Canadian traditional clothing

LOCATION:Canada

POPULATION: 27.3 million (1991)

LANGUAGE: English and French (both authoritative); Italian; German; Chinese; Spanish

FAITH: Roman Catholicism, Protestantism (majority); Judaism; Buddhism; Sikhism; Hinduism; Bahaism; standard religions of local groups

1 • INTRODUCTION

Canada may be the world's 2nd largest nation, surpassed in location just by Russia. Additionally it is one of the the very least densely populated. The majority of its population is targeted in a strip 180 miles (290 kilometers) wide along its edge with all the united states of america.

Amerindian and Inuit peoples initially migrated to present-day Canada from Asia across the Bering Straits around 10, 000 BC . Because of the late seventeenth century, France and Britain had been rivals the area's wealthy fish and fur trade. This rivalry ended up being concluded in 1763 by the Treaty of Paris, which provided the Uk control of what had formerly already been New France. The British united states Act developed the Dominion of Canadian by 1867. By 1949, with the help of Newfoundland, the Dominion had grown to include ten provinces.

The French Canadian separatist motion has grown considering that the 1960s. French became the province of Quebec's official language in 1974. Political independency for Quebec has been a controversial issue for both the province while the nation in general.

2 • PLACE

Canada is a massive nation with great geographical variety. Covering about two-fifths of North American continent, it has a place of 3, 849, 650 square kilometers (9, 970, 594 square kilometers). The Canadian Shield, a rocky section of forests, lakes, and backwoods, covers roughly half of Canada, isolating the eastern and western parts of the country.

The Atlantic provinces, to the east of the Shield, include two islands: Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island. The Truly Amazing Lakes-St. Lawrence lowlands tend to be home to your largest portion of Canada's population plus the site of this nation's capital, Ottawa. The farmlands and ranching aspects of the Western flatlands lie west of the Canadian Shield and east for the Rocky Mountains. Nonetheless further western lies the Western Cordillera (hill range), which includes the Rockies. The northernmost part of Canada includes the tundra, which lies north associated with tree range, as well as the country's Arctic countries.

Although Canada is ten percent bigger than the United States (including Alaska), it has only about 10 percent as many folks. The 1991 census recorded slightly below 27.3 million. Three-fourths of Canadians tend to be metropolitan dwellers. Toronto is one of populous metropolitan location, with about 3.9 million people in 1991.

3 • LANGUAGE

Both English and French are Canada's formal languages. Canada is typically considered a bilingual country. But only 16 per cent of this population is actually bilingual. About 60 per cent talk English just and 24 per cent French only. Canada's local individuals speak between fifty and sixty various languages.

4 • FOLKLORE

Canada's folklore tradition is generally divided into four primary strains: native, French Canadian, Anglo-Canadian, along with other ethnic groups. The native custom includes creation and hero myths, including the Raven and Thunderbird stories associated with western Coast.

For quite some time the French Canadians had to transmit their particular culture orally throughout the years, going for a stronger folklore tradition. Preferred characters in French Canadian folklore feature a hero called Ti-Jean (brief for petit Jean or minimal John) and a hunter named Dalbec.

Jokes and anecdotes, including "Newfie" jokes about Newfoundlanders, tend to be well-known among Anglo-Canadians.

5 • FAITH

Approximately 90 percent of Canadians tend to be Christians. They truly are divided about similarly between Catholics and Protestants. Protestant groups include the United Church of Canada and the Anglican, Presbyterian, Baptist, and Lutheran churches. Other religions consist of Judaism, Buddhism, and also the standard religions of local teams. Roman Catholics come in almost all in Quebec and brand new Brunswick. Another provinces are predominantly Protestant.

6 • SIGNIFICANT BREAKS

Canada's vital nationwide holiday is Canada Day (previously Dominion Day) on July 1. It commemorates the institution associated with Dominion of Canada in 1867. Canadians celebrate their particular nation's "birthday" with patriotic ceremonies, picnics, and fireworks. The break marking the beginning of summer in Canada is Victoria Day, the Monday preceding May 25. (it's known as Dollard Day by residents of Quebec.) Canada's Labour Day, that way regarding the United States, takes place after summer (the initial Monday in September). Other appropriate holidays feature new-year's time together with significant vacations associated with the Christian diary. Canadians have a Thanksgiving getaway similar to that of the United States, but it is held in the second Monday in October.