Canada Travel Guide
Canada Essentials
Language: English, French
Currency: Canadian Dollar (CAD)
Rate:
Time Zone: GMT -3 (East Coast) to -7 (West Coast)
Capital City: Ottawa
Population: 34.3 million
Layout: See Map
Travel to Canada
Canada is a massive country with a hugely diverse landscape, from the majestic Rocky Mountains of British Columbia to the great plains of the interior and Great Lakes of the southeast. Canada also boasts several world class cosmopolitan cities, owing to the ethnic mosaic of peoples that inhabit them.
British Columbia is a beautiful and diverse province; highlights include the picturesque and temperate Vancouver Island and Charlotte Islands, laid-back Vancouver, and the hugely popular ski resort of Whistler/Blackcomb. The pristine wilderness around the Thompson-Okanagan region is also up there with the best. Vancouver is the biggest city in the province and is set on a beautiful harbour with a mountainous backdrop. Chinatown and Stanley Park should not be missed.
Located on Lake Ontario, Toronto is Canadas most populated city and entices a deluge of visitors with its superb attractions such as Casa Loma, the historical York neighbourhood, the Skydome, the Royal Ontario Museum and, of course, the CN Tower. Nearby is Algonquin Provincial Park, a huge area offering endless outdoor recreational activities and exquisite scenery.
One of the world's greatest natural attractions is only a 90-minute drive south of Toronto - the awesome Niagara Falls. They need to be seen to be truly appreciated and are best viewed from the Canadian side. The Horseshoe Falls are the most dramatic, while the American and Bridal Veil falls are also impressive. As an aside to the falls, Niagara town has a wealth of entertainment options.
Farther northeast, Ottawa, the nation's capital, enjoys a pleasant riverside setting and has recently taken pains to re-invent itself. This lively cosmopolitan city is loaded with outstanding national museums and superb cultural facilities. There are numerous parks and gardens to relax in, as well as a busy café, bar and restaurant scene.
Quebec has some gems of its own, both natural and man-made, with the stark Laurentian Mountains harbouring several world-class ski resorts and quaint villages, and Montréal and Quebec City offering European ambience. Montréal is a very modern North American city, yet very French at the same time, and is a vibrant metropolis with such sights as the Notre Dame Basilica, Olympic Stadium and the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts.
Northeast of Montréal along the St Lawrence River is Quebec City, an old walled city (one-of-a-kind in North America) recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage site back in 1985. Consisting of two old towns - the upper 18th and 19th century, and the lower, restored 17th century town - it has a very special ambience created by the narrow, twisting streets, market squares and quaint shops.
In the northeast of Canada, Newfoundland has a long rugged coastline and quaint, tucked-away villages. St Johns is North America's oldest city; fantastic views are afforded from Signal Hill. Labrador is wild country and great for exploring; while Gros Morne National Park is outstanding.
