1. Canada owns the most lakes in the world
Canada holds the record for the highest number of lakes globally. It is estimated to harbor over 3 million lakes, representing about 60% of all lakes on Earth. Not all are named, but they all contribute significantly to the country's ecosystem and scenery.
2. Canada is home to the world's largest Pacific coastal temperate rainforest
On the spectacular coast of British Columbia, you find the Great Bear Rainforest. Covering 6.4 million hectares, it's considered the largest intact Pacific coastal temperate rainforest left on Earth. It is not just home to a variety of wildlife, including cougars, wolves, and grizzly bears, but also the fabled and rare white Kermode bear or 'Spirit Bear'.
3. The world's longest recreational trail can be found in Canada
The Great Trail, formerly known as the Trans Canada Trail, spans over 24,000 kilometers, making it the longest recreational trail globally. It is connected through over 15,000 communities, so whether you prefer to hike, cycle, ski, horseback ride, or paddle, you can enjoy this trail in a plethora of ways.
4. It has the world's smallest jail
In Rodney, Ontario rests the world's smallest jail, measuring only 24.3 square meters! Built in 1890, it includes only two cells and is a popular tourist attraction due to its tiny size.
5. Canada's postal code for the North Pole: H0H 0H0
Everyone knows Santa lives at the North Pole, and in Canada, Santa has his very own postal code: H0H 0H0. Every year, hundreds of thousands of children send letters to this address. Even more delightful, postal workers voluntarily write responses.
6. The world's first UFO landing pad
St. Paul, Alberta proudly claims the title of being the location of the world's first UFO landing pad. Established in 1967, the landing pad was constructed to attract alien life to Earth. To date, there have been no reported landings.
7. Canada is the largest country by area in the Western Hemisphere
When it comes to land area, Canada is huge. It is the second-largest country in the world by total area, with a size of about 9.98 million square kilometers. This makes it the largest country in the Western Hemisphere.
8. Canada has the longest coastline in the world
Canada's coastline stretches for an incredible 202,080 kilometers. To put that into perspective, someone walking at a pace of about 20 kilometers per day would take over 33 years to travel Canada's coastline!
9. Canada's population density is one of the world's lowest
Despite its large size, Canada has a relatively small population. With just 4 people per square kilometer, the country has one of the world's lowest population densities.
10. Canada's national parks are bigger than most countries
Some of Canada's national parks are so large they rival the size of countries. For instance, the Nahanni National Park Reserve is bigger than Albania and Israel!
11. Basketball was invented by a Canadian
Though popularly associated with the United States, basketball was created by a Canadian. Dr. James Naismith, a Canadian physical education instructor, invented the game in 1891.
12. The name 'Canada' comes from a misunderstanding
The word "Canada" is derived from the Iroquoian word "kanata," which means "village". When French explorers arrived and asked about the name of the place, locals referred to it as 'kanata'. The explorers misunderstood this to be the name of the country, and the rest is history.
13. The Moosehead Brewery in Saint John, New Brunswick, is Canada’s oldest independent brewery
It’s been churning out beers since 1867. That’s longer than Canada has been a country!
14. Canada is known as the home of large animals but it is also home to the smallest mammal in the world
It's an insect-eating animal, called the pygmy shrew. It weighs barely more than a teaspoon of sugar!
15. There is a gravity-defying area in Canada!
Located at Magnetic Hill in Moncton, New Brunswick, cars in neutral gear appear to be drawn uphill due to an optical illusion.
16. Canada has the second highest number of doughnut shops per capita
Canadians love doughnuts! Canada even has a museum dedicated to this sweet delight, located in Montreal, Quebec.
17. Canada's Highway 401 is one of the widest and busiest highways globally
Stretching from Windsor right up to the Quebec border, the 401 is 18 lanes at its widest point and carries more than half a million vehicles per day!
18. Canada does not have weapons of mass destruction and has signed treaties against their production
Canada is among the few countries that does not have nuclear, biological or chemical weapons. It has signed treaties against the production and stockpiling of mass destruction weapons.
19. Residents can send mail to their elected official without a stamp
Canadian citizens can mail letters to their federal politicians without paying postage. This strategy encourages residents to interact with political leaders and share their concerns and ideas.
20. The coldest temperature ever recorded in Canada was -63 degrees Celsius
In the small village of Snag in the Yukon, the temperature dropped to -63 degrees Celsius on February 3, 1947. That’s colder than the average temperature on Mars! Now that's a Canadian winter.