Things you didn't know about Canada

Looking for your next holiday destination? Has Canada started to spark your interest? We can’t blame you. With its incredible geographical variety, amazing cities, beautiful scenery, and diverse cultures, there are a million and one reasons to make the trip. Canada is a land full of surprises and to help you get a little more acquainted with it, we’ve put together a handful of fun facts and stats that you might not know. Hopefully, these fascinating details will get you inspired and excited about the possibilities on your future family holiday to Canada.

Canada has the longest coastline of any country in the world

When one thinks of Canada, its coast and beaches don’t necessarily come to mind. However, Canada actually has the longest coastline of any country in the world. Canada’s coastline measures a whopping 151,019 miles long and there are so many locations where you can experience it yourself.

Ten provinces in Canada have a coastline, sporting incredible beaches and amazing views, making for perfect holiday destinations. For example, Newfoundland and Labrador has the longest stretch of coastline in the country. This beautiful corner of Canada boasts picturesque towns, a national park, forests, cliffs, waterfalls, fjords, and so much more.

READ ALSO: 8 reasons why you should visit Newfoundland & Labrador

If you fancy spending plenty of time on the beach during your holiday, Canada won’t disappoint, offering a number of incredible options up and down its coastlines, including the likes of Long Beach in British Columbia, renowned for its beautiful scenery and surfing.

Canada is one of the least densely populated countries in the world

Canada is one of the biggest countries in the world – the second biggest in fact – but it also has one of the smallest populations compared to its area. This means that Canada boasts incredible wide-open spaces, monumental vistas, and quiet stretches of nature.

If you are looking to get away from the hustle and bustle on your holiday, Canada is the perfect candidate. You can spend time exploring its breathtaking national parks like Banff and Jasper, set amidst the vastness of the Canadian Rockies. You can explore mountains and forests, connect with nature and enjoy having a little bit more room to breathe than almost any other country in the world.

READ ALSO: Exploring the Canadian Rockies by Motorhome

Canada has more lakes than any other country

No country in the world can compete with Canada when it comes to lakes. The sheer number of lakes in Canada is staggering – they can’t even be counted. There are millions of them if you consider even the smallest of lakes. For lakes larger than three square kilometres, there are 31,752 and Canada is also home to 62% of worldwide lakes over 0.1 square kilometres. Further still, of the largest 10 lakes in the world, five are in Canada and lakes cover 8% of the country’s surface.

All of which is to say that Canada has a stupendous supply of these beautiful natural locations, making for many a picturesque location. Unsurprisingly, some of Canada’s most beloved attractions are its lakes with standouts such as Lake Louise and Moraine Lake being must-visits for those planning a Canada holiday.

Bailey, from Destinationless Travel, has visited Lake Louise herself and shared with us what she believes makes it so special: “Lake Louise is absolutely stunning! The lake itself is bright-blue and surrounded by towering mountain peaks. The historic Fairmont Château Lake Louise sits on its foreshore, looking something like a castle in the middle of the Rocky Mountains. But besides the scenery, there are tons of outdoor activities to do in Lake Louise like hiking, kayaking, ice skating, and of course, skiing! In Lake Louise Village you'll find plenty of luxurious hotels as well as delicious restaurants - it's an all-around perfect place to holiday!”

READ ALSO: 15 most picturesque lakes in Canada

60% of the world’s polar bears live in Canada

Canada has an incredible wildlife population, and this includes the iconic polar bears. But Canada isn’t just one of many places where you can see polar bears as 60% of the entire species calls Canada home. For those of us who aren’t lucky enough to live around such exciting wildlife, a trip to Canada can be a truly incredible experience.

There are a number of locations where visitors can get the chance to spot a polar bear in the wild, but did you know that there is a town in Manitoba, Canada called Churchill that is known as the polar bear capital of the world? It’s truly the place to be if you’ve always wanted to see a polar bear in its natural environment and there are a host of awesome tours available on polar bear watching holidays.

READ ALSO: An essential guide to polar bear watching in Canada

Over 250 ethnic origins or ancestries are reported by Canadians

Canada is an incredibly diverse nation with the country’s census showing that there are over 250 different ethnic origins or ancestries reported by Canadians. Further still, 4 in 10 Canadians report having more than one origin. From Chinese and East Indian to Filipino and many European nations, there’s a rich tapestry at work in Canada, all bringing their own distinctive cultures to the table.

Canada also has a very important indigenous population, with its own unique and vibrant culture. In fact, Canada’s indigenous peoples are the fastest-growing population in all of Canada. There are numerous ways to experience Canada’s fascinating indigenous culture for yourself on a holiday, with festivals and powwows (a celebration of culture with music and dance) being two examples.

71% of the world’s maple syrup comes from Canada

The association with Canada and maple syrup is well known – the maple leaf does figure on the nation’s flag after all – but did you know that a massive 71% of all the world’s maple syrup comes from Canada? It’s an enormous number but it does mean that when you decide to visit, trying a maple covered treat is a must.

You don’t have to find the nearest pancake house though, there are some incredible attractions to visit, such as the nation’s many maple syrup farms and sugar shacks. Here you can go on tours of the farms, witness maple being extracted from the trees, learn about the process, and, of course, sit down and enjoy some delicious food.

READ ALSO: How to enjoy maple syrup season

Canada is the world’s most educated country

That’s right, according to the OECD, no country in the world has a more educated population than Canada. Beating the likes of Japan, Korea, Israel and the United Kingdom, Canada sits atop the world in terms of the number of well-educated adults.

Canada’s many incredible museums certainly reflect the nation’s intellectual appetites and if you fancy coming back home with some fascinating facts to tell your friends about, they are well worth a visit. From the Royal Ontario Museum (the largest museum in Canada) to the Canada Science and Technology Museum, there’s plenty to see and learn about during your visit.

READ ALSO: Canada vs the UK: which country suits you?

Facts and stats about Canada

• Canada has the longest coastline of any country in the world
• Canada is one of the least densely populated countries in the world
• Canada has more lakes than any other country
• 60% of the world’s polar bears live in Canada
• Over 250 ethnic origins or ancestries are reported by Canadians
• 71% of the world’s maple syrup comes from Canada
• Canada is the world’s most educated country

If these fascinating facts about Canada have gotten you inspired for a future trip, we at Canadian Affair would love to help you plan your holiday. We are the Canada holiday experts and can create an incredible itinerary for you that covers all of the bases mentioned above or whatever else you might like to experience.

For more tips, guides, and advice, make sure to visit our blog.