languages: English and French with special status, and nine native languages: [[Chipewyan]], [[Cree]], [[Dogrib]], [[Gwich'in|Gwich‘in]], [[Inuinnaqtun]], [[Inuktitut]], [[Inuvialuktun]], North [[Slavey]], and South [[Slavey]]. (In Nunavut, only English, Inuktitut, Inuinnaqtun and French are used to any extent, and it is expected that official languages there will soon be legally reduced to those alone.) The only aboriginal languages believed to be fully sustainable at present are the [[Cree language|Cree]] (with 72,885 first-language speakers), [[Inuktitut]] (in the NWT and Nunavut; 29,010 speakers), and [[Ojibwa language|Ojibwa]] (together with Cree, Ojibwa will make up 150,000 speakers).
==Demographics==
{{main|Demographics of Canada}}
In the [[2001]] Canadian National Census, respondents reported their ethnic origins [http://www.canada.com/national/features/census/story.html?id=%7BC78A4458-7085-4FEC-AD57-45F3BA869561%7D].
39.42% of respondents identified their ethnic origin as "Canadian". Most of these are believed to be from the '''British''', '''Irish''' and '''French''' heritage of earlier immigrants. 20.17% identified their ethnic origin as [[English-Canadian|English]]; 15.75% as [[French-Canadian|French]], 14.03% as Scottish, 12.90% as [[Irish Canadian|Irish]].
Numerous other groups were also reported (but only [[German-Canadian|German]] (9.25%) and [[Italian-Canadian|Italian]] (4.29%) were reported by more than 4% of respondents.
''See also:'' [[List of Canadians by ethnicity]] for the complete list.
The total non-white ("visible minority" [http://www.statcan.ca/english/census2001/dict/pop127.htm]) population is 13% of the Canadian population[http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census01/products/highlight/Ethnicity/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo=PR&View=1&Code=0&Table=2&StartRec=1&Sort=2&B1=Distribution] (this does not include First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples).
==Culture==
{{main|Culture of Canada]], [[Canadian identity}}
[[Image:calgnite.jpg|300px|thumb|left|The city of [[Calgary, Alberta]] nicknamed "cowtown" by its local Calgarians.]]
Like American culture, Canadian culture has been heavily influenced by British culture and traditions as a result of the shared colonial past of the two countries. In addition, Canadian culture has also been influenced by American culture partially because of the close proximity of the two countries and partially because of the migration of people, ideas, capital and politics across the border. Despite these inherited British and American traditions, Canadian culture has developed many unique characteristics. In many respects, a more robust and distinct Canadian culture has developed in recent years, partially because of the civic nationalism that pervaded Canada in the years leading up to and following the [[Canadian Centennial]] in [[1967]], and also due to a focus on programs to support Canadian culture and the arts by the federal government.
Many American movies, authors, TV shows and musicians are equally popular in Canada, and vice-versa. Most cultural products of these types are now increasingly marketed towards a unified "North American" market, and not specifically a Canadian or American one.
The United States and Canadian governments share a variety of close working partnerships in matters of trade, economics, and legal concerns.
As Canada and the United States have grown closer, many Canadians have developed complex feelings and concerns, regarding what makes Canada a "distinct" nation within North America. The large American cultural presence in Canada has prompted some fears of a "cultural takeover," and has initiated the establishment of many laws and government institutions to protect Canadian culture. Much of Canadian culture remains defined in contrast to American culture (see [[Canadian identity]]).
In recent years, Canada has increasingly distinguished itself from the United States by both more liberal social policy and more conservative fiscal policy. Canadian governments (and to a large extent, the Canadian people) support issues such as universal health care, [[Same-sex marriage in Canada|gay marriage]] and decriminalization of marijuana, issues typically associated with the American political left. At the same time, they have supported balanced budgets, tax cuts, and free trade, issues typically associated with the American political right. Canadians also tend to live in or near very large urban areas such as [[Toronto]], [[Montreal]], [[Vancouver]], [[Ottawa]], [[Calgary]], and [[Edmonton]] more than in the small towns and cities typical of much of the [[United States]].
===National symbols===
The use of the [[maple leaf]] as a Canadian symbol dates back to the early 18th century, and is depicted on its [[Flag of Canada|current]] and [[Red Ensign|previous]] flags, and on the [[Coat of Arms of Canada|coat of arms]]. Canada is known for its vast [[forest]]s and mountain ranges (including the [[Rocky Mountains]]) and the wild animals that reside within them, such as [[moose]], [[beaver]]s, and [[grizzly bear]]s. Canada is also well-known for the [[Royal Canadian Mounted Police]] force, and products made from the country's natural resources, such as [[maple syrup]].
[[Image:Vancouver_Waterfront.jpg|300px|thumb|The waterfront of [[Vancouver, British Columbia]]]]
==See also==
*[[Art in Canada]]
*[[Canadian identity]]
*[[Canadian literature]]
*[[Culture of Quebec]]
*[[Holidays in Canada]]
*[[Literature of Quebec]]
*[[Media in Canada]]
*[[Military history of Canada]]
*[[Music of Canada]]
*[[Music of Quebec]]
*[[Quebec French]]
*[[Provinces and territories of Canada]]
*[[Recreation in Canada]]
*[[Sports in Canada]]
*[[Theatre in Canada]]
==International rankings==
*Total [[List of countries by GDP (PPP) per capita|GDP per capita]] 2003 (World Bank): 7th
*Total [[List of countries by GDP (nominal)|GDP (nominal)]] 2003 (World Bank): 8th
*Total value of foreign trade (imports and exports), 2003: 4th (out of 185)
*Human Development Index, 2004: 4th (out of 177)
*Reporters Without Borders World-wide Press Freedom Index 2004: 5th out of 167 countries
*Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index 2004 (http://www.transparency.org/cpi/2004/cpi2004.en.html) - 12th of 146 countries
==References==
*Bumsted, J. 2004. ''History of the Canadian Peoples'', Oxford: Oxford University Press
*Chodos, R. & Hamovitch, E. 1991. ''Quebec and the American Dream'', Toronto: Between the Lines.
*Mann, S. 2002. ''The Dream of Nation'', Second edition. Montreal: McGill-Queens University Press, Carleton Library Series #198.
==Miscellaneous topics==
[[Image:Grain elevator 3439.JPG|300px|thumb|right|A grain elevator outside [[London, Ontario|London]], [[Ontario]].]]
* [[List of old Canadian buildings]]
* [[List of Canada-related topics]]
* [[Black Canadian|Black Canadians]]
* [[Canadian Red Ensign]]
* [[Canadian Armed Forces]]
* [[Communications in Canada]]
* [[Canadian copyright law]]
* [[Canadian postal code]]
* [[Courts of Canada]]
* [[Crime in Canada]]
* [[Education in Canada]]
* [[Foreign relations of Canada]]
* [[Four Corners (Canada)|Four Corners of Canada]]
* [[Library and Archives Canada]]
* [[List of Canadian sports personalities]]
* [[List of Canadians]]
* [[List of cities in Canada]]
* [[List of Canadian universities]]
* [[List of similarities between Canada and New Zealand]]
* [[Medicare (Canada)]]
* [[Military of Canada]]
* [[Monarchy in Canada]]
* [[Official Tartans in Canada]]
* [[O Canada]], the national anthem.
* [[Order of Canada]]
* [[poutine]], [[loonie]] and [[toonie]], [[This Hour Has 22 Minutes]], [[eh]]
* [[Religion in Canada]]
* [[Same-sex marriage in Canada]]
* [[Secessionist movements of Canada]]
* [[Slavery in Canada]]
* [[Canada and weapons of mass destruction]]
== External links ==
* [http://www.gc.ca Official website of the Government of Canada]
* [http://www.trailcanada.com Travel guide to Canada] - Canada's most popular and full featured travel guide
* [http://www.canadamaps.info Maps of Canada] - Maps of Canada and maps of Canadian provinces, territories and cities
{{Canada}}
{{Commonwealth of Nations}}
[[Category:Canada|*]]
[[Category:Monarchies]]
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[[he:קנדה]]
[[kw:Kanada]]
[[la:Canada]]
[[lv:Kanāda]]
[[lt:Kanada]]
[[hu:Kanada]]
[[nl:Canada]]
[[ja:カナダ]]
[[no:Canada]]
[[nds:Kanada]]
[[pl:Kanada]]
[[pt:Canadá]]
[[ro:Canada]]
[[ru:Канада]]
[[se:Kanáda]]
[[sa:केनडा]]
[[simple:Canada]]
[[sk:Kanada]]
[[sl:Kanada]]
[[sq:Kanada]]
[[sr:Канада]]
[[fi:Kanada]]
[[sv:Kanada]]
[[vi:Gia Nã Đại]]
[[tr:Kanada]]
[[uk:Канада]]
[[zh:加拿大]]
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