CANADA

CANADA

Canada is a monarchy in North America and a self governed part of the Commonwealth. The commonwealth, is a ‘’union’’ with earlier British colonized countries. The queen in Britain is a symbolic head of these countries. Canada lays in the nothern part of North America, except Alaska and Greenland, and is the second largest country in the world after Russia. Canada stretches itself all the way from the Atlantic in the east to the Pacific in the west and northward into the Arctic Ocean. The border to USA follows the upper part of the St Lawrence river, and the Great lakes and continues west along the 49th latitude. The eastern and central parts of Canada is a wide bedrock-plateau with many lakes. In the west there are high mountain ranges (Mount Logan is the highest with 5959 m. above sea level). The middle part of the country is a part of the American prairie. In the North an extensive tundra contains the biggest part. The main-section of south-Canada has a continental climate, with cold winters and hot summers. Along the pacific-coast, the climate is warmer, but it is ‘’wetter’’ than the other parts of the county.
 * GEOGRAPHY **

**Canada consists of ten provinces.** ·  Alberta ·  British Columbia ·  New Brunswick ·  Nova Scotia ·  Ontario ·  Prince Edwards Island ·  Quebec ·  Saskatchewan ·  Newfoundland ·  Labrador
 * GREAT **** CITIES **** AND THINGS WORTH SEEING **

·  Yukon ·  Northwest territories ·  Nunavut
 * Canada also has three territories: (Canada)**

The capital of Canada is Ottawa, and is the fourth biggest city in the country. It was founded in 1855 and has a population of approximately 822600 people. The city lies in the province Ontario. Toronto is the biggest city in Canada and is the capital of the province Intarioa. Some 5,6 million people live in Toronto. That makes it the North Americas fifth biggest city. It is also one of the most important financial and tradecenter in Canada and North America. The population in Toronto is an international population with over 80 ethnic groups and over hundred different languages. The main airport (Toronto Pearson International) is one of the busiest airports in the world.

Toronto pearson international airport is one of the biggest in the world
 * [[image:800px-Toronto_Pearson_Airport_-_Terminal_1.jpg width="642" height="119"]]

Things worth seeing if you are in Canada** CN TOWER NIAGRA FALLS CALGARY TOWER
 * CN Tower is located in Toronto. The 533 meter high radio and TV tower is the highest detached building in the world. Over 2 million tourists come to Toronto to see this tower every year,
 * Niagara Falls is in Canada. This waterfall is one of the most famous waterfalls in the whole world. The water has a fall of over 50 metres and the river separates the border between USA and Canada. Thousands of tourists come from all over the world to see this fantastic sight.
 * Another famous building in Canada is the Calgary tower in Calgary. Sitting in the 626 feet tall building gives a fantastic view over the city, the surrounding flatlands and the spectacular Rocky Mountains in the west. In special occurrences the flame on the top of the tower is lighted. The tower has an turning restaurant so you can eat your dinner while enjoying the view.
 * [[image:Cn_tower.jpg width="152" height="260"]] [[image:Opening_shot_of_falls_from_Niagra_trailer_1.jpg width="232" height="238"]] [[image:447px-Calgary_Tower_1.jpg width="183" height="247"]]

History ** Canada was first discovered by the Norwegian explorer Leiv Eriksson in the years around the first millennium. (1000) The Italian-English voyager John Cabot rediscovered the country in 1497. Even though Canada was discovered by the Europeans in the years around 1000, native people from Asia were the first people in the country. According to the history, the natives used a ‘’bridge’’ between Siberia and Alaska to reach Canada. Archaeologists think that the immigration happened for over 30000 years ago. Some of the natives settled in Canada, while others continued further south. When Eriksson and the other European explorers ‘’discovered’’ Canada, the country was already crowded with people.

The French were the first people to colonize Canada. Due to the country’s rich fishbanks, many animals and worthy resources, Canada became important to France. In 1608 they laid the foundation of the City Québec. Even though they had colonized some of the country, only 2000 people lived in New France, and they had a problem. The British laid the foundation of Hudson Bay in the year of 1670 and they were a rival to the French in the trademarked. Since there were two major countries that had occupied this country, it was inevitable that wars between the two countries would break out. The British and the French had already a history of bloody fights before, but it was after the seven year war in 1756 to 1763 that Canada was finally ruled by only England..The 65000 French people that lived in Canada at that time, were forced to obey the British laws, but kept their traditions, language and culture. Therefore are French language, French cities and French culture still parts of Canada.  In 1867 Canada became the first self-governed part of the commonwealth. In 1931 Canada got its independence from Great Britain, but it was in 1982 that Canada received its own constitution which was independent from England. Even though Canada was independent from England in 1931, the British queen is still the head of the state but she doesn’t control the country.

**SIMILARITIES BETWEEN ENGLAND AND CANADA**  An obvious similarity between Canada and England is of course the language. Even though 25 % of the Canadian people speak French, English is the major language. When the British colonized Canada, they spoke English. It was therefore natural that English was going to be the language in their colonized country. The language isn’t the only thing that is similar between these two countries, there are so much more!

**Political system** The Canadian parliamentary system is pretty much the same as in their England. The Canadian parliament kept the traditions from the British parliament and consists of the Queen (in Canada represented with the governor-general, the senate (upper House) and the House of commons.  I t has 104 members who are selected from Canada’s main provinces; Ontario, Quebec, the provinces in the west and the Atlantic-provinces. The upper House has the same power as the House of Commons, with a few exceptions. The house of commons is very important. There are 301 members, one from the 301 selections districts and is the most important legislative organ. According to the Canadian constitution, a new house of common must be selected every fifth year. Like in Britain and the other countries in the Commonwealth, one member from every selection-district is selected in every selection.

**Sports**  England     and Canada both have a long history of good sport performances. Ice hockey is the biggest sport in Canada and you may think that it has no connection to England. Well, that is wrong. When England colonized Canada, they played a game called field – hockey. Due to the cold winters and much snow, the game got a twist; they used skates instead of shoes. The name also changed from field –hockey to ice – hockey. The sport became very popular in Canada and the Canadians were got the hand of it very early. In the last hundred years, Canada has been the best country in this sport and they’ve managed to win the world championship several times and their performances in the Olympics are excellent. So the Canadian can thank the British for their victories, because without the British, there wouldn’t be any Field-hockey, and then there wouldn’t be any ice-hockey.

Ice- hockey was originally a sport that was developed from England. Here we see they famous Canadian player Tony Amonte
 * [[image:312px-TonyAmonte.jpg width="173" height="298"]]

Religion and music** Christianity is the main religion in these two countries. Christmas day is a holy day for both the Canadian and the British. They celebrate this day at the same time, they eat pretty much the same food, and they all give presents to each other. Music is also a big part of these two countries. They have a long tradition of good artist, and some of the best music through all time comes form these two countries. England is the mother to artists like The Beatles, Robbie Williams and Elton John. I could have continued this list of artists, but then there would be no more space to the Canadian artists. Because Canada **also** has a good reputation when it comes to good artists. Have you heard about artists like Brian Adams, Celine Dion, Shania Twain and Avril Lavigne? Well, they all come from Canada.


 * Shania twain, Brian Adams and Celine Dion come from Canada.**

Here is a little video-summary of the presantation about Canada;

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**SOURCES:** www.snl.no www.caplex.no [|www.wikipedia.no] http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page (pictures)