Canada is a country of great natural beauty, densely forested, with mountains, lakes and great extensions of fertile land and natural resources. It boasts 38 national parks and more than 1000 provincial parks.

In the last few years citizens from Latin America have had to face economic, labor and social crisis. Many of them have chosen to leave their countries without any previous planning. It is important to understand that the act of immigration is a very serious one with implications that go beyond a hastened decision to move to another country. Canada has been nominated for the past seven years as "the country with the best quality of life" by the Organization of the United Nations (UN)", where millions of people have found it to be a beautiful place providing a great quality of life for their families and their future. It is also one of the world leaders in computer technology and has an excellent reputation in areas such as telecommunications, transport and engineering; especially aero-spatial industries, urban transport, microelectronics, medical equipment, advanced software, printing, hydroelectric and nuclear energy, laser and optical-electronics, beverages, biotechnology and food processing, marine and environment industries. Canada has been nominated for the past seven years as "the country with the best quality of life" by the Organization of the United Nations (UN)", where millions of people have found it to be a beautiful place providing a great quality of life for their families and their future. It is also one of the world leaders in computer technology and has an excellent reputation in areas such as telecommunications, transport and engineering; especially aero-spatial industries, urban transport, microelectronics, medical equipment, advanced software, printing, hydroelectric and nuclear energy, laser and optical-electronics, beverages, biotechnology and food processing, marine and environment industries. Canada has a stable economy thanks to its industrial growth and creation of companies that require skilled and specialized human resources and it is one of the countries that attracts immigrants thanks to the great advantages and countless benefits it offers them.

Provinces and Territories

Canada is made up of ten (10) provinces and two (2) territories. It is a diverse and multicultural nation and the biggest country in the western hemisphere.

Alberta  British Columbia  Manitoba  New Brunswick  Newfoundland  Northwest Territories  Nova Scotia  Nunavut  Ontario  Prince Edward Island  Québec  Saskatchewan  Yukon

Canada possesses a territory 3.5 times bigger than Argentina and 9 times bigger than Colombia. Its population is made up of approximately 30 million inhabitants compared to Argentina with a population of 36 million inhabitants or Colombia with a population of 44 million inhabitants.

The low population density per km2 and the high population index of senior citizens has led to an aggressive government immigration policy with the goal of receiving between 250,000 and 300,000 immigrants per year.
Canada is the global leader in development and one of the richest countries in the world. It has a fertile and stable economy thanks to its manufacturing industry, commerce and services and its wealth of natural resources.

Tax reductions and the elimination of inflation coupled with very active export promote the creation of new sources of work. This results in very low unemployment levels and a thriving economy.

History

The first inhabitants, known as the Inuit (Eskimos), arrived from Siberia to the Canadian territory 25,000 to 30,000 years ago. These nomads established themselves in the arctic territories where they developed fishing and excellent hunting skills. They lived in groups with great communal and solidarity sense and their personal lives were ruled by the concept of internal harmony.

Nomad distribution in the Canadian territory caused great changes in their lives and government. The plains were inhabited by the Assiniboines, Black foot, and Sarcees Indians. Kwakiutl, Nootka, Haida tribes settled in the pacific coast whose social structure was built around the possession of goods and private property.

In the year 1,000 A.C. the Hurons and the Iroquois tribes settled in the center and south of the Ontario province. They built a society and a warlike empire which lasted until the arrival of the Europeans
The first Europeans to arrive to Canada were the Vikings, according to mythical texts. They were followed by the Italian John Cabot who made two trips in 1496 and 1498 to the coasts of Brittany and Newfoundland.

In 1953, Jacques Cartier navigates the Saint Lawrence River and discovers Canada, meaning "establishment" in the native language of the local natives.

The colonization process grows towards the end of the XVI century and beginning of the XVII century when Acadia is founded in 1605 as the first French colony in Canada. Samuel Champlain, a French explorer, establishes the foundations of Quebec in 1608. With the arrival of Franciscan missionaries, the first evangelizers, Champlain establishes the Catholic religion, French and its traditions in the new territories.

From then on the history of Canada is dotted by episodes and tales of adventure, confrontations and battles between anonymous braves and heroes from both colonial countries.

Government

Capital city:	Ottawa, Ontario.
Type of Government:	Federal Parliamentary Democracy and Constitutional Monarchy
Chief of government:	Prime Minister
National Emblem:	Maple leaf
Population:	It is estimated that in the 2001 the Canadian population reached an estimated 31 million inhabitants*. Canada has one of the lowest population indexes in the world, 2.9 persons/km².

Climate

A great number of Canadian habits and social "rituals" stem from the Canadian climate. The geography and the climate of the country are fundamental elements that shape the character of the Canadians.

Canada has four distinct seasons (winter, spring, summer and autumn) and Canadians and immigrants alike take advantage of the seasonal activities. Temperatures vary according to precipitation, region, latitude and land relief.

Winter

Winter starts December 21st, temperatures vary from 5°C to -13°C, it is the time of the year where Canadian cities and forests are covered with a blanket of snow.
During this season one can take advantage of winter activities such as ice skating, skidooing, or simply walking with the traditional snow shoes.

You can also ski in the different mountains of the region, go on a sleigh ride with your family, take in the winter festivals of Quebec City, and walk through its rustic and picturesque areas.

Spring

After the winter months the arrival of spring, on March 21st, signals an exciting and invigorating time. The air warms up and the maple sap begins to flow - it's maple syrup time. If you have a sweet tooth visit the sugar cabin where you can find a warm and cheerful environment, enjoy yourself by indulging in a variety of maple syrup flavored dishes.

Summer

Summer begins June 21st and many cities go into a frenzy. Montreal, for example, welcomes summer with cultural activities such as the International Jazz Festival, the Festival of French Music, the Gourmet Festival, the World Firecracker Contest and the International Movie Festival.
During this season, romantics take a ride on an old horse drawn carriage through Old Montreal and when night falls night life lovers meet in bars and taverns of Old Montreal, Crescent Street or the Latin Quarter or take in a show at the Montreblanc Jazz Festival.

Autumn

Autumn starts September 21st and it is a season where Canada shows its true colors by the diversity of the colored foliage of its trees in its forests and parks. It is the perfect time to visit farms and taste the fruit in season, go on a bicycle ride, discover the different regions and corners and enjoy the fresh air and a family picnic.

Canadians thoroughly enjoy their climate and nature. That is why outdoor activities are very important in the life of Canadians. 

Average Temperature in Canada

Temperature ( 0 C )	January	April	July	October	Annual
Vancouver (British Columbia)
Maximum Daily Temperature	5,7	12,7	23,7	13,5	13,5
Minimum Daily Temperature	0,1	4,9	12,7	6,4	6,1
Average Daily Temperature	3	8,8	17,2	10	9,9
Regina (Saskatchewan)
Maximum Daily Temperature	-11	10,5	28,3	11,9	8,9
Minimum Daily Temperature	-22,1	-2,4	11,9	-1,7	-3,8
Average Daily Temperature	-16,5	4,1	19,1	-5,1	2,6
Toronto (Ontario)
Maximum Daily Temperature	-2,5	11,5	29,8	14,1	12,3
Minimum Daily Temperature	-11,1	0,6	14,2	3,6	1,9
Average Daily Temperature	-6,7	6	20,5	8,9	7,2
Montreal (Québec)
Maximum Daily Temperature	-5,8	10,7	28,2	13	10,9
Minimum Daily Temperature	-14,9	0,6	15,4	3,6	1,2
Average Daily Temperature	-10,3	5,7	20,8	8,3	6,1
Halifax (Nova Scotia)
Maximum Daily Temperature	-0,3	7,8	23,8	13,3	10,6
Minimum Daily Temperature	-8,9	-0,2	13,1	5,2	2,3
Average Daily Temperature	-4,6	3,9	17,5	9,3	6,5
St John's (Newfoundland)
Maximum Daily Temperature	-0,7	4,8	22,2	10,6	8,6
Minimum Daily Temperature	-7,9	-2,2	10,5	3,4	0,8
Average Daily Temperature	-4,3	1,3	15,4	7	4,7
Canadian Climate Normals/Normales Climatiques au Canada published by the Atmospheric Environment Service, Environment Canada, 1998.

Religion

Canada has no official religion, freedom of religion like freedom of speech is written in the laws of the country. 
Even though English culture predominates in Canada, the Catholic religion is the number one religion. More than ten million Canadians are Catholic.
A few decades ago the Protestant religion had the most followers; although this trend has been decreasing to the point where less than 40% of the population is Protestant.
There are other religious communities such as the Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindi and a few others.

Romans Catholics 46% Protestants 36% Atheist 12.5% Jews 1.2% Muslims 0.9% Buddhists 0.6% Hindus 0.6% Sikh 0.6% Others* 1.6%

Quebec is one of the provinces of Canada that attracts thousands of immigrants each year, since it is a multicultural society that offers great opportunities of employment and investment and besides it is the only province that has the authorization to select its own immigrants. Each year Quebec receives more than 40,000 immigrants.

Quebec has an area of 1,667,926 km² and a population of 7.6 million inhabitants, which, when compared with Colombia, a country with almost the same area, has four times less population.

Quebec is a land that offers great tourist attractions and natural beauty. French and English are the official languages in a bilingual province. Montreal is the heart of economic and cultural life in the province and has been nominated by the United Nations for the past seven years as the city with the highest quality of living in the world. Montreal has a population of three million and has the advantages and characteristics of a modern and multicultural city.

Quebec's economy is based on the growth and development of advanced technologies and competitive industrial sectors in the international markets such as: aero-spatial, pharmaceutical products, computer technologies, telecommunications, hydroelectricity and metallurgy.
Quebec, as a province, occupies the 17th place on the list of industrialized countries when taken into account the size of its economy.