Canada Unrevealed for First-Time Travelers

After Russia, Canada is the second largest country in the world. The vast country is full of picturesque beauties. If you are a nature lover, you would be happy to know that this North American country has plenty to offer – starting from rocky mountains, fierce rivers, grand falls, and national parks. 

Canada is also famous for its multicultural vibe, the country is welcoming to people from all cultures and regions. Canada even has two official languages – English and French. The reason behind is that Canada was ruled by both the British and the French; therefore they have quite a unique and rich culture.

A country enriched by valuable minerals and an advanced economy, Canada is one of the richest countries in the world. In the world happiness index, Canadians hold the 10^th place, leaving behind its more influential peer –  the United States.

Now that we have had some basic ideas let’s have a look at the amenities offered by Canada. 

Canada Is The Melting Pot For Different Language Speakers

Besides the two official languages mentioned previously, Canadians use more than 65 languages and dialects, which are distributed among 12 different indigenous language groups. Ojibway, Cree, and Inuktitut, are some honorable mentions.  

Canada today is referred to as the first choice for hard-working migrants who are willing to make a better living there. As a result, this country is home to around 6.8 million people who speak a language other than French and / or English as their first language.

A Diverse And Convenient Transportation System

Vancouver boasts one of the best transportations systems in the developed world. There are many mediums of transportations available to visit throughout Canada. Surprisingly, flying is relatively the cheapest form of transportation to go from one corner to another of this colossal country. “Air hitchhike” is a term that Canadians are quite familiar with. 

You can however also opt for other state-of-the-art transportation systems like:

• Bus.
• Rental cars.
• Train – it could be expensive though.
• Rental RV, an ideal choice for road trips.

Major Cities

1. Toronto: Toronto is the premier cultural and financial stronghold of Canada. It’s also the country’s largest city. Often referred to as “the New York of Canada”, it’s a true cosmopolitan with a population of around 6 million.

When in Toronto, don’t forget to visit the world famous CN Tower, where Resident Evil: Apocalypse was filmed. 

2. Montreal: This city is also known as the “French heartland of Canada” or “the Paris of Canada”. The mainly French speaking region is the place to go and enjoy some scenic views that are nowhere to be seen. A stroll around the famous clock tower at Quai de l’Horloge will mesmerize you for sure.  

3. Ottawa: The 4^th largest city in Canada, Ottawa is also its capital. There, you can easily communicate with people either in English or in French. The city is famous as a high-tech startup hub not only in Canada, but also in North America. 

4. Calgary: The city serves as the entry point to the famous Banff National Park. The city is home to the highest number of millionaires per capita in Canada. It also hosts Canada’s third-largest Chinatown.  

Major Points of Attraction

• Niagara Falls: Canada and Niagara Falls are almost synonymous. Every year millions of tourists visit this waterfall located between the Canada-U.S. border to have a look at this natural wonder of the world. 
  
• Northern Lights: As a country located in the Arctic Circle, Canada is one of those regions where the Aurora Borealis can be seen. Yukon, Northern Territories, and Nunavut are the places ideal for those who want to have a glimpse of the famous Northern Lights.  

• Banff National Park: Spread over an area of 6,641 sq km, it is the country’s first national park. The park offers a wide range of attractions for its visitors. Hikling, gondola ride, and hot spring exploration are to name a few. The park is also a popular destination for skiing and snowboarding. 

• Dinosaur Provincial Park: Are you a big fan of Jurassic Park movies? If the answer is ‘yes’, you must pay a visit to Dinosaur Provincial Park located in Southeastern Alberta.
  
  This place hosts no less than 500 fossils of different species; of which, over 50 are dinosaur species who roamed that part of Canada about 75 million years ago!

Health and Safety Standards

Canada as a country has never been prone to violent crimes. Indeed, it is one of the safest countries for tourists. However, following some basic safety measures to save yourself from pickpocketing or petty crimes would not be a bad idea. 

During the summer, Canada often faces the risk of wildfire; while blizzards are common during the winter. With extreme weather conditions, diseases like measles and diphtheria are not so uncommon. To be on the safe side, you should consider buying travel insurance before visiting.  

Weather

Since Canada is so big and geographically diverse, there is no one way to point out a single temperature outline for this beautiful country. However, in general, owing to its close proximity to the Arctic it is exposed to cold weather. 

Most of Canada’s urban hubs are located in the periphery of the United States; so during the summer the temperature may hit as much as 95°F.

Foods and Delicacies

Contrary to the popular belief, Canadian cuisines have more to offer than poutine. Butter tarts, Beaver tails, Halifax donairs, and Fiddleheads, are some of the menus worth trying when in the country of Maple Leafs. 

Canada is also prominent for cider breweries and a range of local beers. 

Festivals of Canada

Canadians simply love festivals and they wait around the year to find some activities to rejoice life. Be it the Canadian Tulip Festival or Ontario’s Stratford Theatre Festival, you will find it entertaining. The Toronto International Film Festival held annually is one of the most prestigious events in the world. 

Canadian People and Culture

The country of Maple leaf and its people are warm and welcoming; however, there is no harm done to abide by some unofficial norms typical to this wonderful land. Canadians are polite, soft-spoken, and sweet; so they obviously don’t like bragging, unnecessary confrontation, and hot headedness. 

You should also refrain from getting involved in political debates like the Quebec independence movement and the Indigenous Canadian issues. 

Lastly, never ever make the mistake of mixing Canada with America. Although they have many things in common, Canada is entirely a different story. 

Travel Requirements

If your country is eligible for visa-free entry in Canada, you will need an ETA before flying to Canada. However, no such restrictions are available when it comes to entrance through land or sea ports.

Also, don’t forget to bring your passport with you!

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^[2]https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-03/cifa-cr7031418.php

^[3]https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2011/as-sa/98-314-x/98-314-x2011001-eng.cfm

^[4]https://theworldtravelblog.com/cities-with-the-best-public-transportation-in-the-world/

^[5]https://populationstat.com/canada/toronto

^[6]https://torontostoreys.com/famous-hollywood-movies-filmed-toronto/

^[7]https://frenchly.us/why-its-easier-to-speak-french-in-montreal-than-it-is-in-paris/

^[8]https://www.marriottonthefalls.com/blog/2016/01/20/niagara-falls-8th-wonder-world/

^[9]https://www.frobisherinn.com/aurora-borealis.htm

^[10]https://www.tripsavvy.com/guide-to-weather-in-canada-1481748

^[11]https://blog.musement.com/us/international-film-festivals-across-the-globe/