Here are some great interesting facts about Canada to learn more about this beautiful country before you go, or even once you’re back. Knowledge is power!

Canada’s natural beauty is unparalleled worldwide – there’s your number one fact about Canada. People travel from around the world to hike its mountains, see the mesmerising glaciers, canoe in the lakes, and visit the magnificent forests. I’ve been five times now and hope to get out there again one day very soon.

Helloooo Nova Scotia…

As well as tourists visiting for the nature, Canada’s cosmopolitan cities are clean, safe, and filled with friendly multinational people. In fact, it’s been acclaimed as the most liveable country in the world many times. 

There are lots of reasons to love Canada on the surface, but here are a few interesting facts about Canada to make you love it even more for its culture, openness and general awesomeness too. 

Interesting Facts About Canada

1. Canada is the second largest country in the world 

With Russia first, Canada second, and China third, I know which country I’d rather visit outta the Big Three. Yes, Canada. 

And when I say ‘largest’ I mean by land space. There are 37 million people in Canada, and each person has plenty of space to spread out in. Only 10% of Canada is actually inhabited. The country is larger than the USA but only has about 11% of their population. There’s a LOT of wide open space in Canada, all for you to admire. 

One of the most spacious places in all of Canada is the Yukon, in the north. I went once, to check out all the things to do in Whitehorse, and to experience the Dawson City Music Festival. Check out my blog posts to find out how my trip went!

2. Canada is topographically diverse 

Canada has committed vast areas of its land to conserve nature. Not many countries possess the number of natural wonders that Canada does. With arctic lands, mountains, forests, lakes, a small area of desert, and more coastline than any other country, Canada truly has diverse landscapes for people to witness.

Some of the most famous natural attractions include the Canadian Rocky Mountain parks (some of the most beautiful national parks in Canada), Niagara Falls, Dinosaur Provincial Park, Cabot Trail, and Nahanni National Park Reserve.

3. The crime rate in the big cities is low

Canada also has several modern and multicultural cities. Each city has its unique charm. Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal are probably the best known. Still, there are many more cities that portrait different aspects of the country like mountainous landscapes, French history, maritime culture, or its indigenous people.

Most of the cities are relatively small and easy to navigate. The people, even in the bigger cities, are friendly and the crime rates are low. It’s a fact that Canada is one of the most accepting nations in the world. 

4. Canada’s coastline is long

Canada has the longest coastline of any country in the world at 243,977 kilometres – 151,600 miles. To look at Canada on a map, you can see why. 

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READ MORE: WHY VISIT CANADA NOW? What to Know Before You Go!

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5. Canada loves a festival

Canadians are well-known to be very hospitable and friendly, but most people don’t know that they are also famous for partying. They have beautiful Canadian festivals in different parts of the country.

Watch my video on the Dawson City Music Festival here

I visited the Dawson City Music Festival last year and had a wonderful time learning more about the culture and traditions of the Yukon where it’s held.

Travellers also love to go to the Celebration of Light festival in Vancouver, the Calgary Stampede, Edmonton Folk Music Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, and the Celtic Colors International Festival in Nova Scotia.

READ MORE: How to Plan a Trip to Nova Scotia

How to Do a Road Trip from Vancouver to Banff

6. There are highways for animals 

In Banff National Park in Alberta there are overpasses that go over highways for wildlife. They have trees and shrubs growing on them to encourage the creatures to safety. 

This is one of my favourite facts about Canada, and I was lucky enough to see them when I visited Alberta in June. 

7. Canada is super popular with adventurers 

One of the reasons why Canada is most famous among adventurers is because it has many sites that can be used for various outdoor activities. Canada has a small population, considering it is the second-largest country, and that is why it has an expansive uninhabited space for people to roam.

Among the most popular activities are hiking, kayaking, biking, canoeing, climbing, fishing, golfing, camping, skiing, and snowboarding.

Read my post on travelling Dawson City and Whitehorse solo, to see what other adventures you can find in the Yukon, and Canada.

READ MORE: Best Places to Visit in Canada in the Summer

Best Spots in Canada for Fall

8. Brits don’t need a visa to enter

All us Brits need to do is get an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) by visiting https://www.eta-canadavisa.net/ and flash our passports.

Depending on where you’re from you may need to get a visitor’s visa that’s valid for up to 6 months from the day you enter the country.

9. Canada has two of the biggest lakes in the world 

Great Bear Lake and Great Slave Lake are the biggest in all the lands. Also fascinating, the fact that Canada has more lakes than the rest of the world combined. There are over 3 million lakes in Canada – another amazing Canadian fact! 

10. First Nations people are celebrated in Canada 

It’s estimated there are around 1.4 million First Nations people in Canada. There’s a National Aboriginal Day and before any development happens in an area, the head of any First Nations tribes in the area will be consulted.

11. Ice hockey is the most popular spot in Canada 

There are over 2800 hockey rinks in Canada and it’s the second most practised sport, after golf. Lacrosse is actually the most practiced sport though – it’s especially popular with First Nations people. 

While you’re in the country, pick up an ice hockey related Canada souvenir to show off the fact you’ve been when you get back home.

12. Canada has oil, lots of it

Canada is the second largest oil reserve holder after Saudi Arabia. 

13. More than 10% of the population are veggie 

And that number is on the rise. Whether they’re vegan or vegetarian, caring for the planet and not wanting to eat other animals is totally on brand for the average Canadian. They have one of the highest veggie populations in the western world. 

14. They love hydro electric power too 

Canada is second biggest producer of hydro electric power, after China.

15. The capital of Canada is Ottawa

You might think it was Vancouver or Toronto, in fact, I was even surprised to find this out despite visiting Canada a few times. The capital city of Canada is in fact, Ottawa. Aaannndd, now I want to go there too. 

16. The average Canadian drinks 79 litres of beer a year

Beer is the most popular alcohol in Canada, by far. One of my favourite facts about Canada is that the average Canadian drinks 79 litres per year. This number rises quite a bit in the Yukon though, in fact it goes up to 128 litres per person, annually. Wow! 

17. Official languages are English AND French 

There are two official languages in Canada: English and French. And then there are many more spoken among the indigenous communities. 

18. Polar bears like it here

Of the 25000 polar bears in the world, 15000 of them live in Canada. Canada is home to many wild bears including the black bear and brown bear too. They’re so prominent in fact that they sometimes just appear in people’s gardens. 

If you’re travelling to Canada make sure to be BEAR AWARE so you know exactly what to do if they happen to come up to you. 

20. Canadians apologise a lot 

Like Brits, Canadians are known for apologising a lot, even when they don’t actually mean it. They’re known to apologise so much in fact that the courts had to pass a law to say that an apology in court is not an admission of guilt. Apologising is just built into a Canadians DNA and they can’t help themselves. 

Canadians are known to be some of the politest people in the world for this reason. 

21. Winter is COLD 

Winters in Canada can go as low as -40C in some parts. When I visited Dawson City this year they told me it goes below, -40 even. SO COLD. I don’t think I could cope with that but some cities, including Toronto and Calgary, have entire underground routes set up so you actually never need to go outside. 

The lowest temperature recorded ever was in Snag, YT at -63C.

22. Comics can’t be criminal 

Canadians are so lovely that it’s against Canadian law to have comics that depict criminal acts. I guess so as not to encourage the readers to do copy. 

23. Canadians love mac and cheese

Canada consumes more mac and cheese than any other country in the world. They love the stuff!