Canada is the world's second-largest country, and perhaps because of its varied geography and rich culture it is an inexhaustible realm of beautiful scenery and fascinating encounters with multi-facetted locals. It ranges from glaciers to hot springs, from mighty mountains to flat prairies, from softwood and hardwood to rainforests - all of this is brimming in Canada. The 30 million inhabitants are likewise an inexhaustible mixture of contrasts. About two per cent of the inhabitants are descendants of Native 'Indians' and Eskimos, whilst the rest of the population are descendants of the British, French, Chinese, Italian, German, Ukrainian, Polish, Portuguese and Spanish settlers.
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Region and City Guides
Region:
City:
Facts
Local name
Canada
Capital
Ottawa (326,842)
Size
9,958,319 sq km
Principal Languages
English and French
Principal Religion
Christianity
Inhabitants
31,281,092
Government
Constitutional Monarchy
Geography
Surpassed only by Russia in square kilometres, Canada's 10 million sq km includes hot springs and glaciers, great mountains and flat prairies, temperate rainforest and endless hardwoods and softwoods, deserts and tundra. In addition to this Canada holds one tenth of the world's freshwater supply, shared out over so many lakes that they have never managed to count them all.
Travel preparation
Best time to visit
Spring, summer and autumn are the best seasons to visit Canada, but if you want to go skiing, you should go in the winter or during early spring. For camping in the northern parts of the country the best months are July and August. The high season for tourism is from mid-June until mid-September, and some facilities may be closed out of season.
Literature
Berlitz guide Canada
Local conditions
Weight and Measures
Weight: kilogram
Length: metre
Volume: litre
Some older people still use old imperial standards.
Length: metre
Volume: litre
Some older people still use old imperial standards.
Photography
Most Canadians are very friendly which means you can snap away, but be considerate and ask for their permission when photographing different ethnic groups.
Drinking water
The tap water is amongst the purest in the world.
Electricity
110 volts AC, 60Hz
Behaviour
Generally speaking Canadians are very open and friendly, but you have to keep in mind that it is a multi-cultural society and each ethnic group has its own customs and traditions. The best advice is to be considerate and friendly.
Business Hours
Opening hours vary a great deal.
Shops are usually open 9.00 to 16.00 (Monday to Friday), many shops are also open until late during one or two weekdays, and most shops are open Saturday. A few shops are open Sundays, and a few are open 24-hours a day.
Banks are open 10.00 to 15.00 (Monday to Friday), some are open longer on weekdays and some are open a few hours on Saturdays.
Shops are usually open 9.00 to 16.00 (Monday to Friday), many shops are also open until late during one or two weekdays, and most shops are open Saturday. A few shops are open Sundays, and a few are open 24-hours a day.
Banks are open 10.00 to 15.00 (Monday to Friday), some are open longer on weekdays and some are open a few hours on Saturdays.
Food and drink
Canadian cuisine is highly varied because of the many ethnic groups and you can sample food from all corners of the world. Fish is a speciality of the Maritime Provinces, and the inhabitants of Quebec specialise in cabbage and pea soups (it is very French-inspired). Vegetarian meals are easy to find in the cities, but can be harder to track down in the northern territories.
Disabled travellers
The facilities for the disabled are excellent in Canada. Vancouver has been nominated the world's most disability-friendly city, and the rest of the country is also widely equipped with lifts, ramps, disabled-toilets etc. Wheelchairs can also be used on the wide trails in the wilderness.
Holidays
New Year's Day, 1 January
Canada Day, 1 July
Remembrance Day, 11 November
Christmas, 25 and 26 December
Shifting holidays
Good Friday, March or April
Easter Monday, March or April
Victoria Day, the Monday before 25 May
Labour Day, 1st Monday in September
Thanksgiving Day, 2nd Monday in October
Canada Day, 1 July
Remembrance Day, 11 November
Christmas, 25 and 26 December
Shifting holidays
Good Friday, March or April
Easter Monday, March or April
Victoria Day, the Monday before 25 May
Labour Day, 1st Monday in September
Thanksgiving Day, 2nd Monday in October
Accommodation / Hotel
Many American tourists come to Canada during the summer, so you should remember to book in advance at one of the many hotels, camping sites and inns. Overnight accommodation isn't sparse in the densely populated areas, but this can be the case in the more remote regions.
Book your Hotel in Canada here
Book your Hotel in Canada here
Camping
There are approximately 2,000 camping sites scattered all across Canada, and some of them are very well-equipped, perhpas even luxurious - whilst others invite the more basic out-door life. Most camping sites can only offer a few days stay during the high season, because space is in great demand.
There are many hotels in the Canadian cities, and you should consider getting a room with air-conditioning during the summer, as well as checking out various discounts.
Bed og breakfast or guesthouse
If you like B&B in familiar surroundings then you are in luck in Canada. You can also find larger guest-houses in most major cities.
Hostels
You should book a room in one the country's 70 hostels before even leaving home. Most of the hostels are situated in the Rocky Mountains, while there are practically none in the Maritime Provinces.
Other Accommodation
Alternative accomodation includes university dorms, house exchanges with a Canadian family, and Farm holidays - and you can also rent a motor-homes of all sizes.
Local transport
Travelling by land is more interesting and much cheaper than travelling by air in Canada. The railroad is incomplete, but there are ample opportunities to take a bus. One of the best ways to experience this country is by car, which of course gives you a high degree of freedom.
Planes
If you haven't much time, and want to experience the great geographical contrasts, flying between the 160 airports is the only way to do it. Air Canada and Canadian Airlines offer domestic Flights.
Bus
The Canadian bus system is very extensive, cheap and in some places the only way to get around. Greyhound and Voyaguer-Colonial cover most of the country.
Trains
The VIA-Rail trains, operating between 405 stations spread out over most of the country, have excellent service and great food. The Rocky Mountaineer Railtours offers some spectacular rail tours in the Rocky Mountains.
Taxi
You can easily get a taxi in all major Canadian cities.
car rental
You have to be 21 years old to rent a Canadian car, which can be everything from a luxury car to a motor-home - or even a actual deathtrap, so beware.
Boat or Ferry
With Canada's many lakes and rivers, there are also a great number of ferry companies
Other Transport
It may take some time to get a ride if you are hitch-hiking, but on the other hand that one ride will often take you hundreds of kilometres away from where you start. Always hitchhike in pairs. Bikes can be rented in several places, and cycle tracks and paths do keep on expanding.
Special conditions
Canada is bear-country in many places, so you should always comply with the safety rules when visiting a place where bear attacks are known to happen. It can be deadly to be in the Northern Territories without a guide and the proper precautions.
Region and City Guides
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