Canada

Population:  30,000,000
Area:  9,976,140 sq. km
Capital:  Ottawa, Ontario
Head of State:  PM Jean Chretien
Official Language:  English / French
Currency:  Canadian Dollar (C$)
Exchange Rate:  C$1 = US$0.70
Time:  GMT -5 (EST)

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Canada is the second largest country in the world after Russia and occupies a land mass of almost 10 million square kilometres.  Canada is divided into 10 provinces and two territories.  Ottawa, located in the province of Ontario, is the capital city.

The Canadian landscape is vast and the terrain ranges from the Rocky Mountains and plains in the west, to the lowlands of the southeast, and to the Arctic tundra in the far North.  Because the country is so large the climate varies considerably with geographic location and season.  With the exception of the Pacific coast, winters can be harsh with large amounts of snow and sub-zero temperatures.

The population of Canada is 30 million with 90% of the people living within 161 km of the US / Canada border.  Although the majority of Canadians are of British or European descent, Canada is quickly becoming more ethnically diverse as immigration (especially Asian) increases.  Indigenous people, including First Nations Indians and Inuit, comprise 1.5% of the Canadian population.

Canada gained independence from Great Britain on July 1, 1867 although it remains part of the Commonwealth and Queen Elizabeth II is officially the Chief of State.

Canada has a diverse and highly developed economy with vast natural resources.  Canadians enjoy one of the highest standards of living in the world and Canada is consistently number one on the United Nations list of best countries to live in.

For further details on population, climate, geography, economy, etc. check out the following links:

CIA Fact Sheet on Canada
Canada and Area Maps
Current Canadian Weather