About Canada...
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About Canada
Canada is the second largest country by area in the world (after Russia) and the largest in North America. Its only land border is with the United States, and remains the longest land border in the world. Canada is also a major tourist destination, and is one of the world's wealthiest countries. The country is renowned worldwide for its vast, untouched landscape and its unique culture. English and French are the two official languages in Canada.
Backpacker Hostel Accommodation & Hotels in Canada
In Canada there is a number of Backpacker Hostels and Hotels where we can pre - book your accommodation. If you are looking for a budget hostel bed the click here or if you are looking for more luxurious accommodation then click here.
Security in Canada
Canada is a very safe place to travel with 1,000's of visitors touring through every year. This is a popular destination for sailing enthusiasts, sunlovers, families and backpackers. To check any foreign office information on Canada you can click here.
Discounted Travel Insurance
Adventure Travel offers a range of Backpacker Insurance policies at heavily discounted rates. We understand that you are on a budget and prefer to save your money to backpack around the world.
Canada is a land of vast distances and rich natural beauty.
Regions of Canada Canada is divided into 10 provinces:
- British Columbia - western-most provinces famed for its natural beauty
- Alberta - prairie province
- Saskatchewan - prairie province
- Manitoba - is a prairie province
- Ontario - east central province
- Quebec - French-speaking province
- New Brunswick - Maritime province
- Nova Scotia - Maritime province
- Prince Edward Island - Maritime province
- Newfoundland and Labrador - 10th province to join the confederation
And 3 territories:
- Yukon
- Northwest Territories
- Nunavut
History of Canada
Europeans first arrived when the Vikings settled briefly at L'Anse aux Meadows circa AD 1000. The next Europeans to explore Canada's Atlantic coast included John Cabot in 1497 for England and Jacques Cartier in 1534 for France. French explorer Samuel de Champlain arrived in 1603 and established the first permanent European settlements at Port Royal in 1605 and Quebec City in 1608. These would become respectively the capitals of Acadia and Canada. Following several constitutional conferences, the British North America Act brought about Confederation creating "one Dominion under the name of Canada" on July 1, 1867 with four provinces: Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick. Canada automatically entered the First World War in 1914 with Britain's declaration of war, sending volunteers to the Western Front. The Conscription Crisis of 1917 erupted when conservative Prime Minister Robert Borden brought in compulsory military service over the objection of French-speaking Quebecers. In 1919, Canada joined the League of Nations independently of Britain; in 1931 the Statute of Westminster affirmed Canada's independence.
The Great Depression of 1929 brought economic hardship to all of Canada. Canada declared war on Germany independently during World War II under Liberal Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King, three days after Britain. The first Canadian Army units arrived in Britain in December 1939. Canadian troops played important roles in the Battle of the Atlantic, the failed 1941 Dieppe Raid in France, the Allied invasion of Italy, the Battle of the Scheldt during the liberation of the Netherlands in 1944. By 1949, Canada had 10 provinces and 3 territories. Under successive Liberal governments of Lester B. Pearson and Pierre Trudeau, a new Canadian identity emerged. Canada adopted its current Maple Leaf Flag in 1965.
Travel to Canada
Although the citizens of many countries are exempt, you may need a Temporary Resident Visa to enter the country. Please check with your Canadian Consulate prior to arrival in Canada - By plane - International airports: Montreal, Toronto or Vancouver.
- By land - Enter the country by road (car/coach) from the United States through one of the hundreds of border crossing points. Drivers of American cars will need a certificate confirming that they carry enough public liability insurance to meet the requirements of all Canadian provinces and territories.
- By boat - In British Columbia, you can enter Canada by ferry from Alaska and Washington. There is a car ferry from Nova Scotia to Maine and there is a passenger ferry running from Fortune in Newfoundland to Saint Pierre and Miquelon.
Getting around Canada
Canada is large - the second largest country in the world after Russia. This means that you will need several days to appreciate even a part of the country.
- By plane - The best way to get around the country is by air.
- By bus - You can also travel between most cities in Canada, small and large, by bus.
- By car - Car/Motorhome/Campervan rental is an option. Although somewhat expensive if you are travelling alone, this can be an economically reasonable alternative if you are sharing the costs with others. Be aware of the high surcharges associated with dropping off the car at a different location than where it was picked up. Canadians drive on the right-hand side of the road.
- By train - Passenger rail service in Canada, although very safe and comfortable, is often an expensive and inconvenient alternative to other types of transport.
Currency in Canada
The country's currency is called the Canadian dollar (CAD). Credit cards are widely accepted, with Visa and MasterCard being accepted in most places. ATM usage in Canada is very high.
Taxes: When purchasing goods in Canada, be aware that the prices displayed are usually without tax; taxes will be added on top of this displayed price. Travellers from outside of Canada can qualify for a GST rebate for their accommodations and certain goods they buy in Canada. Only purchases over $50 are covered. Receipts must be kept and you are required to obtain "Proof of Export" for qualifying goods. Things to see and do in Canada - Alberta - Calgary Stampede, Banff National Park, Jasper National Park, Edmonton Fringe Festival
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British Columbia - Glacier National Park with its mountains, glaciers and lakes, ancient temperate rainforest, pristine wilderness, and skiing and hiking
- Manitoba - Winnipeg Folk Music Festival, sleepy farm towns
- New Brunswick - Hopewell Rocks, Magic Mountain Water Park, Fundy National Park
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Ontario - Niagara wine region, the immense Boreal and Taiga forests, Ottawa - the capital, the Great Lakes coastal areas -
Prince Edward Island - pastoral scenery and lush agricultural lands, and is the "Birthplace of Confederation", referring to the Charlottetown Conference in 1864. - Quebec - Montreal: the cosmopolitan heart of Quebec
Festivals in Canada
Canada is a country with a rich cultural heritage. In Canada, festivals and events are held annually to celebrate the multicultural landscape of this great nation. Each festival represents a single cultural facet belonging to the diverse population of Canada. These festivals are easily identified by season.
Spring:
- April and May mark the beginning of Canadian music festival season.
- Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories celebrates spring with the Cariblues Festival
- Halifax showcases chamber music with the Scotia Festival of Music
- Ottawa highlights concerts, flowers and history at the Canadian Tulip Festival.
- The Annual Saskatchewan International Film Festival for Young People.
Summer:
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June 21 to July 1 marks 10 days of celebrations in Canada. The festivities begin on June 21 with National Aboriginal Day and celebrations across the country continue on June 24 with Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day, in honour of the patron saint of French Canadians, on June 27 with Canadian Multiculturalism Day, and culminate with Canada Day with parties everywhere on July 1st. In addition, there are many musical and cultural summer festivals taking place across the country: - Yellowknife's Summer Solstice Festival
- Calgary's Reggaefest
- Calgary Stampede
- Winnipeg's Folklorama
- Montreal's Jazz and Comedy festivals
- Jazz and Blues Festival in Charlottetown
Autumn:
- The autumn is traditionally a time for literary festivals and film festivals.
Winter:
- Canada's world-famous winter festivals take place in late January and February including Carnaval de Québec in Quebec City and Winterlude/Bal de neige in Ottawa and Gatineau.
- Winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding are practiced and enjoyed regularly during the winter. British Columbia is home to many of the world's top ski resorts, including Whistler.
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