Facts For Kids- Canada
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Welcome to Canada, the second largest country in the world.   Canada's flag has a maple leaf because there are many maple trees in this country.

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Canada's People
Most Canadians are originally from Europe but many are native Indian and Eskimo.    Eskimo people are called "Inuits".  Many still live in remote, arctic areas of Canada.  Canada has two official languages, French and English.   

Canada's Homes

Canada's Culture
Native people called "Inuits" follow more traditional ways of living.


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Canada's Foods
Canadians eat many of the same foods that you do.   Fish and seafood are plentiful because of the fishing industry.  Canada also produces many fruits such as apples, cranberries, pears, plums, and peaches.  About 75% of the world's maple syrup comes from Canada.
Canada's Activities
Ice and cold weather sports such as hockey and ice skating are popular activities.    However, lacrosse is the national sport of Canada.

Calgary is famous for being a site of the winter Olympics.

Canada is home to moose, bears, deer, and many arctic animals such as seal, polar bears, and narwhals in its arctic regions.

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Canada's Holidays and Celebrations 
Boxing Day, also known as St. Stephen's Day, is celebrated in Canada on December 26th (or the following Monday if the 26th is a Saturday or Sunday).  On Boxing Day, Canadians give gifts to people in need and charities.  It is believed that this tradition was started long ago when priests would open the church's charity box the day after Christmas and distribute money to the needy.
Canada's Land
About 1/3 of Canada's land lies within the Arctic Circle.  This land in the north can stay frozen for up to nine months out of the year.  Few people live in the northern areas of Canada.  About 75% of Canada's people live near the United States border where the temperatures are milder.   The western province of British Columbia is a large producer of timber. 

Canada has almost a million lakes.  There is a lake in Manitoba called Lake Pekwachnamaykoskwaskwaypinwanik.   Try to say that one!

Northern Canada has times in the summer when the sun rarely sets.  This is known as the "midnight sun".   In the winter, it is dark most of the time.

Canada's Cities
Canada is made up of ten provinces: Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Ontario, and British Columbia and there are also two territories.  Canada is an independent nation, but still recognizes the Queen of Great Britain as its head of state.  Great Britain ruled Canada until 1867. 

Edmonton boasts a gigantic shopping mall that contains a hockey rink, swimming pool, roller coaster, and a hotel in addition to shopping.

A famous tourist attraction, Niagra Falls, is shared by both Canada and the United States.

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Canada's Facts:
Area: 3,851,788 square miles
Capital City: Ottawa 
Population: 27,400,000 (approx.)
Main Language: English and French
Currency: Canadian dollar
Agriculture: wheat, cattle, fishing, fruits and vegetables.


Map images from Lonely Planet, http://www.lonelyplanet.com


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