Canada Guide and Resources

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Location
Northern North America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean on the east, North Pacific Ocean on the west, and the Arctic Ocean on the north, north of the conterminous US

Size Comparison To U.S-located Area
somewhat larger than the US

Geographic Coordinates
60 00 N, 95 00 W

Capital
Ottawa

Nationality
Canadian(s)

Currency
Canadian dollar (CAD)

Languages Spoken
English 59.3% (official), French 23.2% (official), other 17.5%

Population
31,902,268 (July 2002 est.)

Total Population Ratio Based On Gender
0.98 male(s)/female (2002 est.)

Migrant Ratio
6.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)

Ethnic Groups
British Isles origin 28%, French origin 23%, other European 15%, Amerindian 2%, other, mostly Asian, African, Arab 6%, mixed background 26%

Religion Demographics
Roman Catholic 46%, Protestant 36%, other 18% note: based on the 1991 census

Geographic Areas
Total :: 9,976,140 sq km
Land :: 9,220,970 sq km
Water :: 755,170 sq km
Coastline :: 202,080 km

Bordered By
United States

Argentina Climate
varies from temperate in south to subarctic and arctic in north

Terrain
mostly plains with mountains in west and lowlands in southeast

Natural Resources
iron ore, nickel, zinc, copper, gold, lead, molybdenum, potash, silver, fish, timber, wildlife, coal, petroleum, natural gas, hydropower

Natural Hazards
continuous permafrost in north is a serious obstacle to development; cyclonic storms form east of the Rocky Mountains, a result of the mixing of air masses from the Arctic, Pacific, and North American interior

Brief Geography Notes
second-largest country in world (after Russia); strategic location between Russia and US via north polar route; approximately 85% of the population is concentrated within 300 km of the US/Canada border

Government
confederation with parliamentary democracy

Administrative Districts
10 provinces and 3 territories