Geography

Covering most of the northern part of the North American continent and with an area larger than that of the United States, Canada
has an extremely varied topography. In the east, the mountainous maritime provinces have an irregular coastline on the Gulf of
St. Lawrence and the Atlantic. The St. Lawrence plain, covering most of southern Quebec and Ontario, and the interior
continental plain, covering southern Manitoba and Saskatchewan and most of Alberta, are the principal cultivable areas. They are
separated by a forested plateau rising from Lakes Superior and Huron.

Westward toward the Pacific, most of British Columbia, the Yukon, and part of western Alberta are covered by parallel mountain
ranges, including the Rockies. The Pacific border of the coast range is ragged with fjords and channels. The highest point in
Canada is Mount Logan (19,850 ft; 6,050 m), which is in the Yukon. The two principal river systems are the Mackenzie and the
St. Lawrence. The St. Lawrence, with its tributaries, is navigable for over 1,900 mi (3,058 km).

History

The first inhabitants of Canada were native Indian peoples, primarily the Inuit (Eskimo). The Norse explorer Leif Eriksson
probably reached the shores of Canada (Labrador or Nova Scotia) in 1000, but the history of the white man in the country
actually began in 1497, when John Cabot, an Italian in the service of Henry VII of England, reached Newfoundland or Nova
Scotia. Canada was taken for France in 1534 by Jacques Cartier. The actual settlement of New France, as it was then called,
began in 1604 at Port Royal in what is now Nova Scotia; in 1608, Quebec was founded. France's colonization efforts were not
very successful, but French explorers by the end of the 17th century had penetrated beyond the Great Lakes to the western
prairies and south along the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico. Meanwhile, the English Hudson's Bay Company had been
established in 1670. Because of the valuable fisheries and fur trade, a conflict developed between the French and English; in
1713, Newfoundland, Hudson Bay, and Nova Scotia (Acadia) were lost to England. During the Seven Years' War (1756–1763),
England extended its conquest, and the British general James Wolfe won his famous victory over Gen. Louis Montcalm outside
Quebec on Sept. 13, 1759. The Treaty of Paris in 1763 gave England control.

Development of Canadian culture

Canadian culture is a product of Canada's history and geography. Most of Canada's territory was inhabited and developed later
than other European colonies in the Americas, with the result that themes and symbols of pioneers, trappers, and traders were
important in the early development of Canadian culture.[2] The British conquest of Canada in 1759 brought a large Francophone
population under British rule, creating a need for compromise and accommodation, while the migration of United Empire
Loyalists from the Thirteen Colonies brought in strong British and American influences.

Although not without conflict, Canada's early interactions with First Nations and Inuit populations were relatively peaceful,
compared to the experience of native peoples in the United States. Combined with relatively late economic development in many
regions, this peaceful history has allowed Canadian native peoples to have a relatively strong influence on the national culture
while preserving their own identity.[3]

[edit] Bilingualism and multiculturalism

French Canada's early development was relatively cohesive during the 17th and 18th centuries, and this was preserved by the
Quebec Act of 1774, which allowed Francophone culture to survive and thrive within Canada.[4] In 1867, the British North
America Act was designed to meet the growing calls for Canadian autonomy while avoiding the overly-strong decentralization
that contributed to the Civil War in the United States.[5] The compromises made by Macdonald and Cartier set Canada on a path
to bilingualism,[6] and this in turn contributed to an acceptance of diversity that later led to both multiculturalism and tolerance of
Native culture and customs.

A Chinese gate in downtown Montreal.

Multicultural heritage is enshrined in Section 27 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In parts of Canada, especially
the major cities of Montreal, Vancouver, and Toronto (for example, in Toronto's Kensington Market area), multiculturalism itself
is the cultural norm and diversity is the force that unites the community.[8]
In Quebec, cultural identity is strong, and many French-speaking Quebecer commentators speak of a Quebec culture as
distinguished from English Canadian culture, but some also see Canada as a collection of several regional, aboriginal, and ethnic
subcultures.[9]

While French Canadian culture is the most obvious example, Celtic influences have allowed survival of non-English dialects in
Nova Scotia and Newfoundland; however, the influence of Ulster immigrants to Toronto has had the effect of minimizing Irish
influences in Ontario's culture, and highlighting British influences instead, until the 1980s. Canada's Pacific trade has also
brought a large Chinese influence into British Columbia and other areas.

Canada's cultural diversity also creates an environment much more accepting of LGBT people than one finds in the United States
or most other countries.[10] Canada has always placed emphasis on equality and inclusiveness for all people. For example, in
1995, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled in Egan v. Canada that sexual orientation should be "read in" to Section Fifteen of the
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, a part of the Constitution of Canada guaranteeing equal rights to all Canadians.
Following a series of decisions by provincial courts and the Supreme Court of Canada, on July 20, 2005, the Civil Marriage Act
(Bill C-38) received Royal Assent, legalizing same-sex marriage in Canada. Canada thus became the fourth country to officially
sanction same-sex marriage worldwide, after The Netherlands, Belgium, and Spain. Furthermore, by 2005, sexual orientation was
included as a protected status in the human rights laws of the federal government and of all provinces and territories.

Further information: LGBT rights in Canada

Aboriginal influences
Many native icons, such as this dreamcatcher, have been adopted by Canadians as a whole.

Aboriginal peoples in Canada interacted with Europeans as far back as 1000 AD,[11] but prolonged contact came only after
Europeans established permanent settlements in the 17th and 18th centuries. European written accounts, though biased, generally
noted friendliness on the part of the First Nations,[11] some of whom profited in trade with Europeans. Such trade generally
strengthened the more organized political entities such as the Iroquois Confederation.[12]

There were, and are, many distinct Aboriginal peoples across Canada, each with its own culture, beliefs, values, language, and
history. Much of this legacy remains celebrated artistically, and in other ways, in Canada to this day. Part of the emblem of the
Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics is an inunnguaq, a rock sculpture that is made by stacking stones in the shape of a human
figure, that is a part of Inuit culture.

[edit] Multicultural elements

Multiculturalism, officially endorsed in Section 27 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, has a large influence on
Canadian culture and the nation's perception of itself. According to the Department of Canadian Heritage.

Canada's ethnic, racial and religious diversity is rapidly increasing. According to the 2001 census, more than 200 ethnic origins
are represented in Canada. About 13.5 percent of the population is a member of a visible minority group and that proportion is
expected to reach 20 percent by 2016. Immigration now accounts for more than 50 percent of Canada's population growth,
with immigrants coming mainly from Asia and the Middle East. It is projected that, after 2025, Canada's population growth will
be based solely on immigration.

—Judith Larocque, Deputy Minister, "Serving Canada's Multicultural Population: Practical Approaches for Public Servants."[13]

[edit] Influence of American culture

Further information: Canada – United States relations

Easy access to broadcast media has brought many American influences into Canadian culture since the mid-20th century. In
reaction to this, Canadian broadcasters, in cooperation with the federal and provincial governments have attempted to emphasize
Canadian culture and values on the airwaves. One example of this is the Heritage Minute commercials on television (which act as
mini-history lessons). The Canadian government also gives money to programmers making Canadian TV shows. Defending and
enhancing national culture is a major priority for the Canadian government. The CRTC and the Department of Canadian Heritage
having responsibility for promoting Canadian culture.
In certain regards, Canada and the United States share a similar culture, which can be incorrectly defined as "North American."
Canadians are exposed to much American culture, due to the proximity of the United States, a common linguistic bond shared
between a majority of Canadians and their neighbours to the south, and the fact that both countries are multi-ethnic immigrant
societies that have shared populations for centuries. Most Canadians are familiar with American fast food restaurants, television
shows, movies, music, sports, and retail brands/stores. Some of these cultural elements (especially fast-food restaurants, movies,
television, and music) are available in Canada, but their existence does not imply that equivalent domestic "Canadian versions"
do not exist.

Despite the close ties, Canadian culture can also sometimes seek to differentiate itself from that of the United States. This
sometimes takes the form of mocking or insulting Americans, or embracing certain stereotypes of "American-ness" in the popular
media, for example the television shows An American in Canada or Talking to Americans, or the popular "I Am Canadian" ad
campaign of Molson Breweries. The reverse is also practiced, with many Americans and American media mocking or insulting
Canadians, for example the song Canadian Idiot by "Weird Al" Yankovic or otherwise exaggerating stereotypes. A certain
degree of rivalry—usually friendly in scope—often exists between the two countries.

Regardless of American influence and a high level of cultural mixing, the vast majority of Canadians are fully aware of their
cultural achievements. The Canadian music and television industries are strong and vibrant, and Canadian theatre and literature
are very much respected, not only domestically, but internationally as well. Canadian shows such as Flashpoint and Degrassi: The
Next Generation are becoming more and more popular not only within Canada, but slowly internationally as well. Canadian
bands such as Three Days Grace and Simple Plan also have a large international market as well as the Canadian market, proving
that quality Canadian content has staying power.

Canadian culture often has political overtones, though not necessarily of a partisan nature. Canadian idealism makes many
Canadians critical of government, social, and cultural institutions and traditions, comparing the status quo to their idealized view
of what Canada should and could become.

[edit] Canadian identity

Primary influences on the Canadian identity trace back to the arrival, beginning in the early 17th century, of French settlers to
Acadia and Saint Lawrence River valley, English settlers to Newfoundland and the British conquest and settlement of New
France from the early 18th century. First Nations played a critical part in the development of European colonies in Canada, from
their role in assisting exploration of the continent, the fur trade and inter-European power struggles to the creation of the Métis
people. Through their art and culture, First Nations, Inuit and Métis continue to exert influence on Canadian identity.

The question of Canadian identity was traditionally dominated by three fundamental themes: first, the often conflicted relations
between English Canadians and French Canadians stemming from the French Canadian imperative for cultural and linguistic
survival; secondly, the generally close ties between English Canadians and the British Empire, resulting in a gradual political
process towards complete independence from the imperial power and, finally, the close proximity of English-speaking Canadians
to the military, economic and cultural powerhouse of the United States. With the gradual loosening of political and cultural ties to
the United Kingdom, in the 20th century immigrants from European, African, Caribbean and Asian nationalities have shaped the
Canadian identity, a process that continues today with the continuing arrival of large numbers of immigrants from non British or
French backgrounds, adding the theme of multiculturalism to the debate.[14][15][16] Today, Canada has a diverse makeup of
nationalities and cultures and constitutional protection for policies that promote multiculturalism rather than a single national
myth[17].

The issue of Canadian identity remains under scrutiny, perhaps more than the identity of the people of any other modern
nation.[18] Journalist Andrew Cohen wrote in 2007:

The Canadian Identity, as it has come to be known, is as elusive as the Sasquatch and Ogopogo. It has animated--and frustrated-
-generations of statesmen, historians, writers, artists, philosophers, and the National Film Board...Canada resists easy
definition.

—Andrew Cohen, The Unfinished Canadian: The People We Are[19]

In true Canadian fashion, however, even the search for an identity has become itself an object for self-criticism.[20]
[edit] Canadian nationalism
Main article: Canadian nationalism

In general, Canadian nationalists are highly concerned about the protection of Canadian sovereignty and loyalty to the Canadian
State, placing them in the civic nationalist category. It has likewise often been suggested that anti-Americanism, or at least
hostility towards the United States, often plays a prominent role in Canadian nationalist ideologies. When nationalists speak of
"independence", it is widely understood that the actual meaning is "independence from the United States". Canadian nationalists
may in fact promote stronger ties to other nations, and encourage closer integration with the European Union or the United
Nations as a way of offsetting US influences.

[edit] Cultural protectionism in Canada

Cultural protectionism in Canada has, since the mid-20th century, taken the form of conscious, interventionist attempts on the
part of various Canadian governments to promote Canadian cultural production and limit the effect of foreign, largely American,
culture on the domestic audience. Sharing a large border and (for the majority) a common language with the United States,
Canada faces a difficult position in regard to American culture, be it direct attempts at the Canadian market or the general
diffusion of American culture in the globalized media arena. While Canada tries to maintain its cultural differences, it also must
balance this with responsibility in trade arrangements such as the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and the North
American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Regionalism

• Most Canadians have a strong allegiance to their province or region, sometimes more so than to the country. There are
some broad differences between regions, which can generally be summed up as follows:

• Atlantic Provinces (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland): The people are somewhat
reserved and provincial, to the point that they are seen as old-fashioned.

• Ontario: This is the business hub and the people tend to be business-like and conservative.

• Western Canada (Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan): The people are open, friendly and relaxed.

• British Colombia: The people are less conventional. This province is often viewed as the Canada of the future.

• Quebec: The French region, has a distinct cultural identity. The people are extremely regionalistic/independent.

• North: The people have a strong pioneer spirit.