Canada
Capital City of Canada:
Ottawa
Population:
37 Millions
Official language:
English, French
Currency:
CAD = Canadian Dollar
Destination Canada
From wide-open spaces and incredible nature to diverse people and vibrant cultures, Canada can offer meaningful travel experiences to reconnect and recharge with what’s important to travelers today.
There are 10 Canadian provinces, with 3 territories to the north. Each province and territory has its own unique draw for visitors and has tourism organizations to help you plan your trip. All have plenty of outdoor adventure by way of camping, hiking trails, lakes, and other natural phenomena.
Difference between province and territory
Basically, provinces are regions that receive their authority through Canada’s Constitution Act. The Constitution Act gives certain exclusive powers to provincial governments, while the federal government of Canada has the rest of the power.
The provinces get to make certain decisions regarding their responsibilities and governance by themselves. By contrast, the territories of Canada have their responsibilities and powers delegated to them directly by the federal government.
Ottawa, Capital City of Canada
10 Provinces of Canada
- Alberta – From Rocky Mountains to prairie land, all with a distinctly western feel.
- British Columbia – Where the Pacific is met by bustling city, towering forest and rugged mountain.
- Manitoba – Take in the cultural icons of Winnipeg or meet polar bears and the wonders of the North.
- New Brunswick – Witness the highest tides in the world, explore amazing scenic drives, and be inspired by original beauty.
- New Foundland and Labrador – 18,000 miles of rugged coastline, including Gros Morne National Park, will leave you speechless.
- Nova Scotia – Take in year-round surfing and sea kayaking, wineries and markets, and the world famous Cape Breton Island
- Ontario – Exciting urban life in the south gives way to the charm of the Great Lakes and the North.
- Prince Edward Island – Stunning sand beaches, green pastoral landscape and a unique island way of life.
- Quebec – Become lost in the magic of Montreal and Quebec City, and discover the natural wonder of the St Lawrence and beyond.
- Saskatchewan – World class fishing, canoeing, wildlife, and distinct urban landscapes all under the canvas of breathtaking skies.
Athabasca Falls, Alberta
3 Territories of Canada
- Northwest Territories – Witness the magic of the Northern Lights, explore vast national parks and hook the catch of a lifetime in the beating heart of the north.
- Nunavut – Experience the True North and the Inuit way of life while exploring vast expanses of pristine wilderness.
- Yukon – Iconic wilderness parks in the land of the midnight sun and a vibrant First Nations culture.
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories | Photo: © pixabay/Nostradamus
Best time to visit Canada
March to November, except in the North where winter comes early (October) and leaves late (April/May).
Highlights in Canada - do not miss them!
Best Canadian cities to visit
Canada is a very unique country. It is vast — the second largest country in size in the world. Yet it is very sparsely populated. Its cities range from large, cosmopolitan cities like Toronto in Ontario to small outposts such as Whitehorse, the capital of the Yukon Territory.
Many of the best cities to visit in Canada are gateways to magnificent wilderness areas and exciting recreational facilities, including some of the best ski resorts in the world.
- Calgary, located in Alberta, is famous for its western flavor and, most notably, for its world-famous Calgary Stampede, a huge ten-day rodeo that bills itself as the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth. Calgary, which is Alberta’s biggest city, is also considered a gateway to the Rocky Mountains and is often the jumping-off start for adventures to two of Canada’s most famous parks, Banff and Jasper.
- Foggy Halifax (capital of Noca Scotia), located at one of the largest natural harbors in the world.
- Montreal, Quebec, where the traditional meets the innovative. This city is an invigorating mix of culture, language, and cuisine that brings experiences unlike anywhere else in North America. Stylish and certainly romantic, Montreal is where every photograph tells a story and every story is beautiful.
- Ottawa is Canada’s capital. National sites, famous landmarks like the Rideau Canal, and museums housing stunning national collections. But Ottawa is also vibrant and walkable, with an incredible food scene created by local culinary schools and top chefs. This is Ottawa, come experience it for yourself.
- Québec City‘s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site exuding historical romance.
- Toronto as trendsetter. The heartbeat of Canadian urban life. The 6ix is everything you would expect from a world class city. Get dinner at a one of a kind restaurant in Queen Street West, shop at the posh Yorkville district, lose yourself in the variety of the Kensington Market, then catch an MLB, NBA or NHL game. Toronto has it all and all of it is in style.
- Booming Vancouver, where Asia meets North America and the outdoor looms.
- Victoria is the capital of British Columbia and one of Canada’s most picturesque cities, with mountain or ocean vistas visible throughout many of its neighborhoods. Located on Vancouver Island, it is also a city that still boasts a wild side – elephant seals and whales can be found in the waters surrounding the city.
- Whitehorse is the capital of the Yukon and also its only city. Situated on the banks of the Yukon River, Whitehorse is a great jumping-off point for those who want to explore Canada’s vast wilderness, especially since the two main highways in the territory – the Alaska and the Klondike – intersect in this small city.
Skyline of Calgary, Alberta
Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City, Quebec
Vancouver, British Columbia
Spend time in Canada’s most beautiful parks
Canada’s National Parks, National Marine Areas and National Historic Sites.
- Algonquin, Ontario’s oldest and most famous Provincial Park.
- Auyuittuq National Park in the undisturbed arctic wilderness of Baffin Island, Nunavut
- Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada’s oldest and most visited national park. Mount Rundle towers mightily above endless coniferous forests, through which the Bow River meanders. Millions of visitors make the pilgrimage to the town of Banff every year, only to lose themselves in the wilderness outside its gates.
- Fathom Five National Marine Park, Ontario
- Jasper National Park, Alberta.
- Kootenay National Park, British Columbia
- Mount Revelstoke & Glacier, British Columbia.
- Mount Robson Provincial Park, British Columbia.
- Pacific Rim, British Columbia
- Prince Edward Island, PEI
- Saguenay-St. Lawrence National Park, Quebec
- Waterton Lakes, Alberta
- Wells Gray Provincial Park, British Columbia
- Yoho National Park, British Columbia
Spirit Island, Jasper National Park, Alberta
More Things to Do and See in Canada
- Relive the Klondike Gold Rush by hiking and canoeing across the Yukon to Dawson.
- Observe arctic wildlife in Churchill – from polar bears and whales to caribous and arctic foxes
- Sail the whale- and dolphin-filled Inside Passage along British Columbia.
- Cracking shells at a glorious Prince Edward Island lobster feast.
- Join one of the world’s greatest train ride: Rocky Mountaineer.
- Stroll through the old town of Montreal – with musicians, restaurants, great shops and an atmosphere of indulging yourself.
Polar Bear in Churchill |Photo: © pixabay/markjordahl
Enjoy Authentic Canadian Food And Drinks
- Seafood from the coast;
- Maple syrup from the trees;
- Many superb wines from the Okanagan Valley in southern British Columbia
Catch Canada’s Most Popular Festivals
- L’International of the Feux Loto-Québec festival, the largest fireworks festival in the world. The festival is held yearly in La Ronde and overlooks Dolphins Lake, displaying a festival of light to over 3 million spectators.
- The Festival International de Jazz de Montréal holds the Guinness World Record as the largest jazz festival in the world and hosts around 3,000 musicians playing in 650 concerts (450 free concerts).
- Behold the largest ice skating rink in the world at Winterlude festival. There is also an ice sculpture competition, an ice lounge, and music concerts. The whole festival lasts for three weekends, typically in February and is held in Ottawa, Ontario, and Gatineau, Quebec.
- The Celebration of Light is just a fireworks display in front of around 1.4 million people – end of July, beginning of August. Along with the fireworks competition, there is a free concert series on the beach, an urban adventure race, and a barbeque.
What is Canada famous for?
- Moose & Bears
- the Rockies
- Bryan Adams
- Maple Trees
- Smoked Salmon
Maple Leaf |Photo: © pixabay/MabelAmber