About Canada - A Guide to The Prairies
The Prairies are known as Canada's breadbasket as the provinces produce a huge wealth of agricultural products that are distributed worldwide. These three provinces form a large section of the one of the largest land masses in the world are are geometric in shape running along very straight divisional lines north to south. These lands are varied and extreme running from flat plains that run for mile after mile to tall mountains that are the famous Rockies.
The Prairie Provinces:
Alberta
Saskatchewan
Manitoba
Edmonton holds the largest mall west of Asia and Canada's largest historic park with a lush river valley which is the largest parkland area in North America and is dubbed Canada's festival city.
Calgary is home to the world famous Calgary Stampede and one of the biggest international airports in Canada. It is a product of oil culture, meaning, without the big oil boom in the 70s, 80s, and 90s, Calgary would have half the population.
Canada
Canada is located directly above the United States of America, sharing land borders with the country, and comprises most of North America. The country extends from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean (east to west) and north into the Arctic Ocean.
A parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarchy, Canada is a federation that comprises ten provinces and three territories. It is officially bilingual and multicultural with English and French represented at federal level.
Geography:
Canada shares a land border with the United States of America to the South and to the Northwest. Being the second largest country in the world, it stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and to the North until the Arctic Ocean.
Canada's climate varies based on geography - in the north the temperature is almost permanently at freezing level, however towards the equator there are generally four distinct seasons. In this region the temperature can climb up to 35 degrees Celsius in the Summer and descend to a chilly -25 degrees Celsius during Winter. This means that most Canadian cities are within 300 km of the southern border - it is here that mild springs, hot summers and crisp autumns reign.
Winters are harsh in many areas of the country and in non-coastal areas snow can cover the ground for almost six months of the year. Interior and Prairie provinces experience a continental climate.
Government:
Canada runs as a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy. The Prime Minister is the Head of Goverment, while the Head of State is Queen Elizabeth II. The Head of State retains formal constitutional power along with the Governor General who acts as an appointed representative to the Crown. They both defer the actual exercise of executive power to the Cabinet.
The Prime Minister heads the Cabinet, which is made up of ministers who are accountable to the elected House of Commons. The House of Commons and an appointed Senate make up the federal parliament, which is headed by the Queen/Governor General. Senate members are chosen by the Prime Minister and serve until they reach the age of 75.
Foreign Relations:
Canada and the United States of America share a unique relationship. They co-operate on military campaigns, are the largest trading partners and share the world's longest undefended border. Despite this, Canada has striven to maintain an independent foreign policy.
Canada is a founding member of NATO and is a member of the UN, the Commonwealth of Nations and La Francophonie.
Did You Know?
- Canada's national motto is A Mari Usque Ad Mare, which translated from Latin means "From Sea to Sea" and is no doubt in reference to the large land mass the country boasts.
- Canada's official national sports are ice hockey (Winter) and lacrosse (Summer).
© Written by E.J.Clarke.
Canada
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