Learn More About Canada
General Information
· Country Name: Canada
· Continent: North America
· Capital: Ottawa
· Population: around 40,000,000
· Area: about 9,900,000 km² (second largest country in the world)
· Language: English and French are both official languages
· Currency: Canadian Dollar (CAD)
Landscape
Lakes, Forests, and Northern Lights: Canada’s Got Range
Canada is known for its incredible natural beauty. It has everything from towering mountains to endless forests, thousands of lakes, and icy tundra in the north. The Rocky Mountains continue from the US into western Canada, especially in Alberta and British Columbia. There you’ll find some breathtaking national parks like Banff and Jasper with turquoise lakes and snow-capped peaks.
Canada is also home to thousands of lakes—actually more than any other country in the world. The Great Lakes, shared with the US, are especially huge and feel more like seas than lakes. In winter, many of these lakes freeze over, and people go ice skating, ice fishing, or even play hockey on them.
In the east, you’ll find a mix of forests, rivers, and charming coastlines, especially in provinces like Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. And of course, there’s the north, with tundra and Arctic landscapes—super remote and wild, home to polar bears and the Northern Lights.
No matter where you end up in Canada, nature is a big part of everyday life. Even in big cities, there’s usually a park or trail nearby.
Culture & Traditions
Hockey, Maple Syrup, and Multicultural Life in Canada
Canada is often described as friendly, polite, and multicultural—and that’s honestly pretty accurate. The country is made up of people from all over the world, and most Canadians are very open-minded and accepting of different cultures.
A big part of Canadian culture is the outdoors. Camping, hiking, canoeing, skiing—it’s all super popular. Canadians also love their sports. Ice hockey is a huge deal (you’ll see it everywhere), but lacrosse is also one of the national sports. In some areas, people are really into curling, which is a winter sport played on ice with heavy stones.
French-speaking culture is strong in Québec, where French is the main language and a lot of traditions are different from the rest of the country. There are also many Indigenous communities throughout Canada, each with its own unique culture, traditions, and languages.
As for holidays, Canada has some similarities with the US, like celebrating Thanksgiving (but it’s in October), and Christmas is also widely celebrated. Canada Day on July 1st is kind of like their version of the Fourth of July, with fireworks and local celebrations.
Food-wise, Canada has a mix of different influences, but there are definitely a few classics: poutine (fries with cheese curds and gravy), butter tarts, and maple syrup are iconic Canadian things. And yes, maple syrup is taken very seriously!
Education System
What School Is Like in Canada: Subjects, Schedules, and Clubs
School in Canada usually goes from kindergarten to grade 12. After that, students can go to college or university. Depending on the province, high school might start in grade 9 or grade 10.
The school year usually starts in early September and ends in late June. Most schools have two semesters, and a typical school day runs from around 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Classes include the usual subjects like English, math, science, and history, but students can also choose electives like music, drama, digital media, or outdoor education. Some schools even offer French immersion programs, where most subjects are taught in French instead of English.
Extracurriculars are also a big part of school life in Canada. You can join sports teams (like hockey, volleyball, or track), clubs (such as robotics, student council, or improv), or special programs (like environmental groups or Model UN). These activities are a great way to make friends, especially for exchange students.
Daily Life
Tim Hortons, Outdoor Life, and Weekend Hangouts: Teen Life in Canada
Canadians enjoy a pretty relaxed lifestyle. After school or work, people often spend time with friends or family. Depending on the season, that could mean skating on a frozen pond, going skiing, or just hanging out at a coffee shop.
Tim Hortons, a Canadian coffee and donut chain, is basically a national treasure. You’ll probably visit one at some point—maybe even a few times a week!
Winter is a huge part of life in many parts of Canada, and it lasts a long time. People get used to bundling up, shoveling snow, and still going about their day no matter the weather. That said, summers can be warm and really beautiful, especially for camping or going to the lake.
Fun Fact
Canada has the longest coastline in the world—over 202,000 kilometers. If you tried to walk it all, it would take you over four years (without breaks)!
