Canada
Geography - People - Economy - Government - Communications - Transportation - Military - Transnational IssuesCountry information - Canada
Country name - conventional long form : none
Country name - conventional short form : Canada
Country name - local long form :
Country name - local short form :
Country name - former :
Country code : CA
Government type : constitutional monarchy that is also a parliamentary democracy and a federation
Capital - name : Ottawa
Capital - time difference : UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time)
National holiday : Canada Day, 1 July (1867)
Population : 33,212,696 (July 2008 est.)
Nationality - noun : Canadian(s)
Nationality - adjective : Canadian
Languages : English (official) 59.3%, French (official) 23.2%, other 17.5%
Currency (code) : Canadian dollar (CAD)
Currency code : CAD
Major infectious diseases - degree of risk :
Major infectious diseases - note :
Canada is located Northern North America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean on the east, North Pacific Ocean on the west, and the Arctic Ocean on the north, north of the conterminous US. The climate is varies from temperate in south to subarctic and arctic in north. The terrain is mostly plains with mountains in west and lowlands in southeast.
Background
This entry usually highlights major historic events and current issues and may include a statement about one or two key future trends.Background : A land of vast distances and rich natural resources, Canada became a self-governing dominion in 1867 while retaining ties to the British crown. Economically and technologically the nation has developed in parallel with the US, its neighbor to the south across an unfortified border. Canada faces the political challenges of meeting public demands for quality improvements in health care and education services, as well as responding to separatist concerns in predominantly francophone Quebec. Canada also aims to develop its diverse energy resources while maintaining its commitment to the environment.
