Canada

1534 – French explorer Jacques Cartier arrives: Cartier lands on the shores of what is now Canada, beginning the French colonization of the region

1608 – Founding of Quebec City: Samuel de Champlain establishes the first permanent French settlement in Canada

1763 – Treaty of Paris: France cedes Canada to Britain after the Seven Years’ War

1867 – Confederation of Canada (Monday, July 1, 1867): The British North America Act unites Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia to form Canada

1914–1918 – Canada participates in World War I: Canada joins the Allies in WWI, with significant contributions and sacrifices

1931 – Statute of Westminster: Canada gains legislative independence from Britain

1947 – Canada’s citizenship created: Canada establishes its own citizenship separate from British subject status

1967 – Centennial Year: Canada celebrates its 100th anniversary of confederation

1982 – Constitution Act: Canada patriates its constitution, including the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

1999 – Creation of Nunavut: The territory of Nunavut is established, the newest and largest of Canada’s provinces and territories

2003 – Canada’s involvement in the Iraq War: Canada participates in the war with humanitarian aid but does not send troops into combat

2020 – COVID-19 pandemic impact: Canada imposes strict lockdowns and border restrictions to control the spread of COVID-19

2021 – Justin Trudeau re-elected: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is re-elected for a third term in office

Continent: North America
Location: Bordered by the United States to the south, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the Pacific Ocean to the west, and the Arctic Ocean to the north
Capital: Ottawa
Language: English (official), French (official)
Currency: Canadian dollar (CAD)
Population: ~39 million (last updated: April 2025)
Time Zone: Multiple (Pacific Standard Time to Atlantic Standard Time)

Atlantic Standard Time (AST, UTC-4)

Pacific Standard Time (PST, UTC-8)

Mountain Standard Time (MST, UTC-7)

Central Standard Time (CST, UTC-6)

Eastern Standard Time (EST, UTC-5)

Borders: United States
Landscape: Vast forests, mountain ranges (Rockies, Appalachians), plains, tundra, and extensive coastline
Major Rivers: St. Lawrence River, Fraser River, Mackenzie River
Notable Features: Rocky Mountains, Niagara Falls, Great Lakes, Banff National Park

Ethnic Groups: Predominantly European (British, French), with significant Indigenous, Chinese, Indian, and other ethnic communities
Religion: Christianity (Catholicism and Protestantism), with a growing secular population and smaller communities of Islam, Hinduism, and others
Urban Population: ~81% (last updated: 2023)
Population Notes: Canada is known for its multiculturalism, with large immigrant populations from Asia, Europe, and Africa.

Famous For: Multiculturalism, maple syrup, hockey, ice-skating, and vibrant arts
Cuisine: Poutine, butter tarts, maple syrup, bacon, and seafood (lobster, salmon)
Arts: Literature (Margaret Atwood, Leonard Cohen), music (Justin Bieber, Drake), film (Toronto International Film Festival), and theater
Sports: Ice hockey (national sport), lacrosse, Canadian football, skiing

Economy Type: Highly developed, mixed economy with a strong service and natural resource sector
GDP: Approx. $2.2 trillion USD (last updated: 2024)
Major Industries: Natural resources (oil, timber, minerals), manufacturing, services, finance, and technology
Key Exports: Oil, vehicles, machinery, electrical machinery, agricultural products
Unemployment Rate: ~5.2% (last updated: 2024)
Economic Regions: Major economic activities are centered around Ontario (Toronto), Quebec (Montreal), and Alberta (Calgary, Edmonton).

Government Type: Federal parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy
Head of State: King Charles III (last updated: April 2025)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (last updated: April 2025)
Legislature: Bicameral (House of Commons and Senate)
Constitution: The Constitution Act of 1982 (including the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms)

Niagara Falls: World-famous waterfalls located on the border with the U.S.
Banff National Park: Located in the Canadian Rockies, famous for its lakes, mountains, and wildlife
Toronto: The largest city in Canada, known for its CN Tower and multicultural neighborhoods
Vancouver: A coastal city with scenic views, beaches, and outdoor activities
UNESCO World Heritage Sites: 19 (last updated: 2023)