Canada

Canada, with its capital Ottawa, is slightly larger than the US and encompasses a total area of 9,976,140 sq. km. Canada is the second-largest country in the world (after Russia) and has a strategic location between Russia and US via the north polar route. The climate varies from temperate in the south to subarctic and arctic in the north. The terrain is mostly plains, with mountains in the west and lowlands in the southeast. Natural resources found in Canada are: iron ore, nickel, zinc, copper, gold, lead, molybdenum, potash, silver, fish, timber, wildlife, coal, petroleum, natural gas, and hydropower.

This large country has a population of 31,592,805 and approximately 85% of the population is concentrated within 300 km of the US/Canada border. French and English are the official languages but 18% of the population speak other languages. The major industries include: processed and unprocessed minerals, food products, wood and paper products, transportation equipment, chemicals, fish products, petroleum and natural gas. Agriculture products consist of: wheat, barley, oilseed, tobacco, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, forest products, and fish. Acid rain resulting from air pollution is severely affecting lakes and damaging forests. Metal smelting, coal-burning utilities, and vehicle emissions are impacting agricultural and forest productivity. Ocean waters are becoming contaminated due to agricultural, industrial, mining, and forestry activities.

Click here for information about the wildlife and habitats of North America.