Canada is a magnificent country known for its amazing natural beauty, extraordinarily polite citizens, and cold winters. But despite its notoriety, “The Great White North” has a lot of unique features that many people don’t know about. One of the top travel destinations in the globe, Canada draws tourists looking for life-changing adventures. This collection of Canada’s mind-blowing facts is likely to enlighten you with new insights. Whether you’re already familiar with this nation or have it planned as the next destination on your trip wish list.
Canada’s mind-blowing facts most people don’t know
Compared to the European Union, Canada is bigger
Ever been to a foreign country and met Kimberly from Vancouver or Theo from Montreal when you mentioned you were Canadian? Our nation’s landmass can often be hard to comprehend if you’ve never seen it firsthand. Consider these amusing facts to help put Canada’s size into perspective: It is almost the same size as 81,975 Walt Disney Worlds combined. Over 30% larger than Australia, five times larger than Mexico, three times larger than India. And over five times larger than Australia, it is 50 times the size of the entire European Union (33 times the size of Italy and 15 times the size of France). Therefore, you have no idea who Theo or Kimberly are.
As cold as Mars, Canada has recorded its lowest temperature
Winters in Canada can be quite chilly, which is nothing new for anyone who has had to remove their car from an ice block first thing in the morning. Ottawa typically experiences a low temperature of -14.4 C (6.1 F) in January. What a chilly day! Canada’s coldest temperatures were recorded in Snag, Yukon, in 1947, making the rest of the country’s winters seem balmy. It was -63 degrees Celsius (-81.4 degrees Fahrenheit) in the tiny settlement of Snag on February 3, 1947. Mars’ surface has a similar temperature!
The world’s largest number of lakes can be found here
There are many lovely things to be found in Canada, like hockey players, parkas, and Tim Hortons locations. But the fact that it is the country with the highest amount of land covered by lakes on Earth is one of its most fascinating features. This fact is really amazing! Amazingly, there are 563 lakes larger than 100 square kilometers in the Great White North. The country’s magnificent landscape and abundant water resources are a result of the Great Lakes. It together contain nearly 21% of the fresh lake water on the earth.
The longest coastline in the world is found in Canada
It would take nearly four and a half years to walk the whole length of Canada’s coastline if you didn’t stop for food, rest for your feet, or even sleep. Unexpectedly, Canada claims the distinction of having the longest coastline in the world. Despite the fact that it may not immediately conjure images of turquoise oceans and white beaches. The nation’s coastline is infinite, surrounded on three sides by the Atlantic, Arctic, and Pacific oceans. Out of the 356,000 kilometers of oceanfront land in the world, Canada’s coastline measures an incredible 202,080 kilometers, putting this amazing number into context. Indonesia is the only other nation with a coastline longer than this, at 54,716 kilometers.
There are 10 percent of the world’s forests in Canada
One of the most well-known facts about Canada is that we have a lot of trees, but did you know that Canada accounts for 10% of the world’s total forest cover and 28% of the boreal forest as well? 68 percent of the forest area is coniferous, making up 362-million hectares of total forest cover. What’s finest of all? Our forestland is primarily held by the government.
North America’s only walled city is in Canada
Due to the presence of walls, Quebec City stands out among other Canadian (and American) cities. Among the most astounding things about Canada is that only Quebec City has fortified walls north of Mexico. The fortifications of Quebec City were built by the French and then by the English during the 17th and 19th centuries. World Heritage Site status was awarded to Quebec’s entire historic district, including the walls, by UNESCO in 1992.
Canada has the third-largest recoverable oil reserves in the world
An estimated 166.3 billion recoverable barrels of crude bitumen, a thick and viscous semi-solid petroleum source, are in Canada’s reserves. Canada is ranked third internationally in terms of proved reserves thanks to these vast deposits, only after Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. Notably, 10.3% of the world’s total oil reserves come from Canada’s oil sands.
The national parks of Canada are larger than those of most other countries
In spite of Canada’s size, our parks are massive compared to those of other countries. Check out the impressive 30,050 square kilometers of the Nahanni National Park Reserve in the Northwest Territories (above) – it’s bigger than Albania and Israel combined. Located in Alberta and the Northwest Territories, Wood Buffalo National Park covers 44,807 square kilometers. The same area as Denmark and Switzerland combined.
The northernmost city in the world is Alert, Nunavut
Alert, Nunavut, is the northernmost permanently inhabited location in the world and is situated on the northernmost tip of Ellesmere Island, just 817 kilometers from the North Pole. Alert doesn’t have a mall or a movie theater, but it does house military and scientific workers who are working in the area temporarily. Once you realize how bitterly cold it is here, the phrase “temporary home” makes sense. The average temperature varies from a chilly 3.4°C (38.1°F) in July, the warmest month, to a freezing -32.19°C (-26°F) in January, the coldest month.
Conclusion
The astounding facts about Canada reveal a country full of amazing wonders, like its enormous lakes, longest coastline. And an abundance of resources like crude bitumen. Beyond its stunning scenery, its people’s friendliness and cultural diversity only serve to increase its attractiveness. Moreover, these amazing facts arouse amazement and a respect for Canada’s magnificence by reminding us of the countless wonders our earth has to offer.
