Land & people
Area: 9,984,670 sq km
Population (July 2007 est.): 33.39 million
Capital: Ottawa, in Ontario
Official languages: English and French
Per capita GDP (2006 est.): $35,200
Occupying most of the northern portion of the continent of North America, Canada is the world's second largest country in total area after Russia. Canada stretches from the Pacific Ocean on the west, to the Atlantic Ocean on the east. Northern Canada reaches into the Arctic Circle, while southern Canada stretches below the northern points of the US.
Canada has a large and diverse range of geographic features, and is administratively divided into 10 provinces — Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and Saskatchewan — and three territories — Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Yukon Territory.
The Rocky Mountains are part of the North American continental divide reaching from the Arctic Circle to the US. The Pacific Coast is home to thousands of islands. East of the Rockies are the interior plains. The Cypress Hills and Alberta Badlands are the exception to the stereotypical Prairie province look and these areas are hilly and rugged.
Useful addresses
Embassy of Canada
P.O. Box 6970, Abu Dhabi.
Tel: +971 2 6940300
Fax: +971 2 6940399
Consulate of Canada
P.O. Box 52472, Dubai.
Tel: +971 4 3145555
Fax: +971 4 3145557
Canadian Business Council
P.O. Box 52472, Dubai.
Tel: +971 4 3592625
Fax: +971 4 3591026
Passport/visa
A valid passport and visa are needed to enter the country. Citizens of some countries do not require a visa. For more information on entry requirements, contact the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate.
Credit cards/cash
Major credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard and American Express are accepted extensively. It's advisable to carry traveller's cheques in US or Canadian dollar denominations.
Getting there
Many airlines offer direct flights, which connect major cities of the world with the larger Canadian airports. Overseas visitors flying into Canada usually head for Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal or Halifax, which are the major international airports in the country.
Visitors entering the country from major continental US cities can choose to arrive by plane, train, bus or car. The Greyhound rail network of the US connects with most major destinations in Canada. There are numerous road border crossings. Also, several ferries run from the US to Canada on the east coast.
Accommodation
Canada offers a full range of accommodation choices —from first-class luxury hotels to rustic family camping, exclusive golf resort vacation packages to bed-and-breakfast with a family home atmosphere. Whenever you travel, it's best to book in advance.
Budget-minded travellers should check with the system of hostel across the country; contact Hostelling International — Canada in Ottawa. Most universities also offer budget-price accommodations during the summer months. Contact the various provincial tourism offices for more information.
WHEN TO GO
Visit during fall or summer
As a general rule, spring runs mid-March to mid-May, summer mid-May to mid-September, fall mid-September to mid-November, and winter mid-November to mid-March. Summer brings the finest weather and the largest influx of travellers. The fall months, particularly September and October, are the most pleasant time to travel, as the weather is frequently pleasant and the crowds are less.
