ABOUT CANADA

Canada, the second-largest country in the world by land area, spans approximately 9.98 million square kilometres. It has a population of around 38 million people, with Ottawa as its capital and Toronto as its largest city.

Geographically diverse, Canada features the Rocky Mountains, vast prairies, and extensive coastlines along the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic Oceans. It boasts the longest coastline of any country, stretching over 202,080 kilometres. The country is rich in natural resources, including timber, minerals, and freshwater, with the Great Lakes holding about 18% of the world's fresh surface water.

Canada's climate varies widely, from arctic conditions in the north to temperate weather in the south. It has ten provinces and three territories, each with its own unique landscapes and cultures. The official languages are English and French, reflecting its colonial history and cultural diversity. The country is known for its high standard of living, excellent healthcare system, and robust education sector, consistently ranking high in global quality-of-life indices. Canada's economy is the tenth largest globally, driven by natural resources, manufacturing, and technology.

Entry into Canada

To enter or transit through Canada, most travellers need a valid visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), much like the USA's entry requirements. To visit Canada without a visa, you must meet the following criteria:

• Be a citizen of a visa-exempt country.
• Have the necessary travel and identification documents for yourself and any children travelling with you.
• Possess a valid eTA.

For comprehensive details on entry requirements, travel and identification documents, eTAs, and visas, visit the Government of Canada's official website.

You can check your entry requirements here.

Passport Validity
Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay: Although Canada does not enforce a 6-month passport validity rule, you cannot travel with an expired passport.

Currency

Canada's official currency is the Canadian Dollar (CAD), abbreviated as "$" or "C$" to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies.

One Canadian Dollar is divided into 100 cents. The currency includes coins such as nickel (5 cents), dime (10 cents), quarter (25 cents), loonie (1 dollar), and toonie (2 dollars). Banknotes are available in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 dollars.

Canadian banknotes are known for their vibrant colours and unique designs, featuring prominent Canadian historical figures and landmarks. Currency can be exchanged at banks, exchange bureaus, and airports, and ATMs are widely available. Major credit cards are commonly accepted throughout the country.

Tipping in Canada is customary for service industries, typically ranging from 15% to 20% of the total bill.

The exchange rate between the Canadian Dollar and the US Dollar (USD) fluctuates, but generally, 1 CAD is worth less than 1 USD. For the most current exchange rates, consult financial news sources (Bloomberg, for example) or use currency conversion websites and apps.

Electricity

In Canada, power sockets (outlets) are of type A and B, similar to those in the United States. To use type A sockets in Canada, you will need a power plug adapter. While type B sockets can accommodate your plugs, they might not always be readily available. It's advisable to bring a 3-to-2 prong adapter to ensure your type B plugs can fit into type A sockets.

Mobile services

In Canada, several major mobile service operators provide a range of services. The primary ones are:

Bell Mobility
Offers extensive coverage and a variety of plans, including prepaid and postpaid options.

Rogers Wireless
Known for its nationwide coverage and diverse plan offerings, including family plans and data-centric options.

Telus Mobility
Provides extensive coverage and a variety of plans, focusing on customer service and network reliability.

However, if you're not local and need mobile data, we recommend apps like Airalo (more details here).

Important telephone numbers

There are several important phone numbers in Quebec, and Montreal that residents and visitors should know for emergencies and basic services. Here are some of the most important ones:

Canada's country code: +1.
Emergency Services (Police, Fire, Ambulance): 911
Non-Emergency Police: 514-280-2222
Health Information Line (Info-Santé): 811
Montreal General Hospital: 514-934-1934

Taxi Services:
Taxi Diamond: 514-273-6331
Taxi Champlain: 514-273-2435

Interesting facts about Canada

There are several interesting facts about Canada, here are some of them:

Vast Size
Canada is the world's second-largest country, spanning around 9.98 million square kilometres (3.85 million square miles).

Bilingual Nation
English and French are Canada's official languages. Roughly 75% of the population speaks English, while 23% are French speakers, primarily in Quebec.

Cultural Diversity
Canada is renowned for its multicultural population. Over 20% of Canadians are immigrants, and the country embraces a variety of religions with no official state religion.

Protected Lands
Canada boasts over 40 national parks and numerous provincial parks, safeguarding more than 10% of its territory. Banff National Park, established in 1885, is the nation's oldest.

Extensive Coastline
With a coastline stretching over 202,080 kilometres (125,187 miles), Canada has the longest coastline in the world, touching the Arctic, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans.

Iconic Niagara Falls
Straddling the border between Ontario and New York, Niagara Falls is one of the most renowned waterfalls globally, drawing millions of visitors annually.

Maple Syrup Leader
Canada produces about 71% of the world's pure maple syrup, with Quebec being the largest producer. The maple leaf is a national symbol.

Rich Wildlife
The country is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including the Canadian lynx, polar bears, moose, and the beaver, which is a national emblem.

Aurora Borealis
The Northern Lights can be witnessed in Canada’s northern regions, particularly in the Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.

Vibrant Festivals
Canada hosts major cultural events such as the Calgary Stampede, Toronto International Film Festival, and Montreal Jazz Festival, which are internationally celebrated.

Top-Tier Education
Canada's education system is highly esteemed, with universities like the University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, and McGill University ranking among the best globally.

Inuit Heritage
The Inuit people of Canada’s Arctic regions have a rich cultural legacy, known for their traditional carvings, throat singing, and storytelling.

Abundant Resources
Rich in natural resources, Canada has extensive forests, minerals, and a significant portion of the world’s freshwater supply, much of it in the Great Lakes.

Ice Hockey Passion
Ice hockey is the national winter sport, and Canada has produced many legendary players, including Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Sidney Crosby.

Universal Healthcare
Canada’s healthcare system, known as Medicare, provides universal health coverage to all citizens and permanent residents.