You may know Canada as the home of ice hockey, a land of maple trees and home to a wealth of popular musicians and actors, but there is so much more to love about this great nation. Canada defies expectations at every turn and is rich with natural wonders, cultural richness and unforgettable experiences. For the discerning traveller, a luxury holiday to Canada is an extraordinary event.
In this article, we share our top ten Canada facts to deepen your appreciation and knowledge of this incredible destination.
Ten Facts About Canada
Canada is the second-largest country in the world
Covering just short of 10 million square kilometres, Canada is the second-largest country in the world. The vast expanse of the country means that it is home to a range of unique landscapes, from the towering Rocky Mountains to the forests of
British Columbia.
Its large size means it's home to the world's longest coastline (a massive 202,080 kilometres) and the longest highway in the world, the Trans-Canada Highway, stretching 4,860 miles across the width of the country. Its border with the neighbouring United States is also the longest land border in the world, running across North America for almost 8,900 kilometres. With so many unique features, it's no wonder it's such a popular
luxury travel destination!
Canada has two official languages
Reflecting the country's French and British heritage, Canada has two official languages: French and British. While English is more commonly used, if you're on a
luxury holiday to Québec, you'll find the French influence much more apparent, adding to its charm.
Describing the feeling of this combined influence, the
official Québec City website shares: "This mixture of French and British influences permeates almost every aspect of our environment in Québec City and is so familiar that it generally passes unnoticed by most of the population. Very often, however, when French-speaking Québeckers go to Europe for the first time, they are surprised to discover that ─ in some ways at least ─ they feel more at home in London than in Paris. The language is different, but the urban environment, the houses, the institutions, and the way of life are all strangely familiar. On the other hand, in Paris, the language is the same, but some aspects of the way of life feel quite foreign."
Canada stretches across six time zones
Being the second-largest country in the world, it shouldn't be that surprising that Canada stretches across multiple time zones. In total, it stretches across six time zones, with easterly Newfoundland four and a half hours ahead of British Colombia in the west.
![A woman on skis above Mont Tremblant, Quebec, Canada]()
A woman on skis above Mont Tremblant, Quebec, Canada
Canada can get really, really cold
Wintertime in Canada is beautiful, with crisp snowfall; however, in the northern regions of the country, temperatures can drop very low. The town of Eureka in Nunavut is recorded as the coldest place, with an average temperature of -19.7°C. However, the coldest-ever temperature recorded was in Snag, Yukon, at a blistering -63°C.
You may have heard of destinations such as
Lake Louise, but did you know that Canada is home to over two million lakes? In fact, Canada's lakes make up 14% of the world's total! The largest by surface area is Lake Superior, which is on the border between Ontario and the US, and the largest truly Canadian Lake is the Great Bear Lake, stretching over 12,000 square miles.
Canada is home to 22 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Canada's rich history and cultural heritage are well preserved, with 22 UNESCO World Heritage Sites to enjoy. Some of the most notable include:
- L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site, Newfoundland - the first inscribed and home to an 11th-century Viking settlement.
- Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta - fossils of more than 44 species of dinosaurs have been found here, with over 150 complete skeletons.
- Canadian Rocky Mountains - covering seven National Parks, the Canadian Rocky Mountains were inscribed due to their incredible natural beauty.
- Historic District of Old Québec, Quebec - the well-preserved 17th-century capital of New France.
- Old Town Lunenburg, Nova Scotia - the best surviving example of a British colonial settlement in North America.
- Tr'ondëk-Klondike, Yukon - joint-newest inscribed and home to the 19th-century Canadian gold rush.
- Anticosti, Quebec - joint-newest inscribed and another significant location for fossil finding.
UNESCO provides details on why the Canadian Rocky Mountains, covering destinations including
Banff and
Jasper, were inscribed onto the list in 1984: "The seven parks of the Canadian Rockies offer a breathtaking mountain landscape. With rugged peaks, ice fields and glaciers, alpine meadows, lakes, waterfalls, complex limestone cave systems, hot springs and deep canyons, the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks are of outstanding natural beauty and attract millions of visitors each year."
Canada has the most doughnut shops per resident in the world
If you have a sweet tooth, this will surely convince you that Canada is the holiday destination for you. Canada has the most doughnut shops per capita of any country in the world. With over 4,000 locations, the coffee and doughnut chain Tim Hortons is a cornerstone of daily life.
Canada has the only prison with a polar bear-holding facility
Churchill, Manitoba, is known as the "Polar Bear Capital of the World". In fact, there are so many polar bears here that it's common for people to leave their cars unlocked to offer a hiding place from a nearby bear for those who need it. Churchill is home to the world's only polar bear prison, used to hold bears who wander too close to town before being released once more when it's safe to do so.
![Polar bear in Churchill, Canada]()
Polar bear in Churchill, Canada
Canada's Thanksgiving goes back before America's
You may hear of Canadians celebrating Thanksgiving and assume theirs is in line with that of the United States; however, Canadian Thanksgiving dates much further. First celebrated in 1578 (43 years before its American counterpart), the day is celebrated on the second Monday of October and focuses on harvest celebrations and gratitude.
Canada is a fantastic holiday destination
From
luxury ski holidays to a journey onboard the iconic
Rocky Mountaineer and city breaks to natural paradises, Canada has it all. With Elegant Resorts, we can help you build your dream itinerary, and with 70 years of experience, you can be sure we know what we're talking about. Discover your
luxury holiday to Canada and discover the Great White North for yourself.
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