Quebec is French America or French Canada, a region, city and port at the mouth of the St. Lawrence River, a Francophonie island on the English- and Spanish-speaking continent.
The first European voyage to Quebec was made in 1534 by Jacques Carte, who, on behalf of King Francis I of France, declared Canada to belong to the French monarch. In 1535-1536 Jacques Cartier was engaged in the construction of the future of Montreal. A century later, Samuel de Champlain founded the city of Quebec. In 1609, the territory received the name New France. A little later, Richelieu founded a company to which he entrusted the development of New France.
New France in the 17th century was not a paradise at all. Two months of sailing across the ocean - and immigrants from the Old World found themselves in a cruel climate, on a land whose only means of communication were rivers, and the local population received the settlers with extreme hostility. Those who came here, of course, did not come for this, but for the fortune. By 1700, only 15 thousand people settled in New France, a hundred years later - 70 thousand, while by that time two and a half million lived in the English colonies. Europeans came for natural resources, for new lands, and in return they brought alcohol and epidemics to the Indians, which killed half the population.
The tribes that inhabited Canada were the Inuit, Iroquois and Algonquins, all of them did not accept the new masters of Canada, who took advantage of the enmity between the tribes. In clashes, the Indians were often supported by the British, who saw the French as rivals on the new continent. Only in 1701 was the Great Peace signed between the French and the Indian tribes, which put an end to the war between them, as well as inter-tribal hostilities. The War of the Spanish Succession pitted the British and French on a new land; in 1713, the Treaty of Utrecht was signed, according to which France retained lands along the banks of the St. Lawrence River, and already in 1763, Quebec became the fifteenth English colony in North America. In 1791, the two provinces of Upper Canada (Ontario) and Lower Canada (Quebec) were created, most of which remained French-speaking. In 1867, the Canadian Confederation was created with four provinces - Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia. Until the beginning of the twentieth century, Quebec's economic life was closely linked to agriculture and forests. Then active urbanization began, attracting new settlers.
Main administrative center Quebec is a city of the same name, whose population is 7 million 250 thousand people, which is a quarter of the total Canadian population. They speak French and English here, and the coin is the Canadian dollar. Quebec is located in the northeast of the continent, from the United States to the northern seas. It is the largest province of Canada, occupying 16.7% of the entire territory, Quebec is three times larger than France, seven times larger than Great Britain and fifteen times larger than Belgium.
There are 130 thousand water streams and a million lakes. The largest river is the St. Lawrence, which originates in the Great Lakes and flows into the Atlantic in the bay of the same name. The highest Mountain peaks in Quebec - mountains D "Iberville (1622 m) on the Torngat ridge on the border with Labrador, and Jacques-Cartier (1268 m) in the Chik-Chok massif in Gaspesie. About 80% of the population lives along the banks of the St. Lawrence, in Montreal, Trois- Rivières and Quebec. Quebec has a continental climate, temperate in the meridional part and polar in the north, on the Ungava Peninsula. Winters are very snowy, temperatures drop to -30, summers are hot, up to +30. Therefore, it is common for Quebecers to sunbathe in the summer and travel in the winter. skiing in the mountains.
All four seasons here are very contrasting. It is especially beautiful in Quebec in the fall - the forests “burn” with bright colors. If the symbol of Canada is the maple leaf, then since 1999 the symbol of Quebec has become the iris flower. Irises bloom in spring throughout almost all of Quebec. In addition to the iris, the symbol of the region is also the yellow birch, namely the dark-stemmed Canadian birch. The flag of Quebec features a lily, as if linking this territory with France through time and ocean and emphasizing its attachment to French history and culture.
Most of the population of North America turned out to be English-speaking, but the French population of Canadian Quebec did not cease to demand self-determination. In isolation, Quebec's Francophones have managed to maintain their language and their identity, despite the fact that they are surrounded by 250 million Anglophones! Of course, Quebec French is different from Parisian. They say that it shows the features of the dialects of French Picardy and Norman of the 17th century, in addition, there are a lot of borrowings from English, this language has its own vocabulary, its own vocabulary. “Hello” is said here both when they meet and when they say goodbye, “lunch” means “breakfast”, “dinner” means “lunch”. Here it is customary to address people as "you", especially if you are under thirty. People of the same generation, acquaintances and strangers, also address each other as “you.” It is also not customary to address people by “you” on the phone.
Despite the formal break with France that occurred in the 18th century, the soul of Quebec remained French. Quebec dreams of sovereignty. However, in 1980, the population rejected the sovereignty project with the formation of the federal government. The last referendum on sovereignty, held in 1995, also showed that the majority of the population did not want independence. Opinion polls show overwhelming support for a free Quebec, but when it comes to elections the picture changes. The Parti Québécois argues that the people of this region are at the intersection of three civilizations - they were nurtured by French culture, which gave them a civil code, have integrated traditions and elements of British society, such as parliamentarism, into their lives, and live in an American way.
There are twenty tourist regions in Quebec. This is a huge area of natural resources, where the landscape is constantly changing - forests, rivers, lakes, mountains, there are 19 national parks. Magnificent places, mesmerizing with their beauty, attracting lovers of large space. For example, Parc Canton de l'Est is isolated from civilization. It is located 250 km from Quebec City and 225 km south of Montreal - short distances for motorists. It is open daily from mid-May to mid-October and from December to the end of March There is camping in the park. Hunting, cutting down trees, and fishing are prohibited, however, as in other national parks, you may encounter deer, moose, even bears, lynxes, and some say they saw a puma here. Mount Megantic is home to the largest observatory on the east coast of North America.
Parc Mauricie, 70 km north of Trois-Rivières, is considered by many to be the most beautiful park in Quebec. Created in 1970, it covers an area of 536 km2. On the way to the park there are beautiful views of lakes Vapizagonke and Edouard. The park is open all year round. Gasperi Park is located 516 km north of Quebec and covers an area of 800 square meters. km. This is the only place in Quebec where caribou and Virginia deer live. If you are tired of civilization, you should go to Quebec not only for natural exoticism, but here you can get acquainted with the culture of the Indians. In Quebec, namely in fifty villages scattered over an area of 1,600,000 square meters. km., is home to 11 indigenous nations. These are settlements that are also a kind of tourist base, since you can stay there and fully immerse yourself in the life of the Indians - try local dishes from caribou meat, bear, wild duck, fish, take a canoe trip, and go fishing. In the spring, whales come to the mouth of the St. Lawrence River. You can watch them both from the shore and from the water - for this, boat excursions are organized here. There are many bird sanctuaries in Quebec. There are up to 270 species of birds on Cape Turmant. Thousands of white ducks and wild ducks arrive in the spring and fall.
The word "Quebec" implies several concepts - country, province, region, city, commune. Quebec City includes eight arrondissements, all of which are on the north bank of the St. Lawrence River. The city is called the old city, old capital, upper city, etc. Like no other city in Canada, it is connected with the history of the entire continent. Once the site of bloody battles, Quebec today has retained the features of its past - it stands on a river, has a citadel, is surrounded by forest, with 5 thousand trees of 80 species.
Quebec City was founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain. It was first the capital of New France (1608-1759), then became a fortress of the English colony and the capital of lower Canada under the English regime (1763-1867), and later became a provincial capital during the Canadian Confederation in 1867, when Canada's federal provinces were born. Occupying Quebec, or the strategically important territory on which it is now located, was the first goal of all the conquerors of Canada - the French and the English. Defensive construction of the city began in the 17th century, but was completed only by 1830, and the city defense system was finally formed at the beginning of the 20th century. Quebec is interesting for its historical monuments, parliament, and ancient buildings. Its charm consists of historical, cultural and architectural factors.
After walking through old Quebec and seeing its old buildings, you can go to the Notre-Dame de Quebec church, the city's cathedral. The cathedral was declared a historical monument in 1966, its history has been going on for 300 years. French craftsmen worked on its interior decoration. Stunning stained glass windows illuminate the crypts containing the remains of the bishops of Quebec and the rulers of New France. To get a more complete picture of Quebec, it is worth visiting the Quebec Museum, which houses the most interesting collection of Quebec art from the 17th century to the present day. The exhibition of the Museum of Civilization tells about the history of culture, about the Indians, about the traditions of both the first inhabitants of the region and modern Quebecers. In January-February, Quebec hosts a traditional winter carnival. The city turns into the kingdom of the snow queen. Usually at this time, canoe rides and ice and snow sculpture competitions are organized; an Ice Castle is being built in Lotto-Québec Square, in front of the Parliament building, around which performances and performances take place. A lot of entertainment is provided for children - ice slides, snow rafting. An Indian village is built right in the city. You can ride around the city on a sleigh drawn by horses and even dogs, and also play golf on the ice.
Montreal is a city much larger than Quebec. It is considered the metropolis or main city of Quebec and the second French-speaking city in the world. This is a modern city, a port, beloved by many for the diversity of its architecture and cosmopolitanism. Here you will find Italian, Latin, Portuguese, and Chinatowns. Montreal has gained worldwide recognition as a city with a huge range of restaurants and night life which is incredibly diverse. Residents and visitors have no opportunity or mood to be bored. In addition to many restaurants and bars, it is worth checking out museums - the Museum of Modern Art, which houses a collection of Quebec and foreign masters, the Museum fine arts Montreal, whose collection has been in the making for 137 years, is the center of Canadian architecture, which is a museum and educational center that hosts exhibitions of contemporary architects, as well as a museum of archeology and history, which shows the history of the metropolis from the Ice Age to the present day.
The heart of Montreal is Mainstreet, in French simply La Main, that is, the main street. The real name of the street is St. Lawrence Boulevard. This is the largest artery of the city, which has developed since its founding in the 17th century. St. Lawrence only became a boulevard in 1905, before which it was a road, then a street. The boulevard was the gateway to the New World, it led newcomers from another continent deep into Canada through the market, royal square and port embankments. Old Montreal has retained the spirit of antiquity, although the houses on its embankments have turned into offices and luxurious residences.
The Port of Montreal, renovated for its 350th anniversary in 1992, has not, however, forgotten its historical past. It is evidenced by the old trading warehouses of Saint-Joseph, built in 1861-1880, the streets of the Saint-Paul and Saint-Jacques district, built up in the 17th century, on which trading companies, banks, publishing houses, for example, have long been located. La Presse, the largest French-language weekly in America. On Notre Dame Street, in addition to the church of the same name, there are administrative buildings - the city hall, three courthouses. Notre-Dame Cathedral is the first neo-Gothic building in Montreal in the 19th century. The interior is rich in sculptures, wooden carvings, and gilding; the Sacré-Coeur Chapel amazes with its splendor. Chinatown, before it became a place of residence and trade for thousands of Chinese, was a favorite place of the Irish, who made it a little Dublin in the mid-19th century. However, the construction of the railway into western Canada in 1877 brought many Chinese to the area, and the appearance of the neighborhood's streets changed forever.
The suburb of St. Lawrence, a block at the exit from the city center, is a habitat and meeting place for a motley public, hippies, night butterflies, and regulars of trendy bars. They say that here you can eat the best hot dog in the city. Carré Dorré is a neighborhood where Montreal's wealthiest families have lived since the late 19th century. It is home to the Notman House, which has become an architectural monument, next to which is the hospital of the Sisters of the Anglican Church of St. Margaret, built in 1894. The Portuguese Quarter was once a village neighboring Montreal; in 1909 it became part of the city. ABOUT old village resembles a city hall building. The Portuguese once settled here, joined by Jews, Germans, and Poles who arrived in Montreal starting in 1900. The mixture of cultures in this quarter is evidenced by the proximity of synagogues, Catholic cathedrals, stone funeral steles, and the decoration of houses with Arabic azulejo tiles, characteristic of Portugal. The Italian quarter abounds with Italian cafes and restaurants, food markets, meat and cheese shops, and bakeries. The Italians, most of whom came to Montreal at the beginning of the twentieth century, built a Catholic cathedral here - the Notre-Dame de la Défense church on Dante Street, created by an Italian architect.
The history of the development and colonization of Canadian lands began back in the 17th century. It was then that the two richest and most powerful European powers, England and France, were actively looking for a short sea route to the shores, sending regular research expeditions for this.
A big problem for British sailors was the lack of necessary topographical knowledge and, accordingly, nautical maps at that time. Thus, they often confused entire continents, as a result of which present-day Canada even received the erroneous name of the West Indies. English navigators believed that they had reached India, while in fact they had discovered a completely new continent. New settlements immediately grew rapidly on the lands of the West Indies, and trade began. Many of the English emigrants, having settled in Canada, began farming, hunting animals, selling furs and fishing. Trading forts began to grow along the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, where hunters sold goods for Europe.
Colonization Canadian lands
By the end of the 17th century, England already had 13 colonies in America and sought to extend its power to those lands of Canada where the French colonies were located. Throughout the 18th century, fierce battles were fought over the country's territory with the participation of the British, French, Dutch and allied Indian tribes.
After the end of the Seven Years' War, 1756–1763, the Treaty of Paris was concluded between the rival countries - England and France. According to the document, Great Britain annexed Canada to its possessions. The territory began to be actively populated by the Irish, British, French and other European emigrants. Soon, due to the different political views of the population and the mixture of nationalities, British Canada was divided into two different colonies, which became known as Lower and Upper.
Period reunion And independence
The division of the country was not successful - very soon serious political and social difficulties emerged in Lower Canada. This led to the Patriot Rebellion against British rule. The rebellion was supported by the United States - as a result, Lower Canada declared itself an independent republic.
In the early 19th century, the British Act of Union reunited Canada into one country, and in 1854 the British government signed a free trade agreement with the United States with the United Canada. From that moment on, the country's economy began to grow rapidly and left the control of Great Britain. The population has also increased. By the end of the 19th century, the British were forced to give Canada the right to independently form a local government, which actually meant the beginning of the independent existence of a new state. The country's struggle for independence took place peacefully for just over a hundred years, from 1867 to 1982. The influence of the United Kingdom of Great Britain on Canada gradually faded, but English language still remained official - just like French.
) in the east. The Canada-US border is the longest shared border in the world.
Canada is a constitutional monarchy (kingdom) with a parliamentary system, its monarch is the monarch of the British Commonwealth of Nations; Canada is a bilingual and multicultural country, with English and French recognized as official languages at the federal level. A technologically and industrially advanced nation, Canada has a diversified economy based on rich natural resources and trade (particularly with Canada, with which Canada has had extensive cooperation since the days of the colonies and the founding of Confederation).
Founded by the French explorer J. Cartier in 1534, Canada originates from a French colony on the site of the modern one, originally inhabited by local peoples. After the period of English colonization, the Canadian Confederation was born from the union of three British colonies (which were previously territories). Canada received it as a result of a peace process that lasted from 1867 to 1982.
Currently, Canada is a federal state consisting of ten provinces and three territories. The province with a predominant French-speaking population is , the rest are predominantly English-speaking provinces, also called English Canada in comparison with French-speaking Quebec. One of nine predominantly English-speaking provinces, it is the only officially bilingual Canadian province. It is officially bilingual (English and French), and the territory recognizes eleven, including four official languages respectively (which also include English and French).
Etymology
Monument to Cartier. Saint Malo
Name Canada comes from the word kanata, meaning "settlement", "village" and "land", "land" in the language of the Laurentian Iroquois, who wintered in the village of Stadacona (in the vicinity of modern), the first Indians whom Jacques Cartier met on Gaspé in the summer of 1534 in their summer camp . (Compare with Mingo kanötayë’“village, city” and onond. ganataje"city" from other Iroquoian languages.) In 1535, the inhabitants of the area where the city is now located used the word to refer it to the village of Stadacona. Soon after Cartier's expedition, the Laurentian tribe disappeared without a trace - as archaeological excavations have shown, most likely as a result of wars with the southern Iroquois.
Cartier later used the word "Canada" to refer not only to this village, but to the entire area under the control of the local chief Donnacona. Since 1545, European books and maps have labeled this region and all banks of the St. Lawrence River with the word "Canada". Subsequently, this name was transferred to most neighboring territories in North America, governed by the British Empire.
Geographical position
Satellite image of Canada. Everywhere in the country except the extreme south, taiga predominates, glaciers are common in the Arctic region, as well as on the coastal mountains and Mount St. Elijah, while the steppe plains are favorable for agriculture. The southeastern plains, where the St. Lawrence River flows from the Great Lakes, are where most of the population lives.
Banff National Park in Alberta
Bear cubs in Kootenay National Park
Canada occupies most of the northern part of North America. 75% of the territory is the northern zone. Canada shares land borders in the south and northwest (between Alaska and Yukon) and extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west and the Arctic Ocean in the north. It also shares maritime borders with France () and Denmark (). Since 1925, Canada has owned the portion of the Arctic between 60˚ W. D. and 141˚ W. etc., however, these possessions are not generally recognized. The northernmost settlement in Canada and the world is in Alert (Nunavut), the base of the Canadian armed forces at the northern tip of Ellesmere Island (82.5˚ N, 834 km - 450 nautical miles - from the North Pole). Canada is the second largest country in the world.
The population density (about three people per 1 km²) is one of the lowest in the world. The most populated area of the country is the Quebec-Windsor corridor along the lowland shores of the St. Lawrence River and the southeastern Great Lakes. To the north of this area is the vast Canadian Shield, a rocky region scoured by the last Ice Age, stripped of fertile land, and rich in minerals, lakes and rivers. Canada has more lakes than any other country in the world and has a significant supply of fresh water. The Great Lakes are the world's largest source of fresh, non-freezing water by area.
Charlottetown (Prince Edward Island) in winter
In eastern Canada, the St. Lawrence River flows into the Gulf of St. Lawrence, having the largest estuary in the world, where the island of Newfoundland lies to the south. and are separated by the Bay of Fundy, which is famous for the highest tides in the world. These four maritime provinces are located east of Quebec. Ontario and Hudson Bay are located in the center of Canada, while from Manitoba west through Saskatchewan and Alberta there are vast plains of Canadian prairie all the way to the Rocky Mountains, which separate them from British Columbia. Hudson Bay is the second largest in the world after the Bay of Bengal.
Niagara Falls in Ontario.
North of the 60th parallel are three Canadian territories (, and), strewn with numerous lakes (the largest of which are the Great Bear and Great Slave Lakes) and crossed by the longest river in the country, the Mackenzie River. In addition, the continental lands of the Canadian North border on the north with a large archipelago, the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, which includes the largest islands in the world. The straits between these islands constitute the Northwest Passage from the Labrador Sea to the Beaufort Sea bypassing Baffin Bay. In addition, in this region covered with polar ice, between the Queen Elizabeth Islands there is a magnetic north pole.
Cape Spear, the easternmost point of Canada (and North America), is located on the Avalon Peninsula.
Polar bear, northern Manitoba
Vegetation varies from deciduous forests in southern Ontario to mixed and Laurentian forests and gradually decreases northward from taiga (boreal forests or coniferous belt) to tundra and further to the arctic deserts of the North. The polar islands are located in a zone whose surface is covered with snow and glaciers that do not melt even in the short summer. Baffin Island and other islands off the northern coast of Canada are covered with tundra, which occupies the entire northern mainland of Canada, penetrating far to the south along west coast Hudson Bay and the Labrador Peninsula. Heathers, sedges, shrubby birch and willow grow here. To the south of the tundra, between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, there is a wide strip of forests. Coniferous forests predominate; the main species are black spruce in the east and white spruce in the west (in the Mackenzie River valley), pine, larch, thuja, etc. Less common deciduous forests consist of poplar, alder, birch and willow. Forests in the Great Lakes region are especially diverse (American elm, Weymouth pine, Canadian hemlock, oak, chestnut, beech). On the Pacific coast, coniferous forests of Douglas and Sitka spruce, Alaskan and red cedar are common; Arbutus and Oregon oak are found near Vancouver. In the coastal Atlantic provinces - Acadian forests with balsam fir, black and red spruce; also cedar, American larch, yellow birch, beech.
In the tundra zone there are reindeer, arctic hare, lemming, arctic fox and the original musk ox. To the south, the fauna is more diverse - forest caribou, red elk, elk, and in mountainous areas - bighorn sheep and bighorn goats. Rodents are quite numerous: the Canadian chikari squirrel, chipmunk, American flying squirrel, beaver, jumper from the jerboa family, muskrat, porcupine, meadow and American hare, pika. Of the cat predators in Canada, the Canadian lynx and puma live. There are wolves, foxes, gray bears - grizzlies, and raccoons. Mustelids include sable, pecan, otter, wolverine, etc. There are many nesting migratory birds and game birds. The fauna of reptiles and amphibians is not rich. There are a lot of fish in freshwater reservoirs.
As for the relief, the bulk of the country is occupied by prairie plains and the Canadian Shield plateau. To the west of the prairies are the continental lowlands of British Columbia and the Rocky Mountains, while the Appalachians rise from Quebec south to the Maritime provinces. One of the mountains in Canada is named after a Serbian commander during the First World War.
Climate
Average January and July temperatures vary for each area. Winter can be very harsh in some regions of the country, with average monthly temperatures reaching −15˚C in the southern part of the country, and sometimes as low as −45˚C with strong, icy winds. The minimum temperature ever observed in Canada is −63 ˚С (in the Yukon). Every year the level of snow cover can reach several hundred centimeters (for example, in Quebec the average is 337 cm). The coast of British Columbia, especially Vancouver Island, is an exception and has a temperate climate with mild and rainy winters. Summer temperatures can reach +35 ˚С, even +40 ˚С, taking into account the humidity index.
Story
Panorama of Montreal, Canada
Indigenous peoples
Benjamin West's painting The Death of General Wolfe depicts the death of British General James Wolfe after his victory at the Battle of Abraham's Fields in 1759.
Archaeological and genetic studies of indigenous peoples have confirmed human presence in the north from approximately 26,500 years ago, and in the southern part of the province from 9,500 years ago. The Old Crow Flats and Bluefish archaeological sites are two of the earliest archaeological site human (Paleoindian) habitation in Canada.Among the Indians of Canada there are eight unique creation myths and adaptations of these myths. These are myths about the earth, the world parent, emergence, conflict, robbery, the rebirth of a corpse, two creators and their competition, as well as the myth about brothers. Canadian Aboriginal civilizations included permanent or urban settlements, agriculture, public and historic buildings, and complex social hierarchies. Some of these civilizations disappeared long before the first permanent European settlements (late 15th - early 16th centuries), and were discovered during archaeological research.
The indigenous population was estimated to be between 200,000 and 2,000,000 at the end of 1400. The Canadian Royal Commission on Aboriginal Health adopted a figure of 500,000. Repeated outbreaks of European infectious diseases such as influenza, measles, and smallpox (to which the Indians had no natural immunity), combined with other effects of European contact, resulted in the extinction of 40% to 80% of the indigenous population. Indigenous peoples in Canada include Indians, Eskimos and Métis. Métis culture arose in the mid-17th century, when Indians and Inuit mixed with European settlers. The Inuit had more limited contact with European settlers during the early period.
New France
French explorer Jacques Cartier lands on Gaspé in 1534.
The first Europeans arrived when the Norse Vikings settled at Lance Au Medu in Newfoundland around the year 1000, after the failure of this colonization attempt, no other attempts are known until 1497, when the Italian navigator Giovanni Caboto (John Cabot) explored the Atlantic coast of Canada for .Subsequently, between 1498 and 1521, various Portuguese sailors explored the coast of eastern Canada and established permanent fishing settlements in the region. In 1524, the eastern shores of Canada were explored by an expedition of the Florentine navigator Giovanni Verrazano, who was in the service of the French king.
In 1534, Jacques Cartier came ashore the Gaspé and named this land Canada, which later became one of the provinces of New France. After numerous unsuccessful attempts (New Angoulême in and Vaux), the French founded the first colonies approved by the crown: Tadousac (Quebec) in 1600 , Port-Royal in 1605 and in 1608. The British legally formed a city in Newfoundland in 1610. The French established strong ties with the Indian peoples closest to them.
However, European explorers brought numerous diseases that quickly spread along trade routes deep into the indigenous population, causing devastation. French settlers, who often arrived very sick in not very clean ships, were saved by Indian medicines. So, for example, to cure scurvy, they offer decoctions from the bark of white cedar, and its name is aneda.
French period: alliances, battles and the Seven Years' War
Competition for territory, naval bases, fur and fishing becomes increasingly violent, with multiple wars breaking out involving the French, Dutch, English and allied Indian tribes. The French-Iroquoian wars for control of the fur trade are fought between the Iroquois Confederation, whose allies were first the Dutch and then the English, and or even the Algonquins, allies of the French. Four French-Iroquois Wars between 1689 and 1763 resulted in the successive passage of Newfoundland and, later, Acadia into British hands. There were clashes between French settlers and British authorities, such as the complete destruction of Port-Royal and the subsequent deportation of the Acadians (known as the Great Trouble) in 1755.
Autonomous Canada
Charge of a Canadian tank and soldiers at the Battle of Vimy Ridge in 1917
As part of the British Empire, Canada enters the First world war in 1914 and sends divisions composed primarily of volunteers to the Western Front (Belgium, Somme and in) to fight as a national contingent. Of the approximately 625,000 men who served in the corps, about 60,000 were killed and another 173,000 were wounded. The loss of life is so great that the then Canadian Prime Minister, Sir Robert Laird Borden, issues a conscription order in 1917. This decision was extremely unpopular with the Quebec population, leading to the conscription crisis of 1917, the loss of popularity of the Conservative Party in Quebec, and the famous silent Quebec strike, a response to the Ladies' Road uprising in France. During a large Quebec demonstration, the British army shoots into the crowd and kills many people. Although members of the Liberal Party are deeply divided over the issue of compulsory conscription, they unite and become the dominant party on the Canadian political scene.
In 1919, Canada joined the League of Nations on its own initiative, and in 1931, the Statute of Westminster confirmed that henceforth no law of the British Parliament applies to the territory of Canada without its consent, and the competence of the government of Canada (as well as other British dominions) expands in international and internal affairs. At the same time, the Great Depression of 1929 affected Canadians of all social classes; the growing popularity of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) in Alberta and leads to reform of the political system in accordance with the concept of a welfare state, such as those mentioned by Tommy Douglas or later in the 1960s by Jean Lesage in Quebec.
Until Canada's centenary in 1967, massive post-war immigration from various devastated countries in Europe changed the course of the country's demographics. In addition, throughout the Vietnam War, thousands of American dissidents settled throughout the country. Increased immigration combined with a sharp increase in the birth rate - an economic phenomenon similar to what happened in the 60s. - and with the reaction to the quiet coup in Quebec, contributes to the emergence of a new type of Canadian nationalism.
A number of social democratic programs were also created, such as universal health care, the Canada Pension Plan, and the Canada Student Loans, although provincial governments, particularly the provinces and Canada, opposed many of them as they considered them an intrusion into their jurisdiction. Finally, after a series of constitutional conferences, the Canadian Constitution was repatriated in 1982, along with the creation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In 1999, it became Canada's third territory after a series of negotiations with the federal government.
As of January 2015, Canada's national unemployment rate was 6.6%. Provincial unemployment shares range from a low of 4.5% in Alberta and Saskatchewan to a provincial high of 11.4%.
Canada's public debt (cumulative deficit) in fiscal year 2013-14 was C$611.9 billion, in the 2012-13 financial year - 609.4 billion.
Canada's net assets in the third quarter of 2014 were $25.6 billion.
The budget deficit in the 2013-14 fiscal year was $5.2 billion, and in the 2012-13 fiscal year it was $18.4 billion.
Canada is one of the world's leading manufacturers of Hi-Fi and Hi-End loudspeaker systems and components.
Population
Toronto, Canada's largest city by population and most multicultural
Vancouver, Canada's youngest and most dynamic city
The population of Canada at the beginning of 2010 is 34 million people. The 2006 census recorded a 5.4% increase compared to 2001.
Despite its large area, approximately three-quarters of Canada's population lives within 160 km of the border. A similar proportion exists in urban areas concentrated in the Windsor corridor (particularly the Hamilton and - metropolitan areas), on the continental plains of British Columbia (from the Vancouver area to the end of the Fraser River Valley) and in the Calgary-Edmonton corridor in Alberta. The 2001 census recorded 30,007,094 Canadians. According to Statistics Canada, the country's population as of March 2009 was about 33.5 million, 8 million of whom were French speakers. Population growth is mainly due to immigration. While the bulk of the economic impact of immigration comes from independent skilled immigrants, half of all those entering the country are eligible for the family reunification program (spouses, minor children or parents of new Canadian sponsors).
Canada is a very diverse country from an ethnic point of view. According to the 2006 census, Canada is home to 43 ethnic groups consisting of at least 100,000 people. The largest ethnic group calls itself "Canadian" (30.9%), as most Canadians, especially those whose ancestors came during colonial times, view themselves as Canadian people. This is followed by those who call themselves English (20.1%), French (15.1%), Scots (14.5%), Irish (13.3%), German (9.7%), Italian (4). .4%), Chinese (4.1%), Indians (3.8%), Ukrainians (3.7%), Dutch (3.2%), Poles (3%), Indians (3%), Russians (1.5%).
Canada is a country of immigrants. Canada's global reputation as a highly developed, peaceful country free of ethnic unrest and conflict, where you can raise children in a calm environment, certainly contributes to the growth of immigration into the country. New Canadians, as newly arrived immigrants are commonly called here, overwhelmingly settle in large cities, due to the labor market situation and existing contacts. After a while, almost everyone moves to the suburbs that ring every North American city. Immigration makes a significant contribution to a country's economy, from government fees and application fees to the financial contribution of those entering, especially families, from the purchase of real estate and furniture to future tax revenues. The country's ethnic composition has undergone enormous changes over the past thirty years, driven by dramatic changes in immigration policy. According to 2001 data, only 39.4% of those living in the country consider themselves to be descendants of immigrants from, Ireland and. Anyone wishing to immigrate to Canada has open access to the entry conditions and requirements for potential immigrants published on the official website of the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration Affairs.
The main directions of population migration within Canada for many years have been the outflow of young people from rural areas and small towns to large cities, as well as the mass exodus of skilled labor (engineers, nurses, designers, etc.) and university graduates to work in the United States. can certainly be called the strongest magnet for intra-Canadian migration in the east of the country. Due to the rapid growth of the oil and gas industry and construction in Alberta and British Columbia, there is a strong trend of an outflow of a mobile young population from Central Canada, from the Prairies and Atlantic provinces to Western Canada. There is also an ongoing exodus from Quebec to other provinces of the English-speaking population, tired of many years of separatist sentiments and, according to those leaving, not wanting to feel like second-class citizens.
Over the past decades, the ethnic composition of the largest Canadian cities - Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver - has changed significantly towards an increase in the weight of the population from the countries of the Middle East, China, India, Latin America and other regions of the world.
Languages and federal bilingualism policy
Montreal's population is predominantly French-speaking, but there is a significant English-speaking community. According to the 2006 census, French is spoken by 52.6% of Montreal residents, with an alarming trend of becoming a minority language.
Canada is officially a bilingual country. Since July 7, 1969, under the Official Languages Act, English and French have equal status in parliament, the federal court and government agencies. This measure reflects the important historical, political and cultural role of French-speaking Quebec. The Prime Minister of Canada traditionally makes speeches in Parliament and at public events, partly in English and partly in French. The chairmen of all four federal parties speak both languages. All Canadian federal employees serving the public in offices and by telephone are required to be able to communicate in both English and French. All federal literature, from tax returns to brochures and reports, is published in both languages.
English is the native language of 57.8% of the population, French - for 22.1%. 98.5% of Canadians speak at least one of the official languages (67.5% speak English only, 13.3% speak French only, 17.7% speak both languages). About 5,200,000 people indicated during the population census that their native language is one of the unofficial languages: Chinese (including Cantonese) has recently firmly established itself in first place in terms of the number of speakers - with 853,745 people, followed by Italian (469,485), then German (438,080) and, thanks to the largest Sikh population outside India, Punjabi (271,220). It should be borne in mind that these data do not fully reflect the ethnic composition of Canada, since these languages are native only to first-generation immigrants and elderly parents - their children and grandchildren quickly switch to English or French upon arrival, or already speak these languages since childhood.
The main official language in all provinces and territories, excluding and, is English, however, all documents and other official texts are necessarily duplicated in French. In Quebec, the official language is French. 85% of French-speaking Canadians live in Quebec. Significant French-speaking populations live in northern New Brunswick, as well as in eastern and northern Ontario, southern Manitoba and Saskatchewan. In the English-speaking provinces of Canada, schools teaching some or all subjects in French (“French immersion program”) are very popular: parents enroll their children in them long before the start of classes, since bilingualism is a great advantage when applying for public service. Numerous local languages are recognized as official languages in the Northwest Territories. In Nunavut, a new Canadian territory in the far north, the native language of the majority of the population (Inuit) is Inuktitut, an Eskimo dialect, one of the territory's three official languages.
Religion
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Kingston
Canadians practice a large number of religions. According to the latest census, 77.1% of Canadians consider themselves Christians, the majority of them are Catholics (43.6% of Canadians). The most important Protestant church is the United Church of Canada (unites most of the Calvinists (some Presbyterians and all Congregationalists and Methodists); approximately 17% of Canadians do not associate themselves with any religion, and the rest of the population (6.7%) professes other religions (Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism). Over the past 10 years, Canada's Muslim population has increased by 82% - from approximately 579 thousand people in 2001 to more than 1 million in 2011. Muslims make up 3.2% of Canada's population, while while in 2001 they accounted for only 2%. Two-thirds of Canadian Muslims live in the country's three largest cities - and Toronto has the largest Muslim community - 424 thousand people, in Montreal and Vancouver, respectively, more than 221 thousand. and about 73 thousand 200 people. This is the fastest growing community in Canada, ABNA.co notes.
Culture
Many elements of Canadian culture are very similar to that of the United States, including film, television, clothing, housing, private transportation, consumer goods and food. Despite this, Canada has its own unique culture.
Canada has many internationally renowned orchestras, such as the Quebec Symphony Orchestra, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and especially the Montreal Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Kent Nagano.
Canadian multiculturalism
Kwakwaka'wakw totem and traditional large house in Victoria, British Columbia
In recognition of Canada's diversity of peoples, the country has had a policy of multiculturalism, or multiculturalism, since the 1960s. Elements from cultures around the world can be found in Canadian cities; in many cities there are neighborhoods with a predominance of some kind national minority(for example, Chinese, Italian, Portuguese quarters in Toronto and Montreal), festivals dedicated to cultures are regularly held different countries. The Maritime provinces preserve the Celtic folklore of the Irish and Scots, which at the same time fits well with the Gallo-Roman themes of Celtic Gaul, which predominate in Acadia and Quebec. The influence of Canada's indigenous population is also noticeable, with huge totem poles and other indigenous art found in many places.
Canada's French-speaking population stands out significantly. It gives a special character to Canada; is the most important center of French-speaking culture in Canada. Many French-speaking artists come to Montreal from various places in the country (, Acadia, etc.), from (especially from), as well as from the Caribbean region to pursue careers in the fields of literature, music, film, etc.
Canadian culture is influenced by recent immigrants from all parts of the world. Many people come to Canada from Europe, the Middle East and Africa, which contributes to the development of corresponding cultural elements in the life of the country. Many Canadians embrace multiculturalism, and some people's views suggest that Canadian culture is, in the narrow sense, multicultural. Canada's multicultural heritage is protected by Section 27 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The creativity and preservation of Canada's diverse culture depends in part on federal government programs, laws and political institutions such as the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, fr. Société Radio-Canada), National Film Board of Canada, French. Office national film du Canada), as well as the Radio Television and Telecommunications Council. Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, fr. Conseil de la radiodiffusion et des telecommunications canadiennes).
Traditions
Respect and equal treatment of everyone in the country is the norm for Canadians. In the country it is not customary to evaluate other people by their clothes, car or work. Wealth has no role; the determining factor is the person himself and his successes. Canadians first name or write the first name, and only then the last name, thus demonstrating that the person himself is more important than his origin. But people who break the law are treated very harshly in the country. Such people lose all authority in the eyes of society. Another one characteristic Canadians - politeness. They are incredibly polite, the habit of asking for forgiveness is in their blood. “Sorry” is one of the most popular words among local residents. They greet and inquire about the affairs of everyone they meet—the bus driver or the tourist asking for directions.
In the country it is customary to help each other and always be positive. On holidays, you can easily find someone who will agree to give a drunk person a ride home free of charge. Canadians give gifts to children they don't know, and they may give their things to a homeless person because he needs them more. Canadians always smile, smiling is part of their culture and way of communication; visitors always quickly become infected with this habit and begin to smile along with the locals, enjoying life in its most banal manifestations. The elderly and disabled people in the country are cared for with special attention. The infrastructure for people with disabilities in the country is incredibly developed; they can freely enter absolutely any institution and lead a full life.
The main sport in Canada is ice hockey, played by men, women and children. Hockey is an important part of Canadian culture and a true passion for locals. Successful hockey players are a real asset to the country. In Canada, it is not customary to organize traditional feasts, especially among young people. Exceptions are traditional holidays - Christmas, Thanksgiving. Typically, a birthday celebration is a party with light snacks, pizza and chips. Guests usually bring wine or a pack of beer, and sometimes their own snacks. If the birthday is celebrated in a restaurant, the birthday person only needs to pay for drinks or some kind of snack.
Education
The provinces and territories are responsible for education in Canada; There is currently no government ministry of education in Canada. Each of the educational systems is similar to the others, while simultaneously reflecting its own history, local culture and geography of the respective province. Only the system in Quebec differs most from the others: there, after graduating from basic school, studies continue at the College of General Vocational Education (Cégep), a school that prepares for university entrance and prepares technical specialists. The age of learning varies across Canada, but typically ranges from 5-7 to 16-18 years of age, contributing to 99 percent adult literacy. Provincial and territorial governments are responsible for secondary and higher education and largely fund it; The federal government additionally provides subsidies for research activities. As of 2002, 43% of Canadian adults aged 25 to 64 had already completed secondary or tertiary education, and 51% of those aged 25 to 34 years old. According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD) 2017 international Pisa rankings, Canadian teenagers are among the best educated in the world, with the country achieving the highest scores in math, science and reading. In the natural sciences, the variation in grades due to socioeconomic differences is only 9% in Canada, while in France it reaches 20% and 1% in France.
Canadian universities are actively attracting foreign students. Every year, Canadian universities and colleges admit about 150,000 international students. For example, in 2010, international students spent more than C$8 billion in Canada on tuition, accommodation and other expenses. More than 86,000 jobs were created and generated revenue in excess of $455 million.
Architecture
The best examples of the country's architecture include the buildings of Simon Fraser and Lethbridge universities designed by Arthur Erickson, the Canadian pavilions at the world exhibitions in Montreal (1967) and Osaka (1970), the building of the Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver, buildings designed by the architect Douglas Cardinal, in particular, the Canadian Museum of Civilization (1989).
Rodeo
The Calgary Stampede festival is held annually. Growing from an annual fair held since 1886, by 1912 the festival had grown into the largest outdoor show. The Festival Historical Committee assists in the preservation of historical artifacts in the festival archives, organizes exhibitions and recreates historical events in the Stampede Park area.
Contributions to popular culture
Canadian singer Avril Lavigne
Canada has given the world a large number of famous rock, pop, folk and jazz musicians.
Canadian cinema has emerged relatively recently. The National Film Board was formed in 1939, and in 1967 the government established the Canadian Film Development Corporation (now known as Telefilm Canada) to assist film producers in making feature films. Soon after, such outstanding films with Canadian themes appeared as Don Chebib's Down the Road (1970) and Claude Jutre's My Uncle Antoine (1971). Canadian directors Denis Arcand (The Decline of the American Empire), Atom Egoyan (Exotica), Norman Jewison and David Cronenberg received international recognition.
A number of world-famous filmmakers, both actors and directors, were born or lived for a long time in Canada, but made artistic careers in the United States. You can name such actors as Tommy Chong, Mary Pickford, Matthew Perry, Eric Nadsen, Leslie Nielsen, Justin Bieber, Michael J. Fox, Keanu Reeves, Ryan Reynolds, Ryan Gosling, Jim Carrey, Ellen Page, Raiserrga McAdams, Francois Arnault, Jessica Lowndes, Jessica Steen, Nina Dobrev and Michael Cera. Of the directors, this is primarily James Cameron ( Terminator and - have their own teams that are part of the National Hockey League (NHL). 50% of all players in the League (and there are 30 clubs in total from Canada and ) come from Canada. Toronto is home to the world's largest hockey hall of fame. The official summer sport is lacrosse.
Curling is also popular in Canada. figure skating and Canadian football (similar to the American version, there is the Canadian Football League). European football, basketball and baseball are played more at the amateur and youth level. These sports are not as popular in the professional sphere as the others, although one of the NBA clubs is based in. The 1988 Winter Olympics were held.
Canada was the host of the FIFA Youth World Cup in 2007. The XXI Winter Olympic Games in 2010 were held in the Canadian city and at the nearby ski resort of Whistler ().
Symbols of Canada
The national symbols of Canada are the maple, the beaver and the Canadian horse breed.
In addition, there are other symbols. For example, the coins depict a reindeer (caribou), a black-billed loon (Common Loon, which is why a one dollar coin is usually called a loonie), and a polar bear.
International rating
| Organization | Study | Place |
|---|---|---|
| Project "Freedom in the countries of the world" | World Freedom Index | 3 of 159 |
| UN Development Program | Human Development Index | 4 of 182 |
| The World Bank | Ease of Doing Business, 2009 | 8 of 181 |
| Economist | The world in 2005. International Living Standards Index 2005 | 14 of 111 |
| Yale/Columbia University | Environmental Sustainability Index 2005 | 6 out of 146 |
| Reporters Without Borders | Press Freedom Index 2009 | 19 of 175 |
| Transparency International | Corruption index 2010 | 6 out of 180 |
| Institute for Economics & Peace | Peacefulness Rating | 8 out of 144 |
| Foundation for a World Without War | Fragile States Index 2009 | 166 of 177 |
| World Economic Forum | Global Competitiveness Report | 9 of 133 |
| Economist | Democracy Index | 11 of 167 |
see also
- Canadian Studies.
- Rail Transport Canada.
Page 2 of 2
In 1840, the Act of creating a single colony of Canada was passed in London, with English declared the only official language. This was another fact of the oppression of the French Canadians, firmly established in the historical memory of the people. The presence of a legislative chamber did not yet mean the triumph of the principle of government responsible to parliament, for which the inhabitants of a united Canada had to fight for a quarter of a century.
Democratic forces of English and French Canada led by L.E. La Fontaine and R. Baldwin fought hard throughout the 1840s. for the implementation of this most important democratic principle of self-government. This was an important stage in the democratization of Canadian society towards the creation of a truly independent state.
The rapid economic development of Canada - the construction of canals in the Great Lakes system and the St. Lawrence River, railways - objectively contributed to the unification of the disparate British colonies and the growth of all-Canadian national identity. The political balance of power has also changed, indicating the formation of independent political parties in Canada. By 1851, two leading Canadian reformers, Baldwin and Lafontaine, left the political scene, giving way to more moderate political leaders, the conservatives J. Macdonald and J.-E. Cartier, who expressed the interests of the new Canadian bourgeoisie. The radical direction was represented by the Reform Party, led by J. Brown, and the Rouge Party, led by A.E. Dorion.
The population of the province of Canada has grown significantly, especially in its English-speaking part. According to the 1861 census, the population of western Canada (formerly Upper Canada) was 1.6 million, and eastern Canada (formerly Lower Canada) was 1.1 million. This added urgency to the national conflict, as representatives of English Canada believed that French Canadians were unfairly overrepresented in the local parliament (50% of all seats). There is no doubt that the national question had to emerge in the course of the progressive movement towards unification.
The driving force behind this was the “great coalition” of 1864 of supporters of the unification of all the English colonies of England into a single country. It was led by the representative of the Anglo-Canadian conservatives MacDonald, the French-Canadian conservative Cartier and the Anglo-Canadian reformer Brown. At conferences held in Charlottetown (September 1864) and Quebec City (October 1864), the basic principles on which the new state was created were agreed upon.
In 1867, the English Parliament adopted the British North America Act, which created the Canadian Confederation - the Dominion of Canada, which initially included four provinces: Quebec (formerly Lower Canada), Ontario (formerly Upper Canada), Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. In the last third of the century they were joined by three more provinces: Manitoba (1870), British Columbia (1871), Prince Edward Island (1873) and one Yukon Territory (1898). Further consolidation of the Canadian Confederation took place during the first half of the next century.
During the formation of the Canadian Confederation, it was never possible to resolve the historically arose national issue, namely, to recognize the existence of the French-Canadian nation. Despite certain rights they received in the province of Quebec, the French Canadians found themselves in it as in a ghetto, since their full participation in the settlement of the west of the country turned out to be impossible. This was fully confirmed as a result of two popular uprisings of French-speaking mestizos and Indians on the Red River in 1869-1870. and Northwest Territories in 1885, led by Louis Riel. These rebels, who advocated the right of self-government on the lands they had developed, enjoyed great moral support from French-speaking Quebec, because they were essentially talking about the possibility of equal participation of the two nations in the further development of the country. The brutal suppression of the uprisings and the execution of Riel in 1885 caused mass protests in Quebec and found a response in Russian periodicals of the time.
The activities of the second administration of J. MacDonald (1878-1891), which went down in history as the “national policy,” took place in the context of the territorial growth of the country and its actual unification through intensive railway construction, which attracted the attention of the Russian government as a model for the implementation of a similar project in Russia, which created excellent conditions for the development of the domestic market and more intensive development of remote and resource-rich areas of Canada.
The last decade of the 19th century was particularly controversial. On the one hand, French-Canadians continued to experience discrimination from an increasing number of English-speaking residents of the country, especially outside Quebec. Thus, in 1890, the provincial government of Manitoba passed a special school law, which ended public funding for French-language schools in this province, where from the very beginning there was a fairly strong minority of French-speaking Catholics. French was also canceled as a official language this province. After the execution of Riel, this was another humiliation of French-speaking Canadians within their country, and it could not but affect the deterioration of relations between the two peoples of the country. On the other hand, in 1896, the French Canadian Wilfried Laurier became Prime Minister of Canada for the first time, which, of course, significantly contributed to the national reconciliation of the English and French Canadians, so necessary for further development and the territorial integrity of the country. Despite the first wave of industrialization that began in 1896, Canada at the end of the century continued to remain a predominantly agricultural country, which gave reason to characterize it in the social thought of Russia at that time as a “Peasant Kingdom”, or, as the British politician B. Disraeli called it, "Russia of the New World". Laurier advocated a radical transformation of Canada towards strengthening Canadian identity and sincerely believed that the next century would be Canada's century.
A fantastic combination of rocky ocean coast, flowering grape valleys, centuries-old forests, clear lakes, rivers, mighty mountains and roaring waterfalls... This is the western outskirts of Canada, a protected corner of the untouched, pristine world - the province of British Columbia.
Story
The indigenous population lived in the district long before the colonization of North America, more than 11,500 years ago.
The exploration of these lands by Europeans began with the expedition of James Cook in 1778, and was continued in 1792 by his follower George Vancouver, in whose honor the largest island of the district and the largest metropolis of the dominion were named. From this period, a British protectorate was established in these territories, called New Caledonia, without any formal organization. Administrative functions were performed by divisions of the Company, which monopolistically traded furs in this region.
Over time, the division of land occurred: several states on the southern edge of the basin joined the United States; the British part of the territory, under this name, assigned to the district by Queen Victoria herself, became part of the Canadian Confederation in 1871. The dominion experienced a real boom during the period of the “gold rush”, the construction of the transnational railway and the subsequent mass migration to these lands during the years of revolutions and wars of the Asian and European populations. Since then, the region has been steadily growing and developing. It ranks third in the country in terms of population.
Cities of British Columbia
The largest city in the province and the second on the west coast is Vancouver. It is a conglomerate with 20 suburbs and a total population of 2.3 million people. Rapid growth began with the construction of a transnational railway from the center of the country to Vancouver and the development of the port. Repeatedly the metropolis became “ The best city Earth." Built at the mouth of the river. Fraser on opposite shores of Burrard Inlet. Therefore, many bridges connect the city into a single whole. Mountain ranges surround him on all sides. In 2010, Vancouver hosted Winter Olympics, so you can have no doubt about the quality of the city’s ski resorts. The difference from the colonial capital of British Columbia, Victoria, is the multinational and multicultural nature of Vancouver, where, in addition to immigrants from England, there are large Chinese and Japanese diasporas. In addition, it is a major center for scientific and research work. It is home to Simon Fraser University, considered Canada's leading university, and the University of British Columbia, one of the top thirty in the world.
The district capital is Victoria, located in the southern part and is the second largest metropolitan area in the province. The city itself is small - 80,000 people, but includes 12 more municipalities in the neighborhood, and its total population is 345 thousand inhabitants. It is considered the “most British” in spirit in Canada, since most of its residents are retired Englishmen. British traditions are everywhere here: in double decker buses, typical London shops, pubs and cafes with a mandatory five-hour tea party.
About 60% of the district's population lives in these two cities, more than one hundred thousand people live in the cities of Kelona and Abbotsford.
University of British Columbia in Vancouver
It has approximately 57,000 students from both Canada and 149 countries around the world. It has one of the best scientific, laboratory and research facilities. In addition, the university has its own anthropological museum, teaching clinics, arts center and concert hall. A special pride is the library, the collection of which is considered the second in Canada. The university employs more than 9,000 teachers, there are even Nobel laureates. It is considered one of the fastest growing universities in the world with excellent academic performance indicators.
Edge of many vertices
The largest mountain system (Rocky Mountains) in the District of British Columbia is located in the center of the entire region and stretches along from north to south. Most of the mountain area is occupied by national forests and parks. Hiking, snowboarding, skiing, fishing and hunting and, of course, mountaineering - thanks to all this, lovers of fresh air and extreme species sports The Rocky Mountains will seem like a real paradise.
The highest peak (4671 m above sea level) in the province is located in the northwestern part of the region - the St. Elias Mountains, and it is called Fairweather. This coastal peak rises 20 km from Pacific Ocean and is perfectly visible from the sea on a clear day. For which it was named Fairweather Mountain by James Cook himself in 1778.
The Coastal and Pacific Ridges separate the coast from the mainland. They also fundamentally share the nature of these areas. Many smaller mountain systems, highlands and plateaus cover the entire territory of British Columbia, creating in their gorges and valleys a whole network of deep mountain rivers and lakes.
Life-giving springs
British Columbia, a fabulous land of water elements, contains 31 lakes and 32 rivers on its territory. Almost all rivers and lakes contain salmon and trout. The main waterway of the province is the Fraser. This deep river begins in the Rocky Mountains and, flowing through the plateau and canyon of the same name, absorbs many tributaries, simultaneously increasing the slopes of the banks to a height of 100 m and greatly accelerating. It flows into the Pacific Ocean, where the largest city in the district and the largest port on the west coast of North America, Vancouver, is built in the delta.
In the Rocky Mountains in the Valley of a Thousand Peaks is the source of a mountain river called the Columbia. 40% of it flows through Canada. The powerful current and large slope of the river have their own specifics:
- The Columbia Basin was subject to constant inundation and flooding.
- To protect against these natural disasters, several dams and dams have been built on the river.
- The "steep temper" of the river is used in hydropower.
- This is a major shipping canal.
Near the Pacific Ocean
In the west, the province ends at the sea coast and, closer to the north, borders the American state of Alaska. The entire coastline is indented with convenient bays and fjords, extending tens of kilometers inland. Thousands of islands are scattered here. The largest of them are Vancouver and Graham from the Queen Charlotte Islands. Many tourists flock to admire one of the most stunning places in the world - the Coast Ranges of British Columbia. Photos of the most picturesque corners of the Riviera are amazing.
The weather in coastal areas is influenced by warm weather, making it mild and rainy. In a favorable climate, lush taiga forests grow, covering the coast.
Mainland District
In the north and east, the province neighbors the Canadian districts (Yukon, Northwest Territories and Alberta), and in the southern part it borders the United States.
The Coast Ranges mountain range blocks the supply of moist air masses from the Pacific Ocean to the mainland from the coast. Therefore, further from the sea in the central part of the district there are arid plateaus and deserts.
A pleasant, mild and warm climate has developed in the valleys and Okanagan, where excellent Canadian wine and cider are produced.
The northern part of British Columbia is dominated by cold and sparsely populated mountainous regions. And only in the northeastern part, descending lower into the valley, are prairies pleasing to the eye.
The Miraculous Pearl of Canada
An invaluable feature of the province is that 95% of its land is natural landscapes, and only 5% is arable land. Three-quarters of the region is occupied by mountains and hills greater than 1000 meters, and 60% is forest. The pristine and unique nature with natural habitats for birds and fish. That is why an eighth of the entire territory occupied by British Columbia is protected natural areas. Among them are 14 national parks (including Yoho, Mount Revelstoke, Glacier, Kootenay and others) and about 430 more provincial and regional ones.
Here you will find unique places and landscapes:
- Sandy deserts.
- Steep canyons.
- Misty waterfalls.
- Harsh volcanoes.
- Hot healing springs.
- Fairytale caves.
- Sparkling glaciers.
- Stunning rivers and lakes.
- Incredible northern and vibrant southern islands.
- Picturesque bays and bays.
Special places
Fans of unusual holidays and vivid impressions in the British Columbia province can visit:
- Bear Ranch.
- Salmon Museum.
- Indigenous reserves.
- Botanical Garden, Glendale, Victoria Butterfly and Exotic Animal Garden.
- Birds of Prey Park.
- Cathedral grove of ancient pseudo-hemlocks (up to 800 years old, up to 75 m high with a trunk up to 9 m in diameter).
- Diving, ski resorts, kayaking and canoeing, fishing, etc.
- In March, pods of whales can be seen off the coast of Vancouver Island.
- You can visit a caribou breeding farm
- Helicopter and ferry trips.
- Vintage railways.
- Travels from the Gold Rush.
- The ghost town of Three Valley Gap.
- Powerful dams and lighthouses.
- Historical reserves.
So if you ever want to see almost everything that nature has to offer and feel the flavor of North America, visit such a wonderful place as British Columbia (Canada).
