About Canada - Facts and History
Canada's History ...
Aboriginal 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 gathters,
fishermen or farmers. First contacts between the native peoples and Europeans
probably occurred about 1 000 years ago when Norsemen settled for a brief time
on the island of Newfoundland. However, it would be another 600 years before
European exploration began in earnest.
Standard of Living ...
For seven years in a row - 1994, 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 Zones ...
Canada has six time zones. The easternmost, in Newfoundland, is three hours
and 30 minutes behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). The other time zones are Atlantic,
Eastern, Central, Rocky Mountain and, farthest west, Pacific, which is eight
hours behind GMT... more.
National Emblem ...
The maple leaf has been associated with Canada for some time: in 1868, it figured in coats of arms granted to Ontario and Quebec, and in
both World Wars, it appeared on regimental badges. Since the 1965 introduction of the Canadian flag, the maple leaf has become the
country's most important national symbol.
The Canadian Flag ...
Several people participated in designing the Canadian flag. Jacques St. Cyr contributed the stylized maple leaf, George Bist the
proportions, and Dr. Gunter Wyszechi the colouration. The final determination of all aspects of the new flag was made by a 15-member
parliamentary committee, which is formally credited with the design. After lengthy debate, the new flag was adopted by Parliament. It
officially became the national flag on February 15, 1965, now recognized as Canada's Flag Day.
National Anthem ...
O Canada was composed in 1880, with music by Calixa Lavallée and words
by Judge Adolphe-Basile Routhier. In 1908, Robert Stanley Weir 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.
Currency ...
The Canadian dollar is divided into 100 cents.
Useful Links ...
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