What do you think of first when you hear about Canada? To hockey legend Wayne Gretzky? A maple leaf? To Céline Dion? French- and English-speaking territories? Or Clara Hughes (who doesn't know her?!), who won a total of 6 medals at summer AND Winter Games – in cycling and speed skating? As is so often the case, there will probably be as many associations as there will be people. Then let's all come down to a common denominator.
The name of the second largest country in the world means "village" or "settlement" in the language of the St. Lawrence Iroquois.
Canada, with its capital Ottawa, belongs to the Commonwealth of Nations and its head of state is the Queen, who is represented by Governor General Mary Simons and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The 37 million inhabitants are governed in a federal parliamentary monarchy.
Above the almost 9,900 km long border with the USA are the 10 provinces and 3 territories: Alberta (with the capital Edmonton), British Colombia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nanavut, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Québec, Saskatchewan and Yukon.
Canada was founded on February 10, 1841 and has been independent since 1867.
Its internet TLD is .ca and one Canadian dollar (CAD) is currently worth 0.75 euros.
Is that too dry for you? Want some quirkier facts about Canada?
Here you are!
If you're traveling on the Alaska Highway, it's worth making a pit stop at one of Canada's quirkiest road attractions. In 1942, a homesick GI from Danville, Illinois, put up the first sign at Watson Lake to show how far he was from home (2,835 miles, to be exact). Today, more than 80,000 others join him in the so-called "Signpost Forrest".
If you have children in the car and they have seen the Disney movie Vaiana, they will be doubly enchanted by Victoria's "Moss Lady". The 35-foot-long sculpture of a dozing figure by artist Dale Doebert looks like it could rise from the earth at any moment, just like Te Fiti in the movie.
Get out of the minivan and into a fairy tale. In the Enchanted Forest in Revelstoke, British Columbia, you can romp through the woods on a nature walk (where you'll find 350 fairytale characters among the leaves), climb the tallest treehouse in the province, and even zip plin.
Drive to the base of this world-famous hill, idle and then get ready when your car starts rolling uphill. It is a gravitational mystery that you must see – and feel – in order to believe it.
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If I was able to arouse your curiosity about Canada and you need even more inspiration, I can recommend the following link as a first port of call.
Of course, a few Canadian celebrities should not be missing:
What fun facts about the country do you know?