Canada is the second largest country in the world and its territory covers almost 10 million square kilometres. Three oceans border Canada: the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Arctic Ocean to the north. At the southern end of the territory lies the border between Canada and the United States. These two nations work together to maintain a secure and efficient border.
Located on the Ottawa River, Ottawa was chosen as Canada's capital in 1857 by Queen Victoria, the great-great-grandmother of Queen Elizabeth II. Today, Ottawa is the fourth largest city in Canada. The National Capital Region, which covers 4,700 square kilometres around Ottawa, preserves and enhances the area's built heritage and natural environment.
Canada has ten provinces and three territories, each with its own capital.
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Prince Edward Island
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Nova Scotia
- Ontario
- Quebec
- Saskatchewan
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Northern territories
- Nunavut
- Yukon
Canada is home to approximately 34 million people. Although the majority reside in large cities, Canadians also live in villages, rural areas and elsewhere.
English and French are the two official languages in Canada, although this bilingual feeling is very rare in the country, the only officially bilingual province being New Brunswick. Quebec is the French-speaking province and all the rest is English-speaking.
Canada has many different geographic areas and five distinct regions:
- The Atlantic Provinces
- Central Canada
- les provinces des Prairies;
- la Côte Ouest;
- The Northern Territories.