Even though Canada is next door to America, there are still many things that are unknown about the country. These may be smaller things, such as which measurement system they use, or bigger things, such as being a bilingual nation. Here are 17 things about Canada that are unknown to most Americans.
The Global Maple Syrup Vault
Canada has a maple syrup vault where they have been stockpiling it for a long time. For example, CBC writes, “It’s run by the organization that governs Quebec’s maple syrup producers who, for 21 years, have been stockpiling gallons of the so-called ‘liquid gold’ in a small town called Laurierville.”
Bilingual Nation
Canada is the largest French-speaking country outside of France and is spoken the most in Quebec. French and English are both official languages of Canada, and this can be seen through their signs and product labels. The government will also speak in both languages, and media broadcasts will also be in both languages.
Hollywood North
Canada is a popular filming location for many American movies and TV shows. Cities like Toronto and Vancouver often stand in for American cities, usually due to tax reasons and beautiful landscapes. Famous productions that were filmed in Canada include Titanic and The X-Files.
Canadian Stars in American Pop Culture
Trafalgar writes, “Celine Dion, Justin Bieber and Drake are Canadian celebrities who frequently display their patriotism to fans, but there are lots of famous faces from Canada who might surprise you.” Canada has also made a significant contribution to comedy with stars such as Mike Myers, Ryan Reynolds, Catherine O’Hara, Seth Rogen, and Jim Carrey.
Pride in Healthcare
Canadians are very proud of their universal health care system. It’s a publicly funded system that covers all citizens across provinces. Many Canadians appreciate the freedom from financial worry when it comes to taking care of their health, especially as they don’t have to spend large amounts of money on health insurance.
Surprising Size
Canada is surprisingly big. It’s the second-largest country in the world, which can sometimes be hard to believe. The only country larger than it is Russia. The easternmost part of Canada in Newfoundland is actually closer to London than Vancouver. As the majority of Canada’s population lives close to the U.S. border, its size is often overlooked.
Sparse Population
Statista writes, “In 2021, Canada had a population density of about 4.35 people per square kilometer. The country has one of the lowest population densities in the world, as the total population is very small in relation to the dimensions of the land.” Many misconceptions make Americans believe that Canadians know one another, but this isn’t the case.
Measurement Mix
Canada uses both the metric and imperial systems for different measurements. For example, distances are measured in metric units, but height and weight are usually measured in the imperial system. Not many countries use two measurement systems, and this blend of systems reflects Canada’s hybrid cultural influences.
Unique Spelling Rules
Canadian spelling has influences of both British and American spelling. For example, they use British spelling for words such as “flavour” and “colour” where they keep the “u” in words. They also prefer to use “re” instead of “er,” with words such as “theater.” It can become quite confusing if you aren’t a native Canadian.
Vocabulary Quirks
Cheapism writes, “Although the English language remains relatively consistent across North America, there are still some expressions and terms in Canadian English that leave American visitors scratching their heads.” For example, Canadians may say “washroom” instead of “restroom” or “runners” instead of “sneakers.”
Canadians’ Love for Cuba
Canadians love to visit Cuba, so much so that over one million are known to visit each year, which is the highest from any country. Canada has a long-standing tourism relationship with Cuba, which is why so many Canadians visit. The warming of Cuba-US relations has caused concerns over increased crowding and costs.
Multicultural Society
Canada has a significant number of foreign-born citizens. The country is projected to have a substantial “visible minority” population by 2036. This diversity reflects an inclusive and multi-Canadian, cultural identity. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to find a second-generation Canadian, as most Canadians were born in a different country or have parents who were.
High Happiness Index
Canada ranks high in the happiness index. This is backed up by Simon Fraser University, which writes, “Canada ranks just below Australia (12th) but ahead of Ireland (14th) and its neighbor, the United States (15th).” A significant number of Canadians report high levels of satisfaction when it comes to their lives, and this certainly shows.
Invention of Hawaiian Pizza
Hawaiian pizza was invented in Ontario by Sam Panopoulous. It wasn’t invented in Hawai’i, as some may believe. The pizza features ham and pineapple toppings, which challenge more traditional toppings, as many don’t include fruit. Its origin is a fun fact, as not many people know where Hawaiian pizza originated from.
Largest Number of Lakes
Canada has the most lakes of any country, which means it has a vast amount of freshwater resources. In fact, it’s believed that Canada has more lakes than people, as the number of lakes is three million and its population is two million. This abundance of lakes plays a huge role in Canada’s ecosystem and recreation.
Donut Shop Density
Canada has the highest number of per-capita donut shops in the world. For example, The Los Angeles Times writes, “In Canada’s doughnut wonderland, industry executives estimate there are roughly five times more doughnut shops per capita than in the U.S., which has about one shop per 68,000 people.”
World’s Longest Coastline
Canada has the longest coastline in the world. It’s so large that it even stretches over three oceans, which are the Atlantic, the Pacific, and the Arctic. This diverse and scenic coastline is a key part of Canada’s national identity thanks to its natural beauty and offers great opportunities for maritime exploration.