Canada is the land of maple syrup, majestic landscapes, and famously polite people, but there is much more to discover. From polar bears and record-breaking coastlines to the invention of basketball, here are 20 fun facts about Canada to inspire your trip.
1. Canada Is the Second-Largest Country in the World
Covering about 9.98 million square kilometers, Canada is second only to Russia in total area.
2. The Trans-Canada Highway Is One of the Longest in the World
Stretching about 7,800 km from the Pacific to the Atlantic, it is one of the world's longest national highways.
3. Canada Is Officially Bilingual
English and French are both official languages at the federal level. French is the main language of Quebec, and New Brunswick is officially bilingual.
4. Churchill Is the Polar Bear Capital of the World
Every autumn, polar bears gather near Churchill, Manitoba, on the shores of Hudson Bay, waiting for the sea ice to form so they can hunt seals.
5. Canada Spans Six Time Zones
Newfoundland is three and a half hours behind UTC in standard time, while British Columbia is eight hours behind, giving Canada six time zones.
6. It Has the Longest Coastline of Any Country
Including its islands, Canada's coastline is more than 200,000 km long, the longest in the world.
7. Ice Hockey Is the National Winter Sport
Hockey is a national passion, and Canada has produced many of the game's greatest players.
8. Lacrosse Is the National Summer Sport
Lacrosse originated as a game played by Indigenous peoples, and it was recognized, together with hockey, as one of Canada's national sports in 1994.
9. A Canadian Invented Basketball
James Naismith, from Almonte, Ontario, invented basketball in 1891 while teaching in Springfield, Massachusetts.
10. You Can See the Northern Lights
Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and northern parts of the provinces offer some of the best aurora viewing in the world.
11. Canada Produces Most of the World's Maple Syrup
Canada supplies around 70% of the world's maple syrup, and Quebec produces the vast majority of it.
12. Poutine Is a Canadian Classic
This Quebec comfort food combines fries, squeaky cheese curds, and hot gravy.
13. The Maple Leaf Is a National Symbol
The maple leaf appears on the national flag, adopted in 1965, as well as on coins and many national emblems.
14. The Name "Canada" Has Indigenous Roots
It comes from the St. Lawrence Iroquoian word "kanata," meaning village or settlement.
15. Canada Has the World's Northernmost Permanently Inhabited Place
Alert, a military and research station in Nunavut at about 82.5°N, is the northernmost permanently inhabited place on Earth.
16. Canada Has More Lakes Than Any Other Country
Canada has hundreds of thousands of lakes, more than any other country, from the Great Lakes it shares with the United States to the turquoise lakes of the Rockies.
17. The Telephone Was Conceived in Canada
Alexander Graham Bell developed the idea for the telephone at his family home in Brantford, Ontario, in 1874, and later made one of the first long-distance calls there.
18. Most Canadians Live Near the US Border
The majority of Canadians live within about 160 km of the border with the United States, where the climate is milder.
19. The Beaver Is the National Animal
The beaver, once central to the fur trade, is an official national symbol and appears on the five-cent coin.
20. Canada Recorded −63°C
The coldest temperature ever recorded in Canada, and North America, was −63°C in Snag, Yukon, in 1947.
Plan Your Trip to Canada
Read our Canada travel guide for the top attractions and tips. Stay connected from the moment you land with an egoViet Canada eSIM.
FAQs: Fun Facts About Canada
What languages are spoken in Canada?
English and French are Canada's two official languages.
What is Canada's national sport?
Canada has two national sports: ice hockey in winter and lacrosse in summer.
How many lakes does Canada have?
Canada has hundreds of thousands of lakes, more than any other country in the world.
What is poutine made of?
Poutine is made of fries, cheese curds, and gravy, sometimes with extra toppings.