Canada

Location

• Northern North America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean on the east, North Pacific Ocean on the west, and the Arctic Ocean on the north, north of the conterminous US
• note 1: second-largest country in the world (after Russia) and largest in the Americas; strategic location between Russia and US via north polar route; approximately 90% of the population is concentrated within 160 km (100 mi) of the US border note 2: Canada has more fresh water than any other country, and almost 9% of Canadian territory is water; Canada has at least 2 million and possibly over 3 million lakes, more than all other countries combined

Population

Notable Population Centers

City	Population	Note
Toronto	2,794,356
Montréal	1,762,949
Calgary	1,306,784
Ottawa	1,017,449	Capital
Edmonton	1,010,899
Winnipeg	749,607
Mississauga	717,961
Vancouver	662,248
Brampton	656,480
Hamilton	569,353

Size

• 3,855,081 square miles
• 9,984,670 square kilometers
• slightly larger than the US

History

A land of vast distances and rich natural resources, Canada became a self-governing dominion in 1867, while retaining ties to the British crown. Canada gained legislative independence from Britain in 1931 and formalized its constitutional independence from the UK when it passed the Canada Act in 1982. Economically and technologically, the nation has developed in parallel with the US, its neighbor to the south across the world's longest international border. Canada faces the political challenges of meeting public demands for quality improvements in health care, education, social services, and economic competitiveness, as well as responding to the particular concerns of predominantly francophone Quebec. Canada also aims to develop its diverse energy resources while maintaining its commitment to the environment.

Climate

varies from temperate in south to subarctic and arctic in north

Terrain

mostly plains with mountains in west, lowlands in southeast

Languages

English (official) 87.1%, French (official) 29.1%, Chinese languages 4.2%, Spanish 3.2%, Punjabi 2.6%, Arabic 2.4%, Tagalog 2.3%, Italian 1.5% (2022 est.)major-language sample(s): The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. (English)The World Factbook, une source indispensable d'informations de base. (French)

Religions

Christian 53.3%, Muslim 4.9%, Hindu 2.3%, Sikh 2.1%, Buddhist 1%, Jewish 0.9%, Traditional (North American Indigenous) 0.2%, other religions and traditional spirituality 0.6%, none 34.6% (2021 est.)

Government

federal parliamentary democracy (Parliament of Canada) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm; federal and state authorities and responsibilities regulated in constitution

• Constitution: history: consists of unwritten and written acts, customs, judicial decisions, and traditions dating from 1763; the written part of the constitution consists of the Constitution Act of 29 March 1867, which created a federation of four provinces, and the Constitution Act of 17 April 1982amendment process: proposed by either house of Parliament or by the provincial legislative assemblies; there are 5 methods for passage though most require approval by both houses of Parliament, approval of at least two thirds of the provincial legislative assemblies and assent and formalization as a proclamation by the governor general in council; the most restrictive method is reserved for amendments affecting fundamental sections of the constitution, such as the office of the monarch or the governor general, and the constitutional amendment procedures, which require unanimous approval by both houses and by all the provincial assemblies, and assent of the governor general in council
• Political Parties and Leaders: n/a
• Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
• Legal System: common law system except in Quebec, where civil law based on the French civil code prevails
• Executive Branch: chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor General Mary SIMON (since 26 July 2021)head of government: Prime Minister Mark CARNEY (since 14 March 2025)cabinet: Federal Ministry chosen by the prime minister usually from among members of his/her own party sitting in Parliamentelection/appointment process: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister for a 5-year term; after legislative elections, the governor general usually designates the leader of the majority party or majority coalition in the House of Commons as prime ministernote: the governor general position is largely ceremonial
• Judicial Branch: highest court(s): Supreme Court of Canada (consists of the chief justice and 8 judges)judge selection and term of office: chief justice and judges appointed by the prime minister in council; all judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 75subordinate courts: federal level: Federal Court of Appeal; Federal Court; Tax Court; federal administrative tribunals; Courts Martial; provincial/territorial level: provincial superior, appeals, first instance, and specialized courtsnote: in 1999, the Nunavut Court -- a circuit court with the power of a provincial superior court, as well as a territorial court -- was established to serve isolated settlements
• Legislative Branch: legislature name: Parliament of Canada - Parlement du Canadalegislative structure: bicameral

Demographic Profile

n/a

Economy

• high-income economy and second-largest US trading partner; key timber, oil, and gas industries; trade uncertainties and weak business investments contributing to economic slowdown; high and growing public debt; inflation moderating but remains above target range
• Budget: revenues: $428.312 billion (2023 est.)expenditures: $417.421 billion (2023 est.)note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
• Credit Rating: n/a
• Natural Resources: bauxite, iron ore, nickel, zinc, copper, gold, lead, uranium, rare earth elements, molybdenum, potash, diamonds, silver, fish, timber, wildlife, coal, petroleum, natural gas, hydropower
• Industries: transportation equipment, chemicals, processed and unprocessed minerals, food products, wood and paper products, fish products, petroleum, natural gas
• Agricultural Products: wheat, rapeseed, maize, milk, barley, soybeans, potatoes, peas, oats, pork (2023)note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
• Land Use: agricultural land: 6.5% (2022 est.)arable land: 4.4% (2022 est.)permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.)permanent pasture: 2.1% (2022 est.)forest: 39.5% (2022 est.)other: 54% (2022 est.)
• Labor Force by Occupation: n/a
• Imports
• Imported Commodities: cars, trucks, vehicle parts/accessories, refined petroleum, crude petroleum (2023)note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
• Import Partners: USA 51%, China 11%, Mexico 6%, Germany 3%, Japan 3% (2023)note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
• Exports
• Exported Commodities: crude petroleum, cars, gold, natural gas, refined petroleum (2023)note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
• Export Partners: USA 71%, China 5%, UK 3%, Japan 2%, Mexico 2% (2023)note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports