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Background: A land of vast distances and rich natural resources, Canada
became a self-governing dominion in 1867 while retaining ties to the British
crown. Economically and technologically the nation has developed in parallel
with the US, its neighbor to the south across an unfortified border. Its
paramount political problem continues to be the relationship of the province
of Quebec, with its French-speaking residents and unique culture, to the
remainder of the country.
Location: Northern North America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean
and North Pacific Ocean, north of the conterminous US
Area:
Total: 9,976,140 sq km
Land: 9,220,970 sq km
Water: 755,170 sq km
Land Boundaries:
Total: 8,893 km
Border Countries:
US 8,893 km (includes 2,477 km with Alaska)
Coastline: 243,791 km
Elevation Extremes:
Lowest Point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
Highest Point: Mount Logan 5,959 m
Population: 31,281,092 (July 2000 est.)
Ethnic Groups: British Isles origin 28%, French origin 23%,
other European 15%, Amerindian 2%, other, mostly Asian, African, Arab 6%,
mixed background 26%
Languages: English 59.3% (official), French 23.2% (official), other 17.5%
Information courtesy of the
CIA World Factbook.
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