Canada

 Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, making it the world's second-largest country by total area, with the world's longest coastline. Its border with the United States is the world's longest international land border. The country is characterized by a wide range of both meteorologic and geological regions. It is a sparsely inhabited country of 40 million people, the vast majority residing south of the 55th parallel in urban areas. Canada's capital is Ottawa and its three largest metropolitan areas are Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver.

Canada

A vertical triband design (red, white, red) with a red maple leaf in the centre.

Flag

At the top there is a rendition of St. Edward's Crown, with the crest of a crowned gold lion standing on a twisted wreath of red and white silk and holding a maple leaf in its right paw underneath. The lion is standing on top of a helm, which is above the escutcheon, ribbon, motto, and compartment. There is a supporter on either side of the escutcheon and ribbon; an English lion on the left and a Scottish unicorn on the right.

Coat of arms

Motto: A mari usque ad mare (Latin)

"From Sea to Sea"

Anthem: "O Canada"

1:24

Royal anthem: "God Save the King"[1]

0:51

A projection of North America with Canada highlighted in green

Capital

Ottawa

45°24′N 75°40′W

Largest city

Toronto

Official languages

EnglishFrench

Demonym(s)

Canadian

Government

Federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy

• Monarch

Charles III

• Governor General

Mary Simon

• Prime Minister

Justin Trudeau

Legislature

Parliament

• Upper house

Senate

• Lower house

House of Commons

Independence from the United Kingdom

• Confederation

July 1, 1867

• Statute of Westminster, 1931

December 11, 1931

• Patriation

April 17, 1982

Area

• Total area

9,984,670 km2 (3,855,100 sq mi) (2nd)

• Water (%)

11.76 (2015)[2]

• Total land area

9,093,507 km2 (3,511,023 sq mi)

Population

• 2023 Q3 estimate

Neutral increase 40,097,761[3] (37th)

• 2021 census

36,991,981[4]

• Density

4.2/km2 (10.9/sq mi) (236th)

GDP (PPP)

2023 estimate

• Total

Increase $2.378 trillion[5] (15th)

• Per capita

Increase $59,813[5] (28th)

GDP (nominal)

2023 estimate

• Total

Decrease $2.117 trillion[5] (9th)

• Per capita

Decrease $53,246[5] (18th)

Gini (2018)

Positive decrease 30.3[6]

medium

HDI (2021)

Increase 0.936[7]

very high · 15th

Currency

Canadian dollar ($) (CAD)

Time zone

UTC−3.5 to −8

• Summer (DST)

UTC−2.5 to −7

Date format

yyyy-mm-dd (AD)[8]

Driving side

right

Calling code

+1

Internet TLD

.ca

Indigenous peoples have continuously inhabited what is now Canada for thousands of years. Beginning in the 16th century, British and French expeditions explored and later settled along the Atlantic coast. As a consequence of various armed conflicts, France ceded nearly all of its colonies in North America in 1763. In 1867, with the union of three British North American colonies through Confederation, Canada was formed as a federal dominion of four provinces. This began an accretion of provinces and territories and a process of increasing autonomy from the United Kingdom, highlighted by the Statute of Westminster, 1931, and culminating in the Canada Act 1982, which severed the vestiges of legal dependence on the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

Canada is a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy in the Westminster tradition. The country's head of government is the prime minister, who holds office by virtue of their ability to command the confidence of the elected House of Commons and is "called upon" by the governor general, representing the monarch of Canada, the head of state. The country is a Commonwealth realm and is officially bilingual (English and French) in the federal jurisdiction. It is very highly ranked in international measurements of government transparency, quality of life, economic competitiveness, innovation, education and gender equality. It is one of the world's most ethnically diverse and multicultural nations, the product of large-scale immigration. Canada's long and complex relationship with the United States has had a significant impact on its history, economy, and culture.

A developed country, Canada has a high nominal per capita income globally and its advanced economy ranks among the largest in the world, relying chiefly upon its abundant natural resources and well-developed international trade networks. Canada is recognized as a middle power for its role in international affairs, with a tendency to pursue multilateral solutions. Canada's peacekeeping role during the 20th century has had a significant influence on its global image. Canada is part of multiple major international and intergovernmental institutions.