About Canada

Canada, in terms of land area, is the second largest country in the world. Canada is a country of diverse cultural and geographical features- in other words, there is something for everyone! Skiing, swimming and mountain climbing are just a few of the outdoor activities you can enjoy while visiting Canada. Some popular annual events in Canada are: The Winter Carnival in Quebec City, The Montreal International Jazz Festival, The Just For Laughs Festival and many other theatre and music festivals located in virtually every city and province across the country.

Canada’s climate varies from province to province but basically we have four seasons: winter, winter, winter and summer! Just kidding. However, winter does in most places last from late November until mid April. Temperatures vary but in many provinces winter temperatures can be as cold as minus 20 to 30 degrees Celsius. Dress warmly! Summers are generally hot. BC is slightly warmer than most other provinces but it can be quite wet so pack a raincoat.

Canada’s currency is the dollar. One dollar = one hundred cents. Credit Cards are widely accepted in Canada. Automated bank machines (ATM) are easily accessible in most cities and towns but it is best to check that your PIN number is accepted in Canadian machines. Most banks are open Monday to Thursday from 10 am to 3 pm with longer hours on Fridays.

It is recommended to travel with a passport to avoid unnecessary delays.

Layout of the Land

Eastern Canada borders on the Atlantic Ocean. The provinces located there are Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick. These provinces form Atlantic Canada or The Maritime Provinces.

West of Atlantic Canada is Quebec and continuing westward is Ontario with the giant metropolis of Toronto and the nation’s capital, Ottawa Western Canada stretches from Manitoba across the prairies of Alberta and Saskatchewan to British Columbia. Not to be forgotten, especially for the truly adventurous are the untamed and unspoiled lands of Northern Canada which include Nunavut and the Yukon and the Northwest Territories.

Ready to go?

Following is a short description of each province and territory together with a list of some main attractions and food specialties. It will give you an idea of the sort of food to expect and more important, which delicious specialties not to miss out on! Tasting the different foods of each region is a unique and pleasant way of experiencing Canadian culture.

Provinces

Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon