About Canada

Facts About Canada - Page Two

Political System
Canada is a constitutional monarchy and a federal state with a democratic parliament. The Parliament of Canada, in Ottawa, consists of the House of Commons, whose members are elected, and the Senate, whose members are appointed. On average, members of Parliament are elected every four years.

National Emblem
The maple leaf has been associated with Canada since the 1700s. It has become the country's most important symbol since the national flag was introduced in 1965.

National Anthem
O Canada was proclaimed the national anthem on July 1, 1980, a century after being sung for the first time.

Currency
The Canadian dollar is divided into 100 cents.

Population
At the time of the June 1996 census, Canada's population was 29.7 million. This represents an increase of 1.5 million, or 5.7% since the June 1991 census. This growth in population has been attributed, in equal degree, to both immigration and natural increase (births minus deaths). Between 1991 and 1996, the population of Canada grew at an average annual rate of 1.1%, this being the highest annual average growth rate of all G-7 industrialized nations. Canada represents approximately 0.5% of the global population.

Main Cities
According to the 1996 census, the leading Canadian cities are Toronto (4.26 million), Montreal (3.33 million), Vancouver (1.83 million), Ottawa-Hull, the National Capital Region (1.01million) and Edmonton (0.86 million).

Urban and Rural Population
The majority of Canadians, 76.6 percent, live in cities and towns, while 23.4 percent live in rural areas. According to the 1991 census, 31 percent of the population (8.61 million people) live in the three largest cities of Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.

Life Expectancy
Canadians' life expectancy at birth is 74.9 years for males and 81.2 years for females. This ranks among the world's longest.

Family Size
At the time of the 1996 national census, the average family size was 3.1 persons, including 1.3 children. Family size has remained unchanged since the 1991 census.

More about Canada ...>>>