Canada is full of surprising, charming, and sometimes hilarious facts that make it one of the most interesting countries in the world. Here are some fun facts to impress your friends and neighbours as you settle into your new home!
Canada is bigger than the entire European Union — and yet has only about 40 million people, roughly the population of California.
The beaver is Canada's national animal — once hunted nearly to extinction for its fur, the beaver is now a protected symbol of Canadian industriousness and perseverance.
Canada has the world's longest coastline — stretching approximately 202,080 kilometres, it's longer than the coastlines of any other country on Earth.
The CN Tower in Toronto was the world's tallest free-standing structure — from 1975 to 2007. It still dominates Toronto's skyline and draws millions of visitors every year.
Canada invented basketball — well, a Canadian did. James Naismith from Almonte, Ontario invented the game in 1891 while working in Springfield, Massachusetts. Canada is very proud of this!
The word 'Eh?' is real — Canadians really do use 'eh' at the end of sentences, though perhaps not as much as stereotypes suggest. It's used to invite agreement or check that someone is following along, eh?
Canada has the most lakes in the world — approximately 2 million lakes, holding about 20% of the world's fresh surface water. You're never far from water in Canada!
You can mail a letter to Santa Claus — Canada Post assigns Santa his very own postal code: H0H 0H0. Children from around the world send letters to Santa at the North Pole, Canada, and they actually receive a reply!
The Canadian $1 coin is called a 'loonie' — because it features a loon (a water bird) on its reverse side. The $2 coin is called a 'toonie.' Canadians love their coin nicknames.
Canadians say 'sorry' a lot — and they mean it. Canada ranks among the most polite countries in the world. You'll find people apologizing when they bump into a door. It's genuine, not performative!
We hope this guide helps you feel more at home in Canada. Welcome — and good luck on your new adventure!
References & Useful Links
- Canadian Heritage — Learn about Canada's symbols, holidays, and national identity
- Statistics Canada — Official statistics on Canada's population, geography, and economy
- The Canadian Encyclopedia — Comprehensive reference on all things Canadian
- Destination Canada — Discover unique Canadian experiences and destinations