Canada has been a gentle and quieter in comparison to its vibrant and vivacious neighbor, the USA. While hockey would always have a special place in the heart of every Canadian. There are many Canada facts and Canada travel information which many people are not aware of.
We have compiled a series of things you did not know about Canada which will help you expand your limited knowledge about Canada and enhance your Canada travel experience. Some of these unique facts about Canada will take you by surprise, especially when you consider the ease and benefits of obtaining a Canada visa to explore this beautiful country.
1. Canada is much bigger than the combined European Union
Canada is the second biggest country in the world after Russia, so the vastness of this great country is a well-known fact, but comparisons in size have never been done frequently. No specific reason why. If we combine the entire European Union, it still will not match up to the size of Canada. If we compare it with individual nations, then it is 15 times bigger than France, 33 times bigger than Italy, 30% bigger than Australia, three times as big as India, five times as big as Mexico, and probably 81,975 Walt Disney Worlds put together. That is enormous!
2. Canada recorded the lowest temperature which is as cold as Mars
You won’t believe this one, but it is actually true. The climate in Canada during the winters is extreme and can be too harsh for a first timer as well as for an experienced traveler. In general, the temperatures go down to -14.4°C. So be prepared if you are planning for Canada holidays during the winter. Stuff your bags with as many warm clothes as you can. The lowest temperature recorded was -63°C in a tiny village of Snag in the year 1947. This is the average surface temperature on the planet Mars.
3. Canada has 10% of the world’s forests
Canada has a lush green cover, in fact, it covers 30% of the boreal forests of the world and 10% of the total forest of the world with 68% of the forests being coniferous. An incredible dedicated 396.9 million hectares of forest land and other wooden lands can be found here. One of the most surprising facts about these forests is that they are publicly owned. You have to cover 30% of Canada to browse through these spectacular forest land.
4. Canada houses more lakes than you can ever imagine
For a country as cold as Canada, lakes should be rare here, but the lake area in Canada is much more than every other country in the world. The grand Great White North houses 563 lakes in Canada, which cover an area of more than 100 square kilometers. The Great Lakes contributes approximately 18% of the fresh lake water of the world. That is a significant amount. Any guesses why the country’s allies are all thirsty.
5. Canada has the world’s longest coastline
Researchers say that it would probably take you four and a half years to cover the entire length of the Canadian coastline by foot. While Canada may not have the typical tourist attractions like crystal clear blue waters or white sandy beaches. Three different oceans namely the Atlantic, the Arctic, and the Pacific border this vast coastline of Canada. It covers 356,000 kilometers of oceanfront property. Only Indonesia with a meager 54,716 kilometers of coastline comes somewhere close.
6. Canada is home to some gigantic national parks
Considering the humongous size of Canada’s land mass, it is no surprise that the parks are bigger than found in most of the countries. The Nahanni National Park Reserve in the Northwest Territories is blessed with natural waterfalls and covers a spectacular area of 30,050 square kilometers, which is much bigger than countries such as Israel and Albania. The Wood Buffalo National Park in Alberta and the Northwest Territories covers an incredible 44,807 square kilometers, which is bigger than the size of Denmark and Switzerland.
7. The northernmost settlement in the world is in Alert, Nunavut
The northernmost tip of Ellesmere Island is just 817 kilometers from the North Pole, mostly inhabited due to its extreme temperatures. But in Alert, Nunavut, the military and the scientist have a base to conduct research. There may not be entertainment facilities like a movie theater or mall, but it stands on record as the northernmost settlement of the world. The warmest month here is in July and records an average temperature of 3.4°C and the coldest month records an average temperature of -32.19°C. Any guesses for naming the place as Alert.
8. The only walled city in North America is in Canada
The Quebec City is the only city in North America which is blessed with fortified walls, popularly referred as the Fortifications of Quebec. The French inaugurated these balls and later the English took the mantle between the 17th & 19th centuries. The entire historic district in Quebec including ramparts has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
9. Canada has an incredible oil reserve
Canada can recover 176.8 billion recoverable barrels of oil from oil sands. That is humongous by any standards. Crude bitumen which is a semi-solid source of petroleum is found in abundance. Canada is home to around 70.8% of the world’s accessible oil barrels – six times more than Russia and four times more than Kazakhstan.
10. The strongest current in North America is measured in Canadian waters
The Seymour Narrows in British Columbia offers an incredible atmosphere and ambiance for swimming in the natural waters. This stretch of water is also home to some of the strongest tidal currents ever measured with flood speeds touching 17km/h and ebb speeds of 18km/h.
11. Canada has a secret underground laboratory in Sudbury, Northern Ontario
Canada has been actively involved in international research for new forces and forms of matter. The SNOLAB is on record the deepest clean laboratory in the world which is dedicated to the study of neutrino and dark matter physics. This lab was built underground to avoid interference with the environmental and solar radioactivity.
12. Canada harvests its own Icebergs in Labrador and Newfoundland
Come the spring season each year, massive islands of ice broken off of glaciers in Greenland pass through the Iceberg Alley through the coast of Labrador and Newfoundland. There are several entrepreneurs who have invested heavily in harvesting these massive chunks of ices for unique products like beer, wine, vodka, and other skincare products.
13. The Mystical Archipelago of Canada’s West Coast
Off the coast of British Columbia lies a mystical archipelago steeped in natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. Haida Gwaii, formerly known as the Queen Charlotte Islands, is a remote paradise that captivates visitors with its unique ecosystem and indigenous history. This archipelago is home to distinctive flora and fauna, including the Haida Gwaii black bear. Often called the “Galapagos of the North” due to its ecological diversity, the islands boast ancient temperate rainforests and rugged coastlines. Interesting facts about Haida Gwaii include its preservation of rich indigenous culture through ancient totem poles and vibrant artistry. The archipelago also offers unparalleled opportunities for wildlife viewing, hiking, and experiencing the traditional Haida way of life.
No matter where you travel to Canada, you will come across some intriguing and interesting facts about Canada. Connect with our panel of travel experts to obtain your Canada visa and explore this beautiful country to the fullest.