08 - Canada3.doc

Canada

Maturitní téma z anglického jazyka

Gymnázium F. X. Šaldy

Hana Kyselová

Canada is the second largest country of the world. Its area is almost 10 million sq km.

Geography:

It occupies the northern part of North America (except Alaska) and some islands (e.g. Baffin Island, Newfoundland, Prince Edward). It borders on the USA, in the south, the Pacific Ocean and Alaska in the west, the Arctic Ocean in the north and the Atlantic Ocean in the east. Part of the border with the USA is made by the Great Lakes (a group of 5 lakes along the US-Canadian border - Lake Superior, Huron, Michigan, Erie, Ontario). This border is the longest undefended border in the world. Lakes which are entirely[1] in Canada are Great Bear Lake, Great Slave Lake and Lake Winnipeg.

Canada has high mountain ranges, such as the Rocky Mountains, the Mackenzie Mountains and the Melville Hills. The longest river is the Mackenzie (it flows from the Rocky Mountains to the Arctic Ocean), other big rivers are the Yukon, the Fraser and the Columbia (they flow to the Pacific Ocean) and the river St. Lawrence (it flows into the Atlantic). The Canadian Niagara Falls are called Horseshoe Falls and are 49 m high and 1,5 km wide.

The Niagara River - part of the St. Lawrence River - connects Lake Erie and Lake Ontario forming the world-famous Niagara Falls 51 m high, 900 m wide on the Canadian side and 320m wide on US side. The name itself is Indian and means „the thunder of waters“. There are really two waterfalls, American and Canadian, divided[2] by a piece of land, from which people can look down at the falling masses of water. It is also possible for the visitors to have a beautiful view of the falls from the river below. They may go by a boat for a trip as far as the base[3] of the waterfall. The falling water has worn away rocks behind the falls. One such place is one hundred and fifty feet high and goes back a hundred feet. It is called the Cave of the Winds. Visitors can reach this cave by a lift which takes them down to the entrance. In the cave they are greeted by a frightful[4] thundering as thousands of tons of water pass directly before their eyes.

The climate varies from Arctic climate in the north with winter temperatures as low as minus 50 °C, to moderate climate in the east and west. The north of the country is a cold tundra with large and beautiful forests to the south. The central plains from the prairie.

People and language:

Canada is an English-speaking and a French-speaking country. It is known to be very attractive for its varied and beautiful countryside, esp. near the Great lakes. English and French are both official languages. About 70% speak English and 20% French, and the rest are bilingual[5]. There are also North American Indian languages and the Inuit Inuktitut.

However some areas are difficult for people to live in. Most of the people live within[6] 200 miles of the US border and the rest of the country further north is very thinly[7] populated. All the large cities, e.g. Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Ottawa (the capital), Quebec and others, are situated near Canada’s southern border. Canada’s population comprises 30 million people. The original inhabitants were Eskimos and Indians. Most of the population are descended[8] from European immigrants: British, Irish and French ancestors[9].

The 4 groups of Canada’s inhabitants are Anglo-Canadians, French-Canadians, Canadian Indians and Eskimos. First permanent settlers were French in the 17th century who called their colony in the St. Lorenz Valley New France. Than there were in 1763 a British colony. During the War of Independence the settlers in Canada remind loyal to Britain and did not fight against the English soldiers.

History:

The Vikings discovered it a thousand years ago, but it was rediscovered by the Europeans in the 15th century. Large territories were occupied[10] by the French but France lost this country in frequent wars with England during the 17th and 18th centuries - Britain and France fought over Canada for nearly 200 years. Finally in 1763 Britain took control. Canada became a British colony and it is the oldest independent member of the British Commonwealth because it became a dominion as early as 1867.

Industry:

Canada is rich in raw[11] materials, including such metals as gold, platinum, uranium, copper, silver and other important ores.[12] One third of the country is covered by forest. There is a highly developed agriculture. Wheat is grown esp. in the interior, but not all parts are convenient[13] for it. Canada is the world’s fifth largest producer of wheat. Forests provide wood for building, furniture and paper production. Canada has coal, metal and gas, machine-building, ship-building, chemical and steel and car industries.

Besides[14] wheat other important agricultural items are live-stock[15] production, oats[16], vegetables, fruit, tobacco, diary products.

Information about state:

The name Canada originated with the first inhabitants. The Indians used the word „Kanata“ for settlement.

Canada is a federation of 2(3) territories and 10 provinces.

Provinces:

-          British Columbia – the capital: Victoria; the most important city: Vancouver

-          Alberta – the capital: Edmonton; another important place: Calgary

-          Saskatchewan – the capital: Regina

-          Manitoba – the capital: Winnipeg

-          Ontario – the capital. Toronto; on the territory of this province there is situated the federal capital: Ottawa

-          Quebec – the capital: Quebec; the biggest city: Montreal

-          Newfoundland – the capital: St. John’s

-          Prince Edward Island – the capital: Charlottetown

-          New Brunswick – the capital: Fredericton

-          Nova Scotia – the capital: Halifax

Territories:

-          the Yukon Territory – the capital: Whitehorse; important city: Dawson

-          the North-west Territories – the capital: Yellowknife

-          Nunavud  - the capital: Iqaluid; this territory was established[17] a few years ago; in Canada there were original inhabitants: Canadian Indians and Eskimos (Inuit). Eskimos were in the past persecuted[18] and the present government wants to make up this injustice, this gesture is to reconcile[19] these original inhabitants and recognize[20] their dignity[21].

Political system:

It is an independent federal parliamentary country, member of the Commonwealth. The Canadian Parliament consists of the House of Commons and the Senate. The official head is the Queen. She is represented by the Governor General. The actual head is the prime Minister who selects his own Cabinet.

Canada’s national flag is red and in the centre there is a white square with a red maple leaf. The red stripes[22] are symbolical of Canada’s position between the two oceans. Red colour symbolizes the blood of Canadians who had died in WW I, white represents the snow of the Canadian North. The national currency is Canadian dollar with 100 cents.