Canada covers about two-fifths of the North American continent and is the world's second largest country, right after Russia. At the same time, this huge land is also one of the least densely populated countries, with most of its population centered along a strip of 180 miles that runs along Canada's border with the United States. In fact, three quarters of Canada's population live in cities, with Toronto being the most densely populated city of all. The Canadian Shield is a rocky area of forests, lakes and wilderness that surrounds Hudson Bay and spreads out over just about half the entire area of Canada. This Shield divides the eastern and western parts of the country.

           The Atlantic Canadian provinces lie to the east of the Shield and include two islands: Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island, Canada's smallest province. The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence lowlands lie to the south and southeast of the Canadian Shield and this is where most Canadians live. Two major cities-Toronto and Montreal-are found in this area, as well as the capital of Canada, Ottawa. The provinces of Ontario and Quebec contain the major industrial and manufacturing centers of Canada. Farmlands and ranching areas of the Western Plains are situated west of the Canadian Shield and the Rocky Mountains. This is an area of fertile, rolling lands and contains Canada's "grain belt," so important to the agriculture of the country. Even further west is the Western Cordillera mountain range. The western coast of Canada is covered with deep fjords and inlets and way up north you will find the tundra that is above the tree line. There are also some Canadian islands in the Arctic Ocean, the biggest one covering an area that is larger than California. That one is called Baffin Island.

           While most people speak English throughout Canada, French is considered the official language in the province of Quebec. (You can read more about French-speaking Canada on our French geography and culture site.)

           Ice hockey is by far the most important sport in Canada and hockey players are heroes to the Canadian people. Thousands of fans gather at the ice rinks on Saturday nights to watch the players compete. Other popular winter sports include skiing, ice-skating, snowshoeing and tobogganing. The favorite summer sports include baseball, volleyball and soccer.