Canada

I. BACKGROUND

Part 1: Canada Fact Sheet with a Spotlight on the Province of Québec

Visit the Web sites below to find out about Canadian geography and culture.

The Canadian government's “About Canada” resources
World Almanac for Kids
Canadian Geographic CG Kids Online Atlas
The World Factbook: Canada

1. What are the official emblems of Canada?
The maple leaf and the beaver.

2. What does the word “Canada” mean?
Encampment, village or collection of huts

3. What is the capital of Canada?
Ottawa

4. Describe the location of Canada.
In North America, North of the United States

5. What is the area of Canada?
3,855,101 sq mi

6. What is the population of Canada?
32,805,041

7. What is the currency of Canada?
Canadian dollar

8. Name two languages spoken in Canada.
French and English

9. Name a major mountain range in Canada.
The Rockies

10. Name the three oceans that border Canada.
Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic

11. Name three of the six natural regions of Canada.
Arctic and taiga, Pacific and mountains, central plains, boreal shield, mixedwood plains, Atlantic region

12. Canada is divided into how many provinces? How many territories?
Ten provinces and three territories

Ten provinces— Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Québec, and Saskatchewan

Three territories-- Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon Territory

13. What is the national holiday of Canada?
Canada Day - July 1st

14. What is education like in Canada?
Education is free and compulsory for boys and girls through the age of 16

15. What percent of the labor force is engaged in agriculture?
Only 2%

16. What are the major crops grown in Canada?
Wheat, barley, tobacco, fruits, vegetables

17. What animals are raised in Canada?
Cows, sheep, and fish

18. What type of government exists in Canada?
A constitutional monarchy that is also a parliamentary democracy and a federation

Spotlight on Québec
Visit the Web sites below to find out about Québec's geography and culture.

Québec Across the Centuries
The Institute for Statistics of Québec
Confederation for Kids: Québec Province
Virtual Museum of New France
The Québec Portal

19. True or False: Québec is the largest province in Canada.
True. Québec covers about 15% of Canada 's total area. The territory of Nunavut is largest territory.

20. Who first claimed Canada for France?
Jacques Cartier

21. Initially, what was this area called?
New France

22. Where did the earliest French colonists settle in Canada?
St. Lawrence Valley and Acadia

23. When did Québec enter the Canadian confederation?
1867

24. What is the capital of Québec?
Montréal

25. Describe the flag of the province of Québec.
Four blue and white fields with four fleur de lis

26. What is the motto of Québec?
Je me souviens or “I remember”