Canada

Canada is a country in North America, spanning from the Atlantic to the Pacific and north to the Arctic. It shares the longest undefended border with the United States. It is the second-largest country by land area, covering about 9.98 million square kilometers. Its landscapes include the Arctic tundra, boreal forests, the Rockies, the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence seaway, and the Canadian Shield. Official languages at the federal level are English and French; many indigenous languages are spoken.

Canada is a constitutional monarchy and federal parliamentary democracy. The monarch’s representative is the Governor General; the prime minister is head of government. Parliament consists of the House of Commons and the Senate. Canada has ten provinces and three territories; Ottawa is the capital.

Indigenous peoples have inhabited the region for thousands of years. French and British colonization shaped its early institutions. Confederation in 1867 created a federal dominion expanding to ten provinces and three territories. Canada is known for immigration and cultural diversity. Major cities include Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, and Ottawa; many communities are bilingual or multilingual.

Canada has a diverse economy with a high standard of living. Services, natural resources, manufacturing, and tech are important sectors. Major exports include energy, vehicles, and minerals. It maintains universal health care and publicly funded education. It is a member of the G7, G20, and OECD, and participates in trade agreements such as USMCA and CETA.