Description
Canada is a country in the northern part of North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic to the Pacific and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering 9.98 million square kilometres (3.85 million square miles), making it the world’s second-largest country by total area. Its southern border with the United States, stretching some 8,891 kilometres (5,525 mi), is the world’s longest bi-national land border. Canada’s capital is Ottawa, and its three largest metropolitan areas are Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. As a whole, Canada is sparsely populated, with the majority of its land area being dominated by forest and tundra. Its population is highly urbanised, with over 80 per cent of its inhabitants concentrated in large and medium-sized cities, and 70 per cent residing within 100 kilometres (62 mi) of the southern border. Canada’s climate varies widely across its vast area, ranging from arctic weather in the north to hot summers in the southern regions, with four distinct seasons.
The flag of Canada, often referred to as the Canadian flag, or unofficially as the Maple Leaf and l’Unifolié (“the one-leafed”), is the national flag of Canada which consists of a red field with a white square at its centre, in the middle of which is featured a stylised, red, 11-pointed maple leaf. It is the first flag approved by Parliament for use as the country’s national flag. There is symbolism in both the design and the colours of the national flag of Canada. The colours are meant to symbolise hope and prosperity, as well as peace, tranquillity and neutrality. The maple leaf design represents the cultural heritage of the nation and the natural resources of Canada.