Сanada is he second largest country in the world. It covers the northern
part of North America and its total area is 9,975,000 square
kilometers. Canada’s only neighbour is the USA. The boarder between the
two countries is the longest unguarded border in the world.
Canada’s motto, "From Sea to Sea”, is particularly appropriate because
the country is bounded by three oceans – the Pacific, the Arctic and the
Atlantic. Its vast area includes some of the world’s largest lakes and
countless smaller ones. One-third of all fresh water on Earth is in
Canada.
Canada’s name comes from an Indian word Kanata, which means
"village”. The first French settlers used the Indian name for the
colony, but the official name was "New France”. When the area came under
the British rule in 1897, the new country was called the Dominion of
Canada, or simply Canada. Canada is a union of ten provinces and two
territories.
Compared with other large countries, Canada has a small population, only
about 27,300,000. The country, however, is one of the world’s most
prosperous. Canadians developed its rich natural resources and, in the
process, have achieved a high standard of living.
Canada is a constitutional monarchy. It is a member of the Commonwealth
of Nations and Queen Elizabeth II is its official head of state.
Although the Queen holds this position, she doesn’t rule. She serves as a
symbol of British tradition. Her representative in Canada is the
Governor General, whom she appoints on the advice of the Canadian Prime
Minister. The Governor’s duties are limited to symbolic, mostly
ceremonial acts.
The real power belongs to the Prime Minister and his Cabinet. The
Canadian Parliament consists of two chambers: the House of Commons and
the Senate.
There are two official languages in the country: English and French. All
Canadian children have to learn both French and English at school, but
Francophones and Anglophones do not enjoy learning each other’s
language.
"We have two races, two languages, two systems of religious belief, two
sets of laws… two systems of everything,” said one Canadian journalist.
The capital of Canada is Ottawa.
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