July 1st, 2024, marks Canada Day, signifying 157 years since the passing of the Confederation Act and the country’s formal creation.
Every year, this day is filled with celebrations throughout Canada, including parades, fireworks, concerts, picnics, and more. To commemorate this year’s Canada Day, here are 16 interesting and lesser-known facts about the country.
1. 23% of Canada’s Population is Foreign-Born
Canada boasts one of the world’s most diverse populations due to progressive immigration policies dating back to 1967. As of the 2021 census, nearly one in four people in Canada were immigrants, making it the highest rate among all G7 countries.
2. Canada Spans Six Time Zones
Canada is the second largest country in the world, covering over 9.9 million square kilometers and spanning six time zones: Pacific, Mountain, Central, Eastern, Atlantic, and Newfoundland Standard Time.
3. Canada Has a Museum for Immigration
The Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, tracks over 400 years of immigration to Canada and allows visitors to trace their own family’s immigration history.
4. Largest Moose Population in the World
Canada is home to the world’s largest moose population, with estimates ranging from 500,000 to 1,000,000 moose found in almost every province and territory.
5. Surprising Canadians
Notable Canadians include Alexander Graham Bell, James Cameron, Joni Mitchell, Elliot Page, Shania Twain, Margaret Atwood, and James Naismith, the creator of basketball.
6. Over Half of the World’s Lakes
Canada is estimated to have nearly 2 million lakes, accounting for over 20% of the world’s surface freshwater. The country also has the longest place name, “Pekwachnamaykoskwaskwaypinwanik,” a lake in Manitoba.
7.. National Parks Larger Than Many Countries
Canada’s 38 national parks cover more than 340,000 square kilometers, making their combined area larger than countries like Japan and Germany.
8.. 90% of Canadians Live Near the U.S. Border
Despite its vast size, 90% of Canada’s population lives within 100 kilometers of the U.S.-Canada border.
10. Second-Most Educated Country
Canada ranks as the second most-educated country in the world, surpassed only by South Korea, based on the proportion of the population that has completed tertiary education.
9. The Whisky War
From 1973 to 2022, Canada and Denmark engaged in the “Whisky War” over Hans Island, involving an exchange of flags and alcoholic beverages. The dispute ended in 2022 with a land border agreement.
11. Leading Producer of Maple Syrup
In 2021, Canada produced over 100 million kilograms of maple syrup. The country is home to more than 6,000 maple farms and has experienced significant maple syrup thefts, including a heist valued at $24.1 million CAD.
12. Longest Street in the World
Yonge Street in Toronto is considered the longest street in the world, measuring 56 kilometers and dating back to 1794.
13. Coldest Recorded Temperature
The coldest temperature recorded in Canada was –63°C (-81.4°F) in Snag, Yukon Territory, in 1947.
14. $1 Million Coin
The “Big Maple Leaf,” a gold coin produced by the Royal Canadian Mint in 2007, is valued at $1 million CAD. The coin weighs 100 kilograms and has a gold purity of 99.999%.
15. Canadian Innovations
Significant Canadian inventions include the Java programming language, sonar, the alkaline battery, the garbage bag, insulin, the artificial cardiac pacemaker, film colorization, the Ambrosia apple, the California roll, and Hawaiian pizza.