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Canada
A land
of vast distances and rich natural resources, Canada
became a self-governing dominion in 1867 while
retaining ties to the British crown. Economically
and technologically the nation has developed in
parallel with the US, its neighbor to the south
across an unfortified border. Canada's paramount
political problem is meeting public demands for
quality improvements in health care and education
services after a decade of budget cuts. The issue of
reconciling Quebec's francophone heritage with the
majority anglophone Canadian population has moved to
the back burner in recent years; support for
separatism abated after the Quebec government's
referendum on independence failed to pass in October
of 1995.
Geography
Somewhat
larger than the United States, Canada borders the
North Atlantic Ocean on the east, North Pacific
Ocean on the west, and the Arctic Ocean on the
north, north of the contiguous US.
Although it's the second-largest country in world
(after Russia), approximately 90% of the population
is concentrated within 160 km of the US border.
It's
climate varies from temperate in south to subarctic
and arctic in north, with it's terrain being mostly
plains with mountains in west and lowlands in
southeast.
People
Canada's
population is 32,805,041 (as of July 2005) and is
comprised of various ethnic groups (British Isles
origin 28%, French origin 23%, other European 15%,
Amerindian 2%, other, mostly Asian, African, Arab
6%, mixed background 26%). Citizens of Canada
are called Canadian(s) (nationality).
Religion
According
to a 2001 census, 42.6% of the population is Roman
Catholic, 23.3% Protestant (including United Church
9.5%, Anglican 6.8%, Baptist 2.4%, Lutheran 2%),
other Christian 4.4%, Muslim 1.9%, other and
unspecified 11.8%, none 16%.
Language
Canada
has two official languages, English and French with
the majority of the population speaking English. (English
(official) 59.3%, French (official) 23.2%, other
17.5%)
Government
Canada's
capital is Ottawa and the country itself is
comprised of 10 provinces and 3 territories*;
Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick,
Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories*,
Nova Scotia, Nunavut*, Ontario, Prince Edward
Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon
Territory*.
It's
government is a constitutional monarchy that is also
a parliamentary democracy and a federation.
The constitution is made up of unwritten and written
acts, customs, judicial decisions, and traditions;
the written part of the constitution consists of the
Constitution Act of 29 March 1867, which created a
federation of four provinces, and the Constitution
Act of 17 April 1982, which transferred formal
control over the constitution from Britain to
Canada, and added a Canadian Charter of Rights and
Freedoms as well as procedures for constitutional
amendments.
The
executive branch of government consists of chief
of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February
1952), represented by Governor General Michaelle
Jean (since 27 September 2005); head of
government: Prime Minister Paul MARTIN (since 12
December 2003); Deputy Prime Minister Anne MCLELLAN
(since 12 December 2003); cabinet: Federal
Ministry chosen by the prime minister usually from
among the members of his own party sitting in
Parliament; elections: none; the monarchy is
hereditary; governor general appointed by the
monarch on the advice of the prime minister for a
five-year term; following legislative elections, the
leader of the majority party or the leader of the
majority coalition in the House of Commons is
automatically designated prime minister by the
governor general.
Economy
As an
affluent, high-tech industrial society, newly
entered in the trillion dollar class, Canada closely
resembles the US in its market-oriented economic
system, pattern of production, and affluent living
standards. Since World War II, the impressive growth
of the manufacturing, mining, and service sectors
has transformed the nation from a largely rural
economy into one primarily industrial and urban. The
1989 US-Canada Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the
1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
(which includes Mexico) touched off a dramatic
increase in trade and economic integration with the
US. Given its great natural resources, skilled labor
force, and modern capital plant Canada enjoys solid
economic prospects. Solid fiscal management has
produced a long-term budget surplus which is
substantially reducing the national debt, although
public debate continues over how to manage the
rising cost of the publicly funded healthcare
system. Exports account for roughly a third of GDP.
Canada enjoys a substantial trade surplus with its
principal trading partner, the United States, which
absorbs more than 85% of Canadian exports.
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