Pass The Passport

Places / North & Central America

Canada

Visited

At a glance

Region
North America
Capital
Ottawa
Population
41.7 million (2025)
Area
9,984,670 km²
Languages
English, French
Currency
Canadian dollar (CAD)
Drives on the
right
Calling code
+1
Visited: Canada

Country visited City visited Still to go Click a pin or country to read more. Zoom with + and −, a double-click or a pinch.

Before you go

Overview

Canada is located in the northern region of North America. It is the second-largest country in the world by area. Its border with the US stretches by 8,891 km making it the longest bi-national border in the world.

The country recorded a population of 37.59 million in 2019 and covers an area of 9.985 million km2. Its capital city is Ottawa.

Other major towns are Toronto, Montreal, Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver.

Skyline of Toronto

History

The land was founded in 1583 and became the first oversea territory of England. It became autonomous in 1931 along with other British colonies.

Later in 1982, it gained full independence from the UK when it formed a new constitution.

Food & culture

The country’s culture is greatly influenced by that of Britain and France.

The main crops grown here are barley, wheat, canola, soybeans, rye, white beans and corn.

The most popular dishes include poutine, butter tarts, Montreal-style bagels, dried smoked salmon, ketchup chips, pierogi and nova Scotian donair.

Wildlife

The main wild animals found here include American bison, Arctic hare, badger, beaver, bobcat, black bear, Canada lynx, caribou, coyote, polar bear, raccoon, wolf, red fox, meadow mice, moose and mountain lion.

Festivals & events

The National Day of Canada is held on 1st July.

Other major festivals are Quebec Winter Carnival, Ottawa Tulip Festival and Pacific Rim Whale Festival.

Banff National Park

Things to see

There is the Banff National Park, the oldest national park in the country, that was founded in 1885 and comprising of glaciers and ice fields, forest and alpine.

There is also Stanley Park, which is a public park surrounded by waters of English Bay and Burrard Inlet.

another interetsting place to visit is the Butchart Gardens, a group of flower gardens in Brentwood Bay, which is listed as a National Historic Site in the country.

Other must-visit places are CN Tower, Jasper National Park of Canada, Niagara Falls and Moraine Lake.

Interesting facts

The longest bi-national border in the world is the US-Canada border which stretches for 8,891 km.

It is the world’s second-largest country by area after Russia.

The country is home to Quebec, whcih is the largest producer of maple syrup.

City guides

Cities & towns I’ve visited

Famous hikes in Canada

Lake Agnes Teahouse

Distance
About 7 km return
Time
2 to 3 hours
Best time
June to September

How to do it: Climb from Lake Louise to a historic teahouse by an alpine lake. Use the park shuttle, as Lake Louise parking fills very early.

See it on my bucket list

West Coast Trail

Distance
75 km
Time
6 to 8 days
Best time
May to September

How to do it: A rugged coastal route on Vancouver Island with ladders, beaches and cable cars over rivers. Reservations are needed and include a safety briefing.

Run a marathon in Canada

Toronto Waterfront Marathon

Toronto · usually October

Canada's biggest marathon, flat and fast along the shore of Lake Ontario.

Dates move from year to year, so check the race website before you book.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Canada

0 of 22 visited. See every site I've been to.

My photos from Canada

From 3 trips, newest first, so you can see which places each set of photos came from.

2023–2024 Winter Chills

North Okanagan, Vernon, Chilliwack, Vancouver

Whole trip gallery
  • A man with two women in ski gear standing in front of ski slopes and pine trees.
  • Three people holding snowboards in a snowy mountain village with colourful buildings.
  • Dark blue mountains silhouetted against a dusky blue sky with an aeroplane contrail.
  • Canada
  • Skiers gathering near a chairlift on a sunny snowy slope surrounded by tall evergreen trees.
  • Canada
  • Colourful ski village buildings decorated with festive lights at night above a snowy street.
  • A man and a woman in winter coats standing in falling snow in a ski village.
  • A man in a winter coat standing on a snowy street lined with colourful wooden buildings.
  • Tall snow-covered fir trees lit warm gold against dark misty clouds.
  • Snow-laden pine trees lit up at night in the Canadian forest.
  • A snowy forest and ski runs on a mountainside under a heavy grey sky, with resort buildings below.

December 2014 USA & Canada Winter

Niagara Falls

Whole trip gallery
  • A man in a winter coat in front of the misty Horseshoe Falls at Niagara.

August 2014 USA & Canada Road Trip & Cruise

Vancouver

Whole trip gallery
  • A man in sunglasses taking a selfie above the high-rise towers of Vancouver.

Plan your trip to Canada

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Neighbours

Bucket List goals in Canada