Canada is the world’s second largest country in terms of area. It has great scenic beauty and natural landscapes. The population of Canada is sparse compared to its size. The country offers a multi-cultural environment as immigrants of many different nationalities, cultures and languages come to work, study or live here.
CLIMATE OF CANADA
The tourists must remember that Canada uses a metric system of measurement, so the temperature will be displayed in degrees centigrade. Due to its expansive geography, the country has a varied climate in different regions. Though, most of the inhabited areas are located within a few hundred kilometers radius of the United States borders, where the climate is moderate to cold. But up towards the northern regions, the temperatures are extreme, making the region freezing cold for most part of the year.
CITIES OF CANADA
The major cities of Canada are Ottawa (capital city), Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Montreal, Quebec city, Toronto, Vancouver and Winnipeg. Toronto has the largest population (over 5 million people), followed by Montreal and Vancouver.
ENTERING CANADA
Citizens of several nations are exempted from visa requirements for travel to Canada, under the diplomatic reciprocal relations of Canada with other countries. For other nations, the citizens may require a temporary tourist visa to visit Canada. The country also invites foreign nationals to work in Canada, for which they have to obtain a resident visa and a work permit.
ARRIVING BY AIR
The three biggest cities have of Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver have international airports to facilitate the arrival of foreign travelers. The national airlines of Canada are Air Canada, WestJet and Air Transat. The network of these airlines covers the length and breadth of Canada, and connect to most of the prominent international destinations.
TRAVELING BY ROAD
For the tourists who may wish to explore the country by road, may choose the car rental option, though it is quite costly in Canada. Alternatively, if they can share the vehicle with other tourists, then they can hire even a larger vehicle called “RV” that costs cheaper. It gives the flexibility to discover the country at your own leisurely pace. Though the tourists must remember that Canada is a large country, and it may need a few days to appreciate even one part of the country properly.
LANGUAGE
Canada has two official languages, English and French. All government communication and instructions in public places are available in both languages at most places. Though the people usually speak only either of the two languages.
ACCOMODATIONS
Hotels and accommodations in Canada are available in various price ranges, depending upon the season of travel and the location. Though a good hotel in most tourist locations would be in the price range of 100 Canadian dollars or more. Motels and B&B (bed and breakfast) are also good options that are available mostly in the interior regions.
SUMMARY: Canada is a safe, secure and well-developed country. It has a strong infrastructure to handle tourism and travel. Canada is a mosaic of different cultures, so the visitor cannot feel too much out of place anywhere he goes. |
