 Canada is the second largest country in the world and is home to a wonderful nation of people and an impressive collection of sights and attractions. Few countries in the world offer the range of bustling cities, rugged mountain hideaways, open plains, and remote settlements where tourists of all ages can lose themselves in either relaxation or adventure.
 The nation has ten discrete provinces and three territories, each with unique cultural and geographical attributes. Canada stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward well past the Arctic Circle almost to the North Pole. The country is home to some of the best skiing in the world, boasting the Laurentian Mountains and the Canadian Rockies.
A truly rugged wilderness experience can be found in the Northern Territories. There you will find remote Inuit settlements and some of the most isolated fishing spots in the world. You will also find animals such as the Arctic fox, black bear, lynx, wolverine, polar bear and wolf.
 Canada is not just about the outdoors and nature. It is also home to many cultural attractions. Tourists love the regional festivals, such as Carnaval de Quebec each winter and the Summer Solstice Festival in Yellowknife. If museums are more your style, there are over 1,700 of them all across the country, ranging from large national institutions to small local and regional historical institutions.
 Air travel to and from Canada is easy and convenient. There are thirteen international airports and easy access to worldwide destinations. Air Canada is the primary national airline with extensive service throughout the country. There are also regional airlines and charter companies that serve smaller communities and the many remote areas of Northern Canada.
For those looking to discover the vast expansiveness of Canada, the VIA Rail system has extensive passenger service and offers several economical discount passes that can take you anywhere in the country.
Weather
 Canada stretches from the Arctic Circle southwards; so much of Northern Canada is inhospitable and very cold and consequently, few people live here. With most communities situated in the South and along the southern reaches of the eastern and western coastlines, tourists will find Canada's climate is not as cold all year as some may believe. In winter, temperatures fall below freezing throughout most of Canada, but the south-western coast has a relatively mild climate. Along the Arctic Circle, mean temperatures are below freezing for seven months a year, but few will visit here
 During the summer months, the southern provinces often experience high levels of humidity and temperatures can often reach 30°C. Western and south-eastern Canada experience high rainfall, but the Prairies are dry with 250 mm to 500 mm of rain every year.
History
 What is known as present-day Canada was originally populated by Indian and Inuit tribes. The Vikings were the first European explorers to visit the country, arriving in the 10th century. From 1496, English and French explorers sailed to Canada on numerous occasions. In 1608 France established a colony called Quebec, which was soon to expand and cover a large amount of what we now call Canada. Quebec, which was also known as New France, became a French province in 1663. This started a trend, and from 1670 onwards, English settlers also established colonies.
 The whole of Canada surrendered to British control in 1763 after the defeat of France by the British in the Seven Years War. This remarkable victory, by General Wolfe on the Plains of Abraham, resulted in the fall of the city of Quebec and remains one of the great victories of Military history. The captured French colony of Quebec was allowed to maintain its French culture and language to pacify the majority of its population. However in 1791, due to the protests of the British colonists, Quebec was split into English speaking Upper Canada and French speaking Lower Canada. Both colonies were given some democratic but limited self-government.
 In 1812, the Americans invaded Canada but were driven back by a mix of Canadian militias and some British troops. The Americans were surprised that the French Canadians resisted them and were shocked when Washington was burnt. In spite of this show of unity by Canadians, rebellions in both Upper and Lower Canada in 1837 were immediately stopped by the British army.
 In 1841, Upper and Lower Canada were united as the British colony of the Province of Canada. In 1848 Canada became a parliamentary state and in 1867 the British colonies of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Canada were united as the Dominion of Canada, a parliamentary federation and Canada developed as a stable democracy. Canadians fought alongside the British in WWI and universal suffrage was introduced to Canada in 1921.
 Canada finally became a fully independent country in 1931. During WWII, Canada fought alongside its British allies against the Germans and after the war, remained an active member of the British Commonwealth. The British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, also remains the Head of State in Canada and her representative, the Governor General, acts for her in the country although this is purely a ceremonial position.
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