Oh Canada, as the national anthem is titled, is actually a very appropriate way to describe this incredibly vast and beautiful country. Canada is the largest country, by landmass, in the Western hemisphere and the 2nd largest in the world, smaller than only Russia. Even with all that land, Canada is only the 39th most populated country in the world. Interestingly, 90% of Canadians live within 100 miles of the border with the United States.
Canada is one of the only countries in the world bordered by three oceans – the Atlantic, the Pacific, and the Arctic.
While you might not think of warm sun and sandy beaches, Canada has nearly 2/3’s of the world’s oceanic coastline. It has more ocean-front property than any other country in the world.
Canada has more surface area covered by freshwater lakes than any other country in the world. The Great Lakes contain 18% of the world’s freshwater supply. That’s a lot of water!
Some national parks in Canada are bigger than some entire countries, including Denmark and Switzerland.
The territory of Nunavut contains the world’s most northerly settlement.
Made up of 7 provinces and 3 territories, Canada provides a nearly endless supply of naturally beautiful locations and vibrant, friendly cities to visit. From Nova Scotia and Newfoundland in the northeast to Vancouver and Vancouver Island in the southwest, the beauty of Canada is a must to explore.
“A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.”
~ Lao Tzu
The most commonly held notion of Canada’s climate is cold, very cold. While this is true in some areas Canada’s large geographic land mass provides for very diverse regional climates. The country is actually as tall as it is wide, lending to a wide range of seasonal temperatures and climate variations. The southern west coast in the Vancouver area can be moderate and very rainy. In fact, the most southern region in Canada (Windsor, Ontario) lines up with northern California on the map.
The eastern Atlantic coastal areas are colder due to the northern Atlantic currents. The northern areas of the country include brutally cold artic and sub-artic climates. Go far enough north in Canada and you can experience the Aurora Borealis and nearly continual darkness in the winters and 23-hour daylight in the summers. In fact, the northern portion of Canada is considered to be a desert, with very small amounts of annual precipitation.
Canada is definitely a four seasons country, with the length of the seasons changing with the regions. Depending on the area of the country the summer average temperatures can vary from the mid-40s F to the low 80s. Winter temperatures can average as low as 5 F and dip to extremes of -40 F in the northern regions and on the prairies.
The spring can be a beautiful time to visit Canada. Late March and April see the return of early blooming flowers and greenery.
The temperatures in the summer can range from 70 to 80 degrees, occasionally getting much warmer, particularly in the southern regions. The climate in the southern regions can also be very humid, adding to the heat index. The summer season is an excellent time to visit the central prairies.
Given the change of seasons, the fall can be stunningly beautiful in Canada. Most regions in the country will experience the foliage color change during this time. The added bonus is that crowds will be smaller at the prime visitor destinations.
Definitely a season to dress appropriately. The interior provinces and the northern territories can be exceptionally cold with a significant amount of snow. Consider that Winnipeg, which is located in the southern portion of Manitoba is considered to be one of the oldest cities in the world. Skiers and other winter sports enthusiasts will love the conditions. Just pack for the trip and bundle up.
Canada is a bilingual nation, with English and French both being listed as official languages. While English is the most commonly spoken language in the country, French is dominant in the province of Quebec and in pockets in the other provinces. About 30% of Canadians can speak enough French to be considered to be a “Francophone” with the majority of those being in Quebec, where the official language policy is “French first”.
The culture in Canada is considered to be a “patchwork” consisting of many nationalities and local language dialects. There are many languages spoken across Canada, often found in the various cultural districts in city neighborhoods or in small towns. It is not uncommon for immigrants in some of these communities to speak only their native language and to have very limited English or French ability.
Canada is also home to some aboriginal languages, however, these are used primarily in rural and northern areas and are declining in use.
Generally speaking, if you are visiting Canada a basic command of English will go a very long way as you journey across the country. To a lesser degree, but especially in Quebec, some understanding of French can also be very helpful.
As you travel across Canada, you will encounter six different time zones. The easternmost time zone is the Newfoundland time zone, which is the only one that differs by 30 minutes from the neighboring Atlantic time zone. From east to west, the remainder of the time zones are Eastern, Central, Mountain, and Pacific zones, each changing time by one hour.
Canada does observe the annual change from standard time to daylight saving time, with DST being in effect from the second Sunday in March through to the first Sunday in November. Oddly, in some cities located close to the time zone boundaries, the time zone changes with the seasons as these municipalities have elected not to participate in daylight savings time.
Most visitors to Canada will require a visa, or what is known as an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). This includes those that may just be in-transit through a Canadian airport. The entry requirements will vary depending on your nationality, the type of travel documents that you have, and how you have traveled to Canada. In some cases, just your passport is all that is needed.
Find out more about what documentation you need to travel to Canada by visiting the Canadian Government visitor visa requirements page.
The Canadian dollar (CAD) is the official currency in Canada. Not to be confused with the US dollar, there is a significant exchange rate between the two currencies. The US dollar is accepted at a majority of commercial establishments, particularly in the border regions of Canada. It is wise, however, to either exchange your currency at a bank or currency exchange outlet to get the best conversion rates.
Banks and currency exchanges will accept many currencies. Automated teller machines, also known as ATMs, are common across Canada and will allow you to obtain Canadian currency as long as your banking card is enabled with one of the commonly used networks such as Interac. The use of credit cards is also a convenient way to make purchases in Canada and eliminate the need for cash currency exchange.
Following this link for information on current exchange rates to Canadian dollars.
Canadians and their traditions are best described as multicultural and social. The customs in Canada have been heavily influenced by western European countries with a strong British and French impact. Canada shares a huge border and close relationship with the United States. As a result, American influence is also strong. Canadian indigenous people’s influences can frequently be experienced as you travel across the country.
As a rule, Canadian values are based on the ideals of politeness, fairness, inclusiveness, and social justice. It’s not uncommon to hear a Canadian apologize for seemingly minor indiscretions. Canadians are generally open and very accepting of other cultures. The culture is often described as a “mosaic” of transitions and immigrant cultures. These views are strongly supported by the government’s multiculturalism approach to social policy.
Most people in the country and casual and informal in their interactions with each other and visitors. As you travel you should expect to find your way into neighborhood cultural districts with a distinctly ethnic feel, including food, dress, and language. Canada is a relatively young country and has long been one of the world’s most welcoming of immigration. The culture in the communities across the country reflects this diversity.
Given that Canadians value politeness it’s not surprising that they are generally private and stay away from personal topics with new acquaintances and in casual conversations. Topics such as family life, religion, and politics are often avoided until you get to know each other a bit.
National holidays in Canada are generally observed based on the common Christian traditions including Christmas and Easter. However, given Canada’s multicultural society, it’s very common to encounter celebrations related to other religious holidays or social occasions. Thanksgiving, New Years, and Labor Day are also commonly observed across Canada. Canadians also love a party and celebrate occasions such as Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Cinco Da Mayo, and Halloween.
Professional sporting events are a major part of Canada’s social scene, as are the various entertainment venues such as movies, concerts, and live theater. While hockey is a national passion, baseball, soccer (aka football), and basketball all have a prominent place in Canada’s sports scene. Golf has become increasingly popular, as are tennis and outdoor winter sports such as skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling.
The electrical standards in Canada are based on 120-volt power running on a 60 Hz frequency. This is generally common across all of North America. Small appliances and devices you might travel with are generally compatible with the Canadian electrical grid.
Outlets in Canada use the “Type A” or “Type B” configuration. Plugs and outlets used in Canada are pictured below.
Service staff in Canadian restaurants and other foodservice establishments heavily rely on tips and gratuities to supplement their wages. While tips are at the discretion of the customer and should be based on the service provided, it is considered very rude not to leave a gratuity for the waitstaff. 15-20% is considered customary for average service and up to 25% if you have an excellent experience. Service would have to be very poor to awful to justify not leaving some sort of tip.
It is generally considered impolite and in bad form to bargain purchase prices in stores and marketplaces. Bargaining for a lower price at yard sales, flea markets, and similar venues is acceptable, but don’t expect drastic reductions. Offering an overly low price will most often be perceived as insulting and it will be difficult to do business as a result.
Canada has strict food and water safety standards and you should consider dining in restaurants and other food establishments to be safe. Drinking water is also generally of good quality in the urban areas and in most facilities in rural spots. As always, you should use good judgment and exercise caution when traveling. Be cautious about street food and food trucks that may encounter. While generally considered to be safe, standards enforcement can be more relaxed for these types of vendors.
While out enjoying Canada’s natural beauty, do not drink water from natural sources. While water from springs and rivers can be appealing, there is no guarantee of it’s suitability for safe consumption. Bottled water is widely available as an alternative. Be prepared if you are venturing out into natural areas and other places where you can not be sure of the water supply.
“I would rather own a little and see the world than own the world and see little of it.”
~ Alexander Sattler
Canadians see themselves as distinctly different from Americans and generally don’t like to be compared to their southern neighbors.
Canada’s national sport is actually lacrosse but the national passion is hockey. Many Canadians take their favorite hockey teams very seriously and it’s not uncommon to hear discussions about teams and players, particularly during the playoff season.
The “Loonies” ($1 coins), “Toonies” ($2 coins) and colorful currency made from plastic materials will be hard to redeem when you return home.
Canadians are big beer consumers and are very proud of their beer. Beer and sporting events also go hand-in-hand. Criticizing Canadian beer will likely be met with firm resistance.
Seriously. Canada has very strict regulations prohibiting possession of firearms without authorization. Handguns are prohibited with exceptions only for law enforcement and specifically authorized sporting use. Any firearms, ammunition, or weapons of any type must be declared when you enter the country. Not doing so could result in serious criminal charges, fines, and confiscation of your firearm.
Given the friendly nature of the relationship between Canada and the United States and Canadian’s general inclination toward politeness it can be easy to assume that the border security could be lax. Security is taken seriously and you may be ineligible to enter the country if you have a criminal record. In light of the COVID 19 pandemic it’s also important that you investigate current entry requirements. More information on entry requirements can be found on the Government of Canada website.
One of Canada’s greatest strengths is the countries natural beauty. Don’t be that guy or girl that compromises that beauty by carelessly tossing your litter.
Together with Hockey, “Timmies” as it’s often called, has been described as a Canadian Cultural institution. Tim Horton’s, which is a coffee and donut franchise, is named after a professional hockey player, is part of nearly every neighborhood, and is often a social gathering space.
Probably two of the most common words used in Canada, “I’m sorry” or just “sorry” is used for more than an apology. Often used like “excuse me” or “pardon me”. Canadians will often say I’m sorry and expect that the apology will be returned, regardless of who’s at fault.
Smoking in public places is largely banned across the country. Venues that allow smoking will most certainly have a designated smoking area, typically isolated from the main area.
Montreal is one of Canada's cultural gems. A large city with a small city European vibe, Montreal is a great place to visit at any time of the year.
The Montreal food scene has quickly become known as one of Canada's most unique and vibrant. Don't miss the chance to experience Montreal's eclectic culinary delights for yourself.
Quebec City, one of North America's oldest, has its cultural roots in France with an old-school feel influenced by this past. With plenty to do and see all year-round, a visit is well worth the trip.
April 11, 2022
