Located in the northern part of the North American continent, Canada covers an area of 9.9 million square kilometers and is the second largest country in the world after Russia. It has a population of more than 30 million people, 70% of whom live in the southern region near the United States, with the highest concentration in the east and west. Canada is a multi-ethnic country that encourages multiculturalism*** with the development of the ethnic composition of the Anglo-French dominated, the British accounted for 40%, French residents accounted for 27%. In 1931, Canada became a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. Canada is a bilingual country, with English and French as its official languages. Canada's capital city, Ottawa, is the political and cultural center of the country and is located on the border between Ontario and Quebec. Canada's three largest cities are Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. Canada has been repeatedly recognized by the United Nations as the world's best country for human habitation.
Natural Environment and Climate
Canada is located in the North Temperate Zone, with four distinct seasons and a wide range of climates across the country. If you are in the daytime in July-August, summer clothes are enough, but Canada has a big temperature difference between day and night, and the morning and evening are cool, so you should prepare a coat. Sunsets are very late in Canada in the summer. Most of Canada observes Daylight Saving Time (DST) from 2 a.m. on the first Sunday in April until 2 a.m. on the last Sunday in October. By about 9 p.m., the sun has not yet set. There is also a polar day in the northern part of Canada within the Arctic Circle. Travelers to Canada in the spring and fall should prepare woolen sweaters for spring and fall wear. In winter, you should have a full set of cold-weather clothing, and you must wear non-slip shoes in winter.
Canada is a vast country, so the climate varies from region to region, and clothing should be prepared to match the destination. In the Pacific Coast region, such as Vancouver and Victoria, the climate is mild due to the influence of the oceanic climate. However, there is a big difference in temperature between day and night, and the temperature starts to drop in the evening, so it is necessary to prepare outerwear even in summer. Autumn comes faster in this region. Winter is not too cold, but you should prepare rain gear because it rains a lot in winter. The climate in the Canadian Rockies, such as in Banff National Park, is mountainous. Winters are cold, summers are cool, and UV rays are strong. Therefore, don't forget to wear sunglasses with UV protection. In the winter, you should prepare heavy and solid cold-proof clothing. The Central Plains and Great Lakes region, such as Calgary, Toronto, Niagara Falls, etc., have a continental climate with hot and humid summers, but in hazy weather, you will feel the chill, so prepare long-sleeved tops. In winter, you should prepare heavy coat, hat, gloves, long boots, etc., in order to take precautions against the cold; the east, the Atlantic coast region such as Montreal, Quebec City and other regions, cool in summer and cold in winter. Therefore, you should be prepared for the cold when you go to these places.
The Canadian state and all levels of government
Canada has a three-tier system of government, with a federal government, provincial or territorial governments, and municipal governments. The federal government's responsibilities include national defense, interprovincial and international commerce and trade, immigration matters, the financial and monetary system, criminal law, and fisheries.
Canada has a parliamentary system of executive responsibility. The federal government includes the Governor General, the Privy Council, the Prime Minister, and the Cabinet. Canada is one of the Commonwealth countries and the Queen of England is the nominal leader of the country. The nominal leader is represented by the Governor General of Canada, who is appointed by the Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister. The duties of the Governor General of Canada include summoning or dissolving Parliament, inaugurating the Prime Minister, the Supreme Chancellor, the Cabinet and the Privy Council, and commanding the armed forces. Within the federal government structure, elected officials form the main decision-making body, the Cabinet of Ministers under the Prime Minister. The federal government leads the country's democratic system of government through consultation with other elected officials, provincial and municipal representatives, and the people of Canada***. The primary responsibility of the federal government is to ensure and support the operation of the country's economy. It is also responsible for: national defense, commercial trade between provinces and countries, immigration, the banking and monetary system, criminal law and fisheries. The federal government also oversees industries such as aviation, shipping, railroads, telecommunications, and atomic energy.
Provincial and territorial governments, which are organized similarly to the federal government, are elected by voters and are responsible for the affairs of their respective territories in the areas of education, property and civil rights, the administration of justice, the hospital system, natural resources, social security, health care, and municipal institutions.
Municipal governments are elected by voters and are responsible for municipal construction, business licenses, waste disposal, and other public **** businesses.
Canada's Economy
With a population of 30 million and a GDP of 957.9 billion Canadian dollars in 1999, Canada is one of the world's economic powers. As one of the eight industrial power member countries, Canada has an enviable quality of life and perfect infrastructure, and a highly qualified and skilled labor force, which can be called the world's successful trading nation. Canada is one of the eight western countries that lead the world in automation, electrification and modernization of industrial production. The degree of specialization, commercialization and modernization of agricultural production is also very high, Canada has the world's advanced level in telecommunications, microwave, satellite, fiber optic communications, etc., and has a world-leading position in aerospace, microelectronics industry, medicine and biotechnology. Canada's transportation is very convenient, with 100,000 kilometers of railroads, 730,000 kilometers of highways, 600 large airports, and 900 airlines flying to and from all parts of Canada.
Trade between Canada and China
Canada is a longstanding friend and trading partner of China. The famous international friend Dr. Bai Qiu'en came from Ontario, Canada. Canadian companies offer significant market opportunities in the Chinese market, and there are ten key sectors where business opportunities are most effective for Chinese investors or business people: agriculture, food, fisheries and related industries; construction products and services; education and training services; power; environmental protection; forestry, pulp and paper; information technology and communications; natural resources; transportation; and pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.
Social Welfare
Canada is recognized for its generous social welfare. Twelve years of free education is compulsory for all children, and children from birth to sixteen years of age are entitled to a milk grant. Low-income earners, the unemployed, the disabled and the elderly are all eligible for different kinds of welfare programs. In addition, all Canadian residents have access to a publicly funded health care benefit program.
Free education for children
All children between the ages of 5 and 19 receive a free education from elementary school to high school graduation*** Grade 12.
Child Benefit
The federal government of Canada provides a Child Benefit (commonly known as the Milk Benefit) to all children under the age of 18. The amount depends on the income of each family.
Old Age Basic Benefit (OAB)
All seniors over the age of 65 with low or no income can apply for this basic income benefit.
Pension plan
A pension plan is a type of insurance in which the beneficiary pays a certain amount of money into the plan during his or her working life, and then receives a monthly benefit when he or she retires. The amount of benefit depends on the amount of money the beneficiary has contributed.
Unemployment Benefits Insurance
If you have worked for a certain amount of time and paid unemployment benefits insurance premiums, you can apply for unemployment benefits insurance when you lose your job, and you can participate in some job retraining programs for free.
Long Term Unemployment Benefit
Gives people who are unemployed for a long period of time money to pay for basic living expenses such as food, shelter, fuel (gas and oil) clothing and medicines.
Work Injury Benefits
Canada provides financial, medical, and rehabilitation benefits to people who are injured on the job. Applicants can apply to the government with a medical report and proof of work-related injury.
Publicly funded health care programs
Canada has one of the best health care systems in the world. Basically every community has a good hospital or clinic. After joining this insurance plan, you can get free medical services, including consultation fees, various tests, inspections, surgical fees (hospitalization fees, meals and nursing fees), etc., all borne by the government, you only have to bear the cost of medication, and low-income earners can apply for a subsidy or full exemption from the cost of medication.
Canada's education system
Canada*** has ten provinces and three territories. Primary and secondary education is free in all regions of Canada. Elementary education focuses on educating students to take an active role in their learning. The enrollment requirements are simple, and students are assigned to schools based on their place of residence and age. English as a Second Language (ESL) programs are also offered to children of new immigrants. The elementary school curriculum is organized according to the directives of the provincial departments of education, and the school places as much emphasis on academic achievement as it does on the life skills of the students. Students are expected to be well-balanced; secondary education in Canada generally lasts six years, and only 30 credits of 110 hours of class time are required to earn a secondary school diploma. Subjects are the same in the lower grades, and there is more flexibility in the upper grades, where subjects vary. A student counselor is available to assist students in planning for their future. The school also organizes a variety of clubs and activities to help students develop in a holistic manner. Generally speaking, when a student has completed 12 years of primary and secondary education and passed the provincial exams, he or she is eligible for university admission.
In Canada, post-secondary education is made up of universities and colleges. University graduates receive a Degree, while college or university graduates receive a Diploma. Universities usually take three to five years to complete, while colleges or universities only take two to three years. In addition, many programs such as medicine, law, and dentistry require a bachelor's degree for admission. Many universities and colleges in Canada have agreements that allow their students to transfer their grades to their counterpart universities to study for a bachelor's degree, so that they can obtain both a degree and a diploma when they graduate.
Canadian universities are world-renowned for the quality of their teaching and research. Most universities rely heavily on public funding, but all universities, wherever they are located, maintain high quality in all disciplines. There are about one hundred universities in Canada.
There are hundreds of community colleges in Canada, which are members of the Canadian Association of Community Colleges and use a variety of official names, including "colleges of technology," "university colleges," and "colleges of general and vocational education. These colleges are members of the Canadian Association of Community Colleges and use a variety of official names, including "colleges of technology", "university colleges" and "colleges of general and vocational education. Canadian colleges are organized into 13 education management systems (including 10 provinces and 3 territories), but all of them have a primary responsibility to meet the training needs of business, industry and the public *** service, as well as the educational needs of vocational secondary school graduates and adults. Some of the specialized technical and vocational colleges are privately owned and privately run, and their main purpose is to put students on the job market through a period of intensive study.
Major Cities
The City of Toronto
Canada's largest city, and the capital of Ontario, has a population of about 4 million people and a large urban area. Toronto is Canada's economic, cultural and financial center, and its industrial, commercial and banking sectors are so developed that it can be called the capital of Canada's banking headquarters. Stock trading is also thriving, with the largest stock exchange in the country. One of Toronto's landmarks is City Hall, also known as Toronto City Hall, with its distinctive semi-circular vertical structure. The second landmark is Toronto's CN Tower, which offers a breathtaking view of Lake Ontario and the city.
Montreal
Located at the confluence of the Ottawa and St. Lawrence Rivers, Montreal is Canada's second-largest city, with a population of about 3 million. As the largest city in the province of Quebec, Montreal is home to a majority of French-speaking residents, reflecting a uniquely French cultural heritage, and is considered the romantic capital of North America. She is also one of the oldest cities in Canada. The panoramic view of Montreal, large and small, different styles of churches constitute a striking cultural wonders, and St. Joseph's Cathedral, located in the hillside, and Notre Dame Cathedral in the old town of Montreal are the must-see attractions for tourists.
Vancouver
Located in southwestern British Columbia, Vancouver is the largest city in the province and the third largest in Canada, with a population of about 2 million. Due to the special geographic environment around the city, the city has formed a warm winter and cool summer, four seasons of pleasant and comfortable climate conditions, can be called the best climate of the whole of Canada's cities. Vancouver's superior geographic location and natural conditions also make her the largest port and international trade center on the west coast of Canada. Vancouver is also the cultural center of Canada's west coast. The University of British Columbia (UBC) and Simon Fraser University (SFU) are the most prestigious universities in Canada. Simon Fraser University are two of the city's leading institutions of higher learning. In addition, the Queen Elizabeth Theatre and the University of British Columbia Museum of Anthropology are well-known cultural venues. The city of Vancouver is dotted with parks. There are more than 100 parks in the city***, and one of the most prestigious natural parks is Stanley Park. Its Totem Poles, symbolizing North American Indian culture, are an important sight in Stanley Park.
Victoria
Victoria is the capital of British Columbia, located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island. Victoria has an elegant British feel throughout the city, with 19th-century architecture reflecting the influence of British culture. The world-famous Butchard Gardens are located in the city.
Ottawa
Canada's capital city and political and cultural center. Ottawa is not as large as Toronto, Vancouver or Montreal in terms of city size or international popularity. But the unique cultural personality, beautiful cityscape, leisure life, so that Ottawa not only by the Canadian people's love, but also become the world's people travel and tourism one of the cities to aspire to.
Calgary
Located in the southern part of Alberta, at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, Calgary is an emerging oil industry city.