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Home  About Canada Facts and History
> Canada's History
> Standard of Living
> Time Zones
> National Emblem
> The Canadian Flag
> National Anthem
> Currency
> Useful Links
Canada's HistoryAboriginal peoples are thought to have arrived from Asia thousands of years ago by way of a land bridge between Siberia and Alaska. Some of them settled in Canada, while others chose to continue to the south. When the European explorers arrived, Canada was populated by a diverse range of Aboriginal peoples who, depending on the environment, lived nomadic or settled lifestyles, were hunters, fishermen or farmers. First contacts between the native peoples and Europeans probably occurred about 1 000 years ago when Vikings, from Iceland, settled for a brief time on the island of Newfoundland. However, it would be another 600 years before European exploration began in earnest ...more. Standard of LivingFor six years in a row - 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000 - Canada has ranked first in the world on the United Nations Human Development Index. Canadians scored high on the key factors of life expectancy, which is significantly affected by environmental quality, and average income, which for one-third of our population comes from environment-related activities. At the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, Canada ranked third in the world in the 2001 Environmental Sustainability Index (ESI) study, a measure of overall progress towards environmental sustainability, developed for 122 countries. Canada ranks sixth in the world in standard of living when measured according to gross domestic product per capita, behind only the United States, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Germany and Japan. Canada's rank among nations tends to rise even higher in assessments that consider gross domestic product per capita along with other factors (e.g., life expectancy, education) that contribute to the overall quality of life. Basic health care, with the exception of dental services, is free at the point of delivery. Also, in most cases, prescription drugs are dispensed without charge to people over 65 and social aid recipients. Canada also has an extensive social security network, including an old age pension, a family allowance, unemployment insurance and welfare. Time ZonesCanada has six time zones. The easternmost, in Newfoundland, is three hours and 30 minutes behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). The othertime zones are Atlantic, Eastern, Central, Rocky Mountain and, farthest west, Pacific, which is eight hours behind GMT...more. National EmblemThe maple leaf has been associated with Canada for some time: in 1868, it figured in coats of arms granted to Ontario and Quebec, and inboth World Wars, it appeared on regimental badges. Since the 1965 introduction of the Canadian flag, the maple leaf has become thecountry's most important national symbol. The Canadian FlagSeveral people participated in designing the Canadian flag. Jacques St. Cyr contributed the stylized maple leaf, George Bist theproportions, and Dr. Gunter Wyszechi the colouration. The final determination of all aspects of the new flag was made by a 15-memberparliamentary committee, which is formally credited with the design. After lengthy debate, the new flag was adopted by Parliament. Itofficially became the national flag on February 15, 1965, now recognized as Canada's Flag Day. National AnthemO Canada was composed in 1880, with music by Calixa Lavallée and words by Judge Adolphe-Basile Routhier. In 1908, Robert StanleyWeir wrote the translation on which the present English lyrics are based. On July 1, 1980, a century after being sung for the first time,O Canada was proclaimed the national anthem ... more. CurrencyThe Canadian dollar is divided into 100 cents. Useful Links > Aboriginal Awareness > Canada at War > Canada's Military Legacy > Canada's Provinces and Territories > Canadian Confederation > Canadian Information By Subject > Veterans Affairs Canada > Canadian Military Medals and Decorations > Constitution Acts 1867 to 1982 > Facts about Canada > First Among Equals: The Prime Minister in Canadian Life and Politics > Genealogy and Family History > Genealogy Research > Great Canadian Explorers > Heroes of Yore and Lore: Canadian Heroes in Fact and Fiction > History of Canada > History of the Canadian Coast Guard and Marine Services > History of the Vote in Canada > Honours and Awards > Immigration's History in Canada > National Archives of Canada > Origins of Canadian words > Passages: A Treasure Trove of North American Exploration > Path of Heroes: A Heritage of Heroes > Pathfinders & Passageways: The Exploration of Canada > The RCMP's Role in Peacekeeping |
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