Important dates

about AD 1000

Vikings explored the coast of Canada.

1497

John Cabot became the first European explorer to visit Canada.

1534

France occupied Canada

1604

French colonists founded the first settlement in Canada.

1670

The British established their first settlement in Canada.

1791

Britain and France divided Canada into French-speaking and English-speaking provinces

1931

Canada achieved complete independence from France.

1999

Nunavut is established – the new Canadian province that serves as a homeland for the Inuit people

The national symbol of Canada is beaver- after the first European explorers had realized that Canada was not as rich as many Orient countries, the main commercial attraction was the beaver. In the late 1600s and early 1700s, the fashion of the day demanded fur hats that needed beaver pelts. As these hats became more popular, the demand for the pelts grew.

National holiday – Canada Day on July 1

The national anthem is “Oh, Canada”, it is sung in English and French

F lag

The maple leaf is a national symbol of Canada. The red commemorates the blood shed by Canadians during World War I, and the white represents snow. The flag is flown on many occasions including the Canada Day. The British flag is also flown along with the national flag at federal buildings, airports and military bases. Both flags (Canadian and British) are flown on the Queen’s birthday (April 21)

Red and white are Canada’s official colours.

Canada is the second largest country in the world after Russia, and the largest country in the Western Hemisphere. 6 time zones lie within the country's borders. Canada's territory is diverse: mountains in the West, plains and hills in the East, its territory also contains prairies, sand dunes, forests, tundra, mountains occupy 40 per cent of the land. Forests cover half of Canada's area. With its vast Arctic territories Canada is often considered the country of far north. That is why it is poetically called "Our Lady of The Snows".

The scenic wonders of Canada draw large numbers of tourists. In the spring, cultural festivals flourish across Canada, especially in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia and the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia. Alberta’s Calgary Exhibition and Stampede in July is world-famous. The Niagara Grape and Wine Festival are among the other attractions. In the winter the abundant snowfall has been exploited; skiing centres are expanding. About 730,000 sq km of scenic areas have been preserved in the natural state for use as national parks, such as the world-famous Jasper and Banff national parks. Banff receives more than 4 million visitors annually.

Tourism has become one of the leading industries of Canada. The country is visited by some 36 million tourists annually, of whom about 91 per cent came from the United States.

Canada is divided into 11 provinces and 2 territories:

Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Nunavut and Yukon Territory, Northwest Territory.

Questions:

1. When did the first Europeans visit Canada? 2. Why does Canada have 2 official languages? 3. What animal is the official symbol of Canada? 4. What poetical name does Canada have? 5. How many provinces is Canada divided into?

Canadian province	Origins of the name
Alberta	Named after Princes Alberta – a daughter of Queen Victoria
British Columbia	Named after the Columbia River
Manitoba	The name was taken from Lake Manitoba
New Brunswick	Named after the Duke of Brunswick – Queen Victoria’s nephew
Newfoundland	Means “the land that has been just found”
Nova Scotia	Means “New Scotland” in Latin, the name was used by the immigrants from Scotland
Ontario	Means “beautiful place” in a Native American language
Prince Edward Island	Named after Prince Edward – a son of King George III
Quebec	Means “a place where a narrow river flows” in a Native American language
Saskatchewan	Named after River Saskatchewan
Nunavut	Means “our land” in the Inuit language

So, you want to travel to Canada:

1. American citizens do not need a passport or visa to visit Canada. The citizens of the UK should carry national passport. Visitors from all other countries must have visa.

2. The currency of Canada is Canadian dollar (Can$). Many shops accept American dollars. It is rather difficult to exchange currencies in Canada. Not all banks exchange foreign currencies. You should convert your national currency into Canadian (or American) dollars before you leave home.

Banff National Park, in south-western Alberta. Canada, was established in 1885. Lo­cated on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains, it is famous for its spectacular mountain scenery. It is the oldest national park in Canada.

It originally comprised an area 26 sq km in extent, around hot springs that had been discovered in 1883. The Canadian government declared the area a public land reserve. In 1887, the park was expanded to take in a total area of 6,640 sq km.

As well as hot springs the park contains glaciers and many glacial lakes, densely for­ested valleys and meadows. The park's abundant wildlife includes puma, black and grizzly bears, moose, and mountain goat. There are 20 camping sites and 1.300 km of hiking routes and trails that can be used for cross-country skiing in winter. Canoeing and water sports are also popular leisure activities.

The city of Ottawa which is in the province of Ontario is the capital of Canada. Its parliament building, seen here in the foreground, is an example of High Gothic style. Ottawa is a centre for tourism, manufacturing, and transport.

Ottawa- the capital of Canada

is located on the Redeau river, in the province of Ontario. Ottawa is divided by the Rideau Canal into the Upper and the Lower towns. Population is 300,000 but it in­cludes the Ottawa metropolitan area with a population of over 1 million. It is the ad­ministrative centre of the country and a commercial and manufacturing base. There is a large tourist in­dustry, bringing in about 4 million visitors annually. In the 1970s the Ottawa area be­came a major centre for the production of electronic and communications equipment.

The city is served by railways, Ottawa International Airport. The Rideau Canal connects Ottawa to Lake Ontario.

A cosmopolitan city of great beauty. Ottawa contains large parks, impressive public buildings, and wide streets. Ottawa’s features include: National Gallery of Canada, founded in 1913. which contains a collection of Canadian, Asian, and European art; the Canadian War Museum, with displays depicting the country's military history; the Canadian Museum of Nature; the National Museum of Science and Technology, with a section housing one of the world's foremost aeronautical collections; the Canadian Ski Museum; and the Bytown Museum, which contains archives relating to the histo­ry of Ottawa. Ottawa is a picturesque capital. Parliament sits in three beautiful parlia­ment buildings on Parliament Hill. The Parliament buildings consist of the Central, East and West blocks. The Central Gothic-style block contains the Senate and the House of Commons. People can watch Change of the Guard ceremony every summer day. North of Parliament Hill is Rockliffe Park, where there is Rideau Hall ( built in 1838), the official residence of the gover­nor-general of Canada. Other points of interest: the National Arts Centre, a perform­ing-arts complex opened in 1969; the Garden of the Provinces. Throughout the year the Ottawa Ballet, the Great Canadian Theatre Company, and other smaller theatre groups offer many cultural activities. In May the city is the site of a tulip festival with carnival, fireworks and concerts. The Dutch Royal Family spent their exile in Ottawa during World War 2. In the appreciation of the hospitality extended to them, the Dutch Royal Family sends 4 million bulbs of tulip to Canada every year. Every wint­er Ottawa is a place of a 10 day carnival with sporting activities and fireworks. Of special interest is a Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony and Santa Claus Parade.

Tasks:

1. Where will you go in Ottawa if…

-you want to learn more about Canada’s military past

-you want to see the residence of the governor-general

2. What are the origins of the tulip festival?

Vancouver, city in south-west British Columbia. It is a leading Pacific coast seaport and the commercial, manu­facturing, financial, tourist, and cultural centre of the province. The Vancouver area is the third-largest metropolitan area in Canada, after Toronto and Montreal. Principal products include wood and metal items. Vancouver is served by major roads and rail­ways and by an international airport.

Occupying a picturesque site Vancouver is a cos­mopolitan city with numerous large modern buildings. Among the city's many open spaces are Stanley Park, which contains the Vancouver Public Aquarium and a zoo, and Vanier Park, where the Vancouver Museum, with a collection of aboriginal art and artefacts, the Maritime Museum, and the Planetarium are located. The Pacific Coliseum hosts the city's professional ice-hockey team; Other points of interest include the Vancouver Art Gallery, with a collection of predominantly British Columbian and other Canadian art; the Van Dusen Botanical Gardens; Chinatown, containing the largest Chi­nese communities in North America.

Vancouver is the home of the University of British Columbia (site of the im­portant Museum of Anthropology). The city has a symphony orchestra, an ope­ra company, and a number of theatre groups.

Task:

Where will you go in Vancouver if you want…

-visit a zoo; -visit a Planetarium; -see the largest Chinese community in North America; -see a collection of aboriginal art

Winnipeg, city, capital of Manitoba. Canada, on the Red river, in the south-east part of the province. Winnipeg is the commercial, transport centre for a large area. Winnipeg dominates Manitoba's economy, with manufacturing, and tourism. Principal products include processed food, beverages, transport equipment, steel, machinery, clothing. The city is known as a "Gateway to the West" because of its location where the Canadian Shield meets the prairie, is served by railways and roads and by an international airport.

Polar bears thrive on the snow-covered shores of Manitoba. Despite their reputation as wild predators, polar bears have become well adapted to the human presence and provide a popular sight for tourists.

Winnipeg is a cosmopolitan city with a number of beautiful parks and varied cultural facilities; it is the chief cultural centre for the prairie provinces of Manitoba, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. It is the site of the Winnipeg Art Gallery, with a collection of Ca­nadian, Inuit, and European art. The Centennial Centre Complex includes the Manitoba Museum of Man and Nature, with natural history exhibits and a planetari­um; the Concert Hall, home of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet; the Manitoba Theatre Centre; and the Ukrainian Cultural and Edu­cational Centre, with displays of Ukrainian folk art and historical artefacts. The city has opera and modern-dance companies, a zoo. a modern convention centre, and pro­fessional football and ice-hockey teams. Also of interest is the restored area of Old Market Square; Dalnavert, an 1895 building that now houses a muse­um; "The Forks", a park built on the Red river; the Transcona Regional History Museum. The city hosts Folklorama, an annual multi-ethnic event. Ukrainian art fes­tival and a jazz festival every summer. Population 600.000

CULTURE

Canada has 2 official languages: English and French. Most of the French-speaking Canadians live in Quebec. The role of the French in the province of Quebec has been an issue of many conflicts. In 1970 French was proclaimed the language of business in Quebec, the laws banned the use of English. After much debate the laws were chang­ed. Now all signs in Quebec are in two languages: English and French. Most Canad­ians have some ability to speak one of the official languages, but only 5% of the popu­lation are fluently bilingual.

The standard of living in Canada is one of the highest in the world. Violent crime is low compared to the USA. The Canadians enjoy an advanced, efficient health care system that is available free of charge. 63% of Canadians live in their own homes. The most popular type is the 3-bedroom, single-floor home.

Sport has always played an important role in the life of Canadians. Hockey is the na­tional game. Skiing -downhill or cross-country- is very popular. Ordinary Canadians participate in sporting leagues, fitness classes, during winter months the Canadians enjoy skiing, tobogganing.

Famous Canadians include:

Frederick Banting who discovered insulin and its effects on diabetes, Armand Bombardier - the inventor of the snowmobile, James Naismith who invented basketball, comedy star Jim Carrey, actor Keanu Reeves.

Literature:

Michael Ondaatje. born in 1943 in Sri Lanca into a rich family of Dutch origins. In 1954 he moved to the UK where he was educated at DaJwich College, in 1962 he entered the University of Toronto in Canada. He has lived in Canada ever since. He teaches at York University in Toronto. In 1967 he began his career as a wri­ter with the collection of poems "The man with seven toes". His poems were acclaim­ed by critics for surreal vision and unexpected images. His novels combine poetry, prose and fiction. Many critics consider his novel "The English patient" (1992) to be his best work. This book won the Booker Prize (the most prestigious literary prize in the English speaking world). It was made into an Oscar-winning film in 1996.

Alice Munro (b.1931)- Canadian writer of fiction, winner of numerous literary awards. She was born in Ontario and began to write at the age of 15, her first collec­tion of short-stories won the Governor-General's literary award. Munro's second collection "Lives of girls and women" received the Canadian Bookseller Award. In 1977 she won the Canadian Literary prize. All her stories receive favourable reviews. The characters of Munro's books are mostly women and in the centre of many of her books are typical women problems. Her main concern is personal relationships and feelings. Alice Munro is considered by many one of the most distinguished Canadian writers of the 20th c. She is particularly admired by women readers.

Margaret Atwood (b. 1939) is a Canadian poet, novelist, literary critic, essayist, and environmental activist. She is among the most-honoured authors of fiction in recent history; she is a winner of the Arthur C. Clarke Award and Prince of Asturias award for Literature, has been shortlisted for the Booker Prize five times, winning once, and has been a finalist for the Governor General's Award seven times, winning twice.

Born in Ottawa Atwood is the second of three children of Carl Atwood, an entomologist. Due to her father’s ongoing research in forest entomology, Atwood spent much of her childhood in the backwoods of Northern Quebec and she did not attend school full-time until she was in eighth grade. She became a voracious reader of literature, pocketbook mysteries, fairy tales, Canadian animal stories, and comic books.

Atwood began writing at age six and realized she wanted to write professionally when she was 16. In 1957, she began studying at the University of Toronto. She graduated in 1961 with a Bachelor of Arts in English and French.

She often portrayed female characters dominated by patriarchy in her novels. She is the member of the Green Party of Canada.

Her most famous novel is The Blind Assassin – it tells the story of Iris Chase, who, now an old woman, recalls the events and relationships of her childhood, youth and middle age, as well as her unhappy marriage and relationship with various men.

Exercise

Match the names and the events

Michael Ondaatje	first book was published in 1967 is known for poetry with surrealistic vision is loved by women readers wrote “The English patient” writes about relationships and feelings teaches at university began to write at the age of 15 spent some years in the UK were nominated for the Booker Prize 5 times supports the Green Party of Canada
Alice Munro
Margaret Atwood

NUNAVUT

Nunavut covers about 2 million sq km and comprises one-fifth of Canada's land mass. This province is a homeland for the Inuit, the original inhabitants of the region. They make up about 85 per cent of the region's population. Nunavut means “Our Land” in the Inuit language.

The Nunavut has a harsh climate. Temperatures average -32° C in January and +5° C in July. The most prevalent animals are white fox and seals. The area is rich in copper, lead, silver, zinc, iron, and other metals, but the long winters and severe climate make extraction difficult and expensive. There are few roads, and most transport is by snowmobile or by air. This region is also known as “the land of cold”.

In the past the Inuit were chiefly a nomadic people. Although many Inuit now live in fixed settlements throughout Nunavut some maintain their traditional hunting customs. Pictured here is an Inuit standing next to his summer igloo, a tent made of walrus or seal skins.

Nunavut is the newest Canadian province, it was officially established in 1999.

Since the Inuit children live in very isolated place, attending school for them is impossible and the Canadian government established the Radio School - special education service that uses radio and internet as means of communication between students and teachers.

Students listen to the lessons on the radio or receive instructions via internet. They send their homework to the teacher via fax or e-mail and get corrected work back the same day. Every two months teachers visit their students for one-to-one tutoring.

Say why…

-the government established the Radio School in Nunavut? –the natural resources of Nunavut can not be used? –you can not use a bus or a car in Nunavut? – Nunavut is called “the land of cold”?

Royal Canadian Mounted Police commonly known as the Mounties is one of Canada’s symbols. The Mounted Police Officers are particularly known for their colourful uniform. When Canada Day is celebrated across the country with parades from the capital to the smallest village the Mounties are always the part of the show.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is a cultural symbol of Canada. It was founded in 1873 to maintain peace in the Canadian west. Every year they have traditional horse parade. Nowadays they usually travel by car, boat, airplane, or snowmobile rather than on horseback. Their official uniform consists of a broad-brimmed hat, scarlet jacket, and blue trousers.

Canada's Coat Of Arms

Provinces Coat of Arms

Canadian Coat of Arms