Canada is the second-largest country
in the world after Russia. Covering most of northern North America
and spanning 9,984,670 square kilometers, the nation is composed
of 10 provinces, each with its own administrative system, and three
territories. Each is discussed below.
Probably
the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Alberta is the raw, rugged beauty of the Canadian Rockies. But
there’s also the prehistoric desert of the Alberta Badlands, where you
can unravel the mysteries of the dinosaurs. You can retrace the paths
of the Plains Indians on their hunt for buffalo, stopping along the
routes of the fur traders, whiskey smugglers and explorers who formed
the Canadian version of the Wild West. Cultural life flourishes in
resource-rich Alberta. Its contemporary cities are Edmonton (the
capital) and sophisticated Calgary. The West Edmonton Mall is the
largest of its kind in the world. Calgary is home to the Calgary
Stampede, a Wild West festival in July of rodeos, live music,
turn-of-the-century exhibitions and an old-fashioned downtown parade.
The Banff, Jasper and Lake Louise areas offer champagne-powder slopes
for what may just be the world’s best skiing and most breathtaking scenery.
More info:
www.albertatourism.com
Ski
in the morning and golf that same afternoon. This is a province so
spectacular and diverse that you really can do it all. BC is a land of
clean air, tall trees, craggy mountains, raging whitewater rivers and
long, languid beaches. Here you’ll find some of Canada’s freshest and
finest coastal seafood. Charter a fishing boat, take a guided
whale-watching tour or go zip-trekking in an old-growth tree canopy
near Whistler. Aprés outdoor time? Go antique shopping or relax at
luxurious spas and natural hot springs. British Columbia’s acclaimed
Okanagan Valley is one of Canada’s premium wine-growing regions. Visit
a winery, go wine tasting, or make the rounds at a wine festival. The
Okanagan also produces rare ice wines. Looking for cosmopolitan flair? Try
Vancouver, sexy, glitzy and exotic, and
Victoria, charming, gracious
and old-world elegant. You’ll find top-rated ethnic cuisines, vibrant
arts communities, designer retail boutiques and festive nightlife—adding to the natural beauty surrounding these thriving coastal cities.
More info:
www.hellobc.com
Manitoba
skies are bright and sunny year-round. The air is crisp and clear. No
wonder this province is home to some of the world’s most wonderful
wildlife. Nature enthusiasts flock to the province each year to take
in its flora and fauna, most hoping to snap a pic of a polar bear.
During the fall in the northern town of Churchill—considered the "Polar Bear
Capital of the World"—hundreds of migrating bears congregate while
waiting for sea-ice to form. Birders flock year-round to the Oak
Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre, just 15 minutes from Winnipeg,
situated in the midst of one of the best bird-viewing areas on the
continent. The
Aurora Borealis is pure magic,
as you'll see when you experience colorful night
skies lit up by this luminous phenomenon. In the warmer months you
can swim with the “smiling” beluga whales in Hudson Bay. Winnipeg, the
capital city, offers history, arts, culture, family fun and fine
dining.
More info:
www.travelmanitoba.com
The
tides at the Bay of Fundy are the highest on the planet. Hundreds of
millions of tons of seawater slosh in and out of the bay twice a day,
reportedly equivalent to the flow of all freshwater rivers on earth.
Migratory birds by the thousands congregate on Fundy mudflats to
feed on mud shrimp, and there are more species of whales in the bay
than anywhere else. New Brunswick is home to the Acadian culture,
Canada’s first French settlement with a rich history and culture all
its own. Skate on frozen ponds and rinks in winter; visit in spring
for maple syrup season and fiddleheads (tender fern tendrils sautéed
into a yummy dish). Summer means warm, oceanside walks and sailing
with whales alongside. Fall in New Brunswick is brilliant with color
as leaves change in the harvest season.
More info:
www.tourismnewbrunswick.ca
This
extreme landscape of ferocious beauty is made up of glacially carved
inland fjords, wild jagged coastlines, and towering mountains of
ice. Huge 36-ton humpback whales are a common sight.
Newfoundland and Labrador are home to an excavated 1,000-year-old
Viking settlement, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In this rugged
land, where numerous generations of people have forged their living
from the sea alone, visitors will find some of the most interesting,
fun-loving folk in Canada. Newfoundlanders celebrate their heritage
with festivals, music and events throughout the summer. Some
200 salmon rivers and thousands of trout streams make Newfoundland the
perfect destination for enthusiastic anglers.
More info:
www.newfoundlandandlabrador.com
Nova
Scotia is about sandy ocean shorelines, historic fortresses, and the
rugged Highlands of Cape Breton. This sprawling province covers 4,600
miles of diverse coastline dotted with lighthouses. Nova Scotia’s
bustling urban centre is Halifax; then there’s the rural, in places
remote, island-community of Cape Breton Island. Historic Halifax
boasts 18th and 19th century architecture alongside a modern downtown
business district. Many a famous Canadian fiddler hails from Cape
Breton Island, known for its lively music influenced by Scottish jigs
and reels. The highway running through the coastal landscape of Cape
Breton Highlands National Park is one of North America’s most
spectacular scenic drives. Nova Scotia’s been nicknamed “Canada's
Festival Province” for good reason: its cities and towns host 600
festivals and events throughout the year.
More info:
www.novascotia.com
The
Native people called Ontario “the land of shining waters,” perhaps
inspired by the half-million lakes scattered throughout the land or by
breathtaking Niagara Falls, known throughout the world as the “it”
spot for honeymooners. Either way, Ontario’s waterways have
embellished its image as “cottage country,” where scenic summer
getaways are an inherent part of life. People from 70 international
cultures make up the province’s population. Their diversity adds
culture, arts, cuisine and spark to Ontario’s major cities. The
capital city of Toronto—Canada’s largest city—has all the
metropolitan perks: symphony, ballet, opera, shopping, nightlife and
exceptional restaurants. Ottawa is Canada’s political capital and seat
of power. Here you can explore the federal Parliament buildings,
museums, and the superb (oft controversial) art at the National Gallery
of Canada. The Niagara region has a thriving theatre community and is one of
Canada’s foremost wine regions, which is focused mainly on ice-wine.
More info:
www.ontariotravel.net
Canada’s
island jewel, with its red soil and green rolling hills, is renowned for
sweet lobster, stunning beaches, top-rated golf, and Lucy Maud
Montgomery’s world-famous novel, Anne of Green Gables. Life here is
leisurely, walkable and quaint. Folks are friendly and unassuming. PEI
boasts more lighthouses than anywhere else (there are 76), and many
visitors like to tour from one to the next by bicycle. An engineering
marvel connects Canada’s smallest province to the mainland with the
eight-mile Confederation Bridge. So now you can drive to this island
retreat, also the birthplace of the Canadian Confederation.
More info:
www.gov.pe.ca/visitorsguide
Fashion?
Romance? French? Party all night? Uh...did someone just say, “Québec?” The province
is an intriguing mix of wilderness and modern urban life that exudes
old world history and European charm. French-flavor city centers
Montréal and Québec City are chic and distinct, places where history
and architecture mingle with the modern urban world. Both cities
bustle with restaurants and bars, nightclubs and theatres, exclusive
shopping centers, museums and galleries. The Laurentians, an
enchanting mountain and farmland region north of Montréal, is an
escape to yesteryear. Think apple orchards, stone farmhouses, artisan
cheesemakers and centuries-old timbered homes—although top-rated
modern resorts and spas, golf, skiing, and other modern amenities
abound. The Eastern Townships south of Montréal stretch along the
borders of Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, sharing the quaint aura
of New England. Québec also entertains with festivals throughout the
year, including the renowned
Festival International de Jazz de
Montréal and the Just for Laughs Festival, when 2,000 comedians take
to the streets. More info:
www.bonjourquebec.com
Wide
open spaces. Views that go on forever. Golden wheatfields waving in
the breeze. The prairie province
Saskatchewan stirs the soul with its
vast open spaces—and has played muse to many musicians. Saskatchewan’s
cosmopolitan capital, Regina—named after Queen Victoria—boasts one of North America's largest urban parks
at its core. More than an enchanting green space, Wascana Centre also
holds the city’s Royal Saskatchewan Museum, the University of Regina
campus, provincial legislative buildings and the finest in regional,
national and international art at the MacKenzie Art Gallery. Wascena
Center's grounds attract visitors who can happily wile away the day
(year-round) picnicking, boating, bird watching, cycling and taking
nature walks.
Saskatoon, the province’s largest city, is considered
Canada’s most beautiful mid-sized city thanks to a progressive
campaign protecting its riverbanks. The city is also deservedly proud
of it vibrant arts theatre and cultural communities.
More info:
www.sasktourism.com
They
call it the “land of the midnight sun,” where the
Aurora Borealis
(Northern Lights) illuminates the sky in eerie, other-worldly dancing
lights. An incredibly vast region of wild landscapes, the NWT split
into two separate territories in 1999. The eastern lands are now known
as Nunavut (see below). The western region, home to Dene, Inuvialuit, and other
northerners from around the world, is still called the Northwest
Territories. During the warm months of summer, visitors can watch the
sunset melt into a golden sunrise. The long winter brings with it not
only the
Northern Lights, but a galaxy of stars. Such beauty is a good reason
to stay up all
night. More info:
www.explorenwt.com
Yukon:
Pure wilderness adventure above the 60th parallel
Wild.
The Yukon is untamed, and that’s its rugged charm. The Yukon Territory
is one of the best places in the world for wilderness adventures.
Fishing, hiking, biking, canoeing, rafting, wildlife viewing and
enjoying pure nature are a way of life here. The Yukon’s Kluane
National Park boasts spectacular scenery and many opportunities to try
your hand at heli-hiking or glacier trekking. Whithe orse and Dawson
City are the two main city centers and bases for wilderness
exploration trips. June through August is prime trip time, but the
spring and fall shoulder seasons offer excellent conditions for snow
sports and autumn foliage. As chilly as the winter months can be, they
offer the best opportunity for catching the brilliant
Northern Lights.
More info:
www.travelyukon.com
As
of April 1, 1999, the giant area previously known as the Northwest
Territories became two separate territories. The eastern portion is
now Nunavut. Nunavut is an Inuktitu word for “our land.” The original
people of this land call themselves Inuit, which simply means “the
people.” Viewing the stunning
Northern Lights, dog sledding, and
cross-country skiing are ideal winter activities. Community events and
gatherings with homespun food, storytelling, dancing and good times
with the locals are all part of the warm experience you can expect in
Nunavut.
More info:
www.nunavuttourism.com
Probably
the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Alberta is the raw, rugged beauty of the Canadian Rockies. But
there’s also the prehistoric desert of the Alberta Badlands, where you
can unravel the mysteries of the dinosaurs. You can retrace the paths
of the Plains Indians on their hunt for buffalo, stopping along the
routes of the fur traders, whiskey smugglers and explorers who formed
the Canadian version of the Wild West. Cultural life flourishes in
resource-rich Alberta. Its contemporary cities are Edmonton (the
capital) and sophisticated Calgary. The West Edmonton Mall is the
largest of its kind in the world. Calgary is home to the Calgary
Stampede, a Wild West festival in July of rodeos, live music,
turn-of-the-century exhibitions and an old-fashioned downtown parade.
The Banff, Jasper and Lake Louise areas offer champagne-powder slopes
for what may just be the world’s best skiing and most breathtaking scenery.
More info:
Ski
in the morning and golf that same afternoon. This is a province so
spectacular and diverse that you really can do it all. BC is a land of
clean air, tall trees, craggy mountains, raging whitewater rivers and
long, languid beaches. Here you’ll find some of Canada’s freshest and
finest coastal seafood. Charter a fishing boat, take a guided
whale-watching tour or go zip-trekking in an old-growth tree canopy
near Whistler. Aprés outdoor time? Go antique shopping or relax at
luxurious spas and natural hot springs. British Columbia’s acclaimed
Okanagan Valley is one of Canada’s premium wine-growing regions. Visit
a winery, go wine tasting, or make the rounds at a wine festival. The
Okanagan also produces rare ice wines. Looking for cosmopolitan flair? Try
Manitoba
skies are bright and sunny year-round. The air is crisp and clear. No
wonder this province is home to some of the world’s most wonderful
wildlife. Nature enthusiasts flock to the province each year to take
in its flora and fauna, most hoping to snap a pic of a polar bear.
During the fall in the northern town of Churchill—considered the "Polar Bear
Capital of the World"—hundreds of migrating bears congregate while
waiting for sea-ice to form. Birders flock year-round to the Oak
Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre, just 15 minutes from Winnipeg,
situated in the midst of one of the best bird-viewing areas on the
continent. The
The
tides at the Bay of Fundy are the highest on the planet. Hundreds of
millions of tons of seawater slosh in and out of the bay twice a day,
reportedly equivalent to the flow of all freshwater rivers on earth.
Migratory birds by the thousands congregate on Fundy mudflats to
feed on mud shrimp, and there are more species of whales in the bay
than anywhere else. New Brunswick is home to the Acadian culture,
Canada’s first French settlement with a rich history and culture all
its own. Skate on frozen ponds and rinks in winter; visit in spring
for maple syrup season and fiddleheads (tender fern tendrils sautéed
into a yummy dish). Summer means warm, oceanside walks and sailing
with whales alongside. Fall in New Brunswick is brilliant with color
as leaves change in the harvest season.
More info:
This
extreme landscape of ferocious beauty is made up of glacially carved
inland fjords, wild jagged coastlines, and towering mountains of
ice. Huge 36-ton humpback whales are a common sight.
Newfoundland and Labrador are home to an excavated 1,000-year-old
Viking settlement, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In this rugged
land, where numerous generations of people have forged their living
from the sea alone, visitors will find some of the most interesting,
fun-loving folk in Canada. Newfoundlanders celebrate their heritage
with festivals, music and events throughout the summer. Some
200 salmon rivers and thousands of trout streams make Newfoundland the
perfect destination for enthusiastic anglers.
More info:
Nova
Scotia is about sandy ocean shorelines, historic fortresses, and the
rugged Highlands of Cape Breton. This sprawling province covers 4,600
miles of diverse coastline dotted with lighthouses. Nova Scotia’s
bustling urban centre is Halifax; then there’s the rural, in places
remote, island-community of Cape Breton Island. Historic Halifax
boasts 18th and 19th century architecture alongside a modern downtown
business district. Many a famous Canadian fiddler hails from Cape
Breton Island, known for its lively music influenced by Scottish jigs
and reels. The highway running through the coastal landscape of Cape
Breton Highlands National Park is one of North America’s most
spectacular scenic drives. Nova Scotia’s been nicknamed “Canada's
Festival Province” for good reason: its cities and towns host 600
festivals and events throughout the year.
More info:
The
Native people called Ontario “the land of shining waters,” perhaps
inspired by the half-million lakes scattered throughout the land or by
breathtaking Niagara Falls, known throughout the world as the “it”
spot for honeymooners. Either way, Ontario’s waterways have
embellished its image as “cottage country,” where scenic summer
getaways are an inherent part of life. People from 70 international
cultures make up the province’s population. Their diversity adds
culture, arts, cuisine and spark to Ontario’s major cities. The
capital city of Toronto—Canada’s largest city—has all the
metropolitan perks: symphony, ballet, opera, shopping, nightlife and
exceptional restaurants. Ottawa is Canada’s political capital and seat
of power. Here you can explore the federal Parliament buildings,
museums, and the superb (oft controversial) art at the National Gallery
of Canada. The Niagara region has a thriving theatre community and is one of
Canada’s foremost wine regions, which is focused mainly on ice-wine.
More info:
Canada’s
island jewel, with its red soil and green rolling hills, is renowned for
sweet lobster, stunning beaches, top-rated golf, and Lucy Maud
Montgomery’s world-famous novel, Anne of Green Gables. Life here is
leisurely, walkable and quaint. Folks are friendly and unassuming. PEI
boasts more lighthouses than anywhere else (there are 76), and many
visitors like to tour from one to the next by bicycle. An engineering
marvel connects Canada’s smallest province to the mainland with the
eight-mile Confederation Bridge. So now you can drive to this island
retreat, also the birthplace of the Canadian Confederation.
More info:
Fashion?
Romance? French? Party all night? Uh...did someone just say, “Québec?” The province
is an intriguing mix of wilderness and modern urban life that exudes
old world history and European charm. French-flavor city centers
Wide
open spaces. Views that go on forever. Golden wheatfields waving in
the breeze. The prairie province
They
call it the “land of the midnight sun,” where the
Wild.
The Yukon is untamed, and that’s its rugged charm. The Yukon Territory
is one of the best places in the world for wilderness adventures.
Fishing, hiking, biking, canoeing, rafting, wildlife viewing and
enjoying pure nature are a way of life here. The Yukon’s Kluane
National Park boasts spectacular scenery and many opportunities to try
your hand at heli-hiking or glacier trekking. Whithe orse and Dawson
City are the two main city centers and bases for wilderness
exploration trips. June through August is prime trip time, but the
spring and fall shoulder seasons offer excellent conditions for snow
sports and autumn foliage. As chilly as the winter months can be, they
offer the best opportunity for catching the brilliant
As
of April 1, 1999, the giant area previously known as the Northwest
Territories became two separate territories. The eastern portion is
now Nunavut. Nunavut is an Inuktitu word for “our land.” The original
people of this land call themselves Inuit, which simply means “the
people.” Viewing the stunning
