145 Fun Facts About Canada That Will Astonish

Canada is a vast country with endless wonders, quirks, and hidden stories waiting to be explored.

From breathtaking natural landscapes to fascinating cultural traditions, there’s something about Canada that captivates everyone.

Here, we’ll dive into 145 fun facts about Canada that celebrate its uniqueness, from coast to coast.

Canada’s Amazing Geography

Canada is the second-largest country in the world, covering 9.98 million square kilometers.
With nearly 202,080 kilometers of coastline, Canada boasts the longest coastline of any country on Earth.
More than 60% of the world’s lakes are located in Canada, making it a freshwater paradise.
Canada’s national parks are enormous—Wood Buffalo National Park alone is larger than Switzerland!
The Rocky Mountains, stretching from British Columbia to Alberta, are one of Canada’s most stunning natural wonders.
Nunavut, one of Canada’s territories, has the world’s longest archipelago with 36,000 islands.
Canada is home to three oceans: the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic, each with unique ecosystems.
The Great Lakes in Canada contain 18% of the world’s fresh surface water.
Canada has the highest number of polar bears globally, especially in Churchill, Manitoba, known as the “Polar Bear Capital of the World.”
Over 30% of Canada’s landmass is forested, creating incredible biodiversity.
The northern lights, or aurora borealis, are visible from several regions in Canada, especially in the Northwest Territories.
Canada has more oil reserves than most people know, ranking third in the world, mainly in Alberta.
Lake Superior, shared with the U.S., is the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area.
Hudson Bay is so massive it creates a gravitational anomaly, pulling less on objects.
The Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia has the highest tides in the world, with rises of up to 16 meters.

Canada’s Wildlife Wonders

Canada is home to some of the most diverse wildlife, including caribou, moose, beavers, and bison.
The beaver is Canada’s national animal and a symbol of hard work and ingenuity.
Canada has around 2.4 million caribou roaming across various regions.
The Atlantic puffin is a beloved bird species found mainly on Canada’s east coast.
Black bears, grizzly bears, and polar bears all inhabit different parts of Canada.
The rare spirit bear, a white-coated black bear, lives in British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest.
Canada has one of the largest herds of free-roaming bison in the world in Wood Buffalo National Park.
Over 400 bird species migrate through Canada each year.
The Canadian lynx is famous for its distinctive ear tufts and thrives in northern forests.
Canada’s waters are a haven for marine animals, including belugas, orcas, and humpback whales.
Canada is a prime spot for bald eagles, especially in British Columbia.
Monarch butterflies travel to Canada during summer, making an incredible migration.
The country has about 20% of the world’s wilderness areas.
Wolves can be found in many parts of Canada, from coastal islands to deep forests.
The pronghorn, one of the world’s fastest animals, can be found in Canada’s prairie provinces.

Historical Facts

Canada became a country on July 1, 1867, now celebrated as Canada Day.
The indigenous peoples of Canada have lived here for over 10,000 years.
The name “Canada” comes from “Kanata,” a Huron-Iroquois word meaning “village” or “settlement.”
The iconic Canadian Pacific Railway was completed in 1885, connecting east to west.
Quebec City is one of the oldest cities in North America, founded in 1608.
The first female Canadian senator, Cairine Wilson, was appointed in 1930.
Canada was the first country to introduce multiculturalism as an official policy in 1971.
The Hudson’s Bay Company, founded in 1670, is the oldest commercial corporation in North America.
During WWII, Canada played a vital role in the D-Day landings in Normandy.
Canada’s maple leaf flag was adopted in 1965 after decades of debate.
The Battle of Vimy Ridge in 1917 is considered a defining moment for Canada.
In 1982, Canada gained full sovereignty from the United Kingdom.
The RCMP, or Mounties, were created in 1873 as a national law enforcement agency.
Canada was an integral part of the North American fur trade, driving exploration.
The Klondike Gold Rush in 1896 attracted people worldwide to Canada’s Yukon.

Canadian Culture and Traditions

Canada is known for its politeness, with “sorry” and “thank you” frequently used.
Tim Hortons is a beloved coffee chain, founded in Ontario by a former hockey player.
Poutine, a dish of fries, cheese curds, and gravy, originated in Quebec.
Maple syrup production is a Canadian specialty, with Quebec producing 70% of the world’s supply.
Thanksgiving in Canada is celebrated on the second Monday of October, earlier than in the U.S.
The Canadian tuxedo (denim jacket and jeans) is a classic Canadian fashion choice.
Ice hockey is Canada’s national winter sport and a cultural institution.
Canada has two official languages: English and French.
Every year, Canada gifts a Christmas tree to Boston as a thank-you for help after the Halifax Explosion.
Canadian music legends include Leonard Cohen, Celine Dion, and Drake.
Many cities in Canada celebrate multiculturalism with festivals, like Toronto’s Caribana.
The loonie and toonie, Canada’s $1 and $2 coins, are distinctively Canadian.
Lacrosse is Canada’s official summer sport.
The Tragically Hip, an iconic Canadian band, is beloved across the country.
Canada’s national motto is “A Mari Usque Ad Mare,” meaning “From Sea to Sea.”

Canadian Inventions and Innovations

Basketball was invented by a Canadian, Dr. James Naismith, in 1891.
Insulin, a life-saving drug for diabetes, was discovered by Canadians in 1921.
The Canadarm, a robotic arm for space missions, was developed by Canadians.
Canada gave the world the modern snowmobile, invented by Joseph-Armand Bombardier.
IMAX technology, revolutionizing movie experiences, is a Canadian invention.
Standard time zones were developed by Canadian Sir Sandford Fleming.
The first heart pacemaker was invented in Canada in 1950.
Canada pioneered the concept of green roofing to insulate and cool buildings.
The electric wheelchair was invented by Canadian George Klein.
The Wonderbra, known for its support and lift, was invented in Canada.
The iconic phone handset was developed by Canadian Alexander Graham Bell.
Canola oil, a heart-healthy oil, was developed in Canada.
Poutine, a favorite Canadian dish, inspired a whole genre of comfort food worldwide.
The jolly holiday character Santa Claus received his “HOH OHO” postal code in Canada.
The first computerized weather prediction model was developed in Canada.

Canadian Celebrities and Icons

Ryan Reynolds, known for “Deadpool,” is one of Canada’s beloved Hollywood exports.
Celine Dion, from Quebec, is a global music legend.
Jim Carrey, the comedian and actor, hails from Newmarket, Ontario.
Margaret Atwood, author of “The Handmaid’s Tale,” is a Canadian literary icon.
Keanu Reeves, loved globally, was raised in Toronto.
Shania Twain, the queen of country-pop, is from Ontario.
Drake, the world-famous rapper, proudly represents Toronto.
Pamela Anderson, known for “Baywatch,” was born in British Columbia.
Wayne Gretzky, “The Great One,” is a Canadian hockey legend.
Justin Bieber, the pop sensation, is from Stratford, Ontario.
Kiefer Sutherland, known for “24,” was born in London, England, but raised in Canada.
Sandra Oh, from “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Killing Eve,” hails from Ottawa.
Michael J. Fox, star of “Back to the Future,” is a Canadian treasure.
Christopher Plummer, the legendary actor, was Canadian-born.
Rachel McAdams, known for “The Notebook,” is from London, Ontario.

Bonus Facts about Canada

Canada has six time zones.
The Canadian $100 bill is made of polymer plastic.
You can mail a letter anywhere in Canada using just a stamp featuring Queen Elizabeth II.
Nunavut has its own time zone: Central Standard Time without daylight savings.
Canada is home to the largest mall in North America, the West Edmonton Mall.
Toronto’s PATH system is the largest underground shopping complex in the world.
Canada has a city called Dildo in Newfoundland.
The famous Royal Canadian Mounted Police, or Mounties, have been around since 1873.
Each province has its own tartan pattern.
The tallest mountain in Canada is Mount Logan in Yukon.
Canada has its own desert in Osoyoos, British Columbia.
Snowstorms in Canada can yield over 100 cm of snow.
Vancouver is one of the few places in Canada that rarely gets snow.
Canada’s only walled city, Quebec City, is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Royal Tyrrell Museum in Alberta has one of the largest dinosaur exhibits.
Canada’s boreal forest is one of the largest in the world.
Many towns in Canada hold festivals dedicated to weird themes.
Niagara Falls is split between Canada and the United States.
Canada has one of the highest life expectancies in the world.
The snowblower was invented in Canada.
The largest recorded snowflake was found in Canada.
Canada is one of the safest countries to live in.
Toronto is one of the most diverse cities globally.
The metric system is standard in Canada.
Many Canadians celebrate Halloween in a big way.
Canadian milk is sold in bags in some regions.
Canada’s prime minister has an official residence at 24 Sussex Drive.
In Alberta, you can see dinosaur footprints at Dinosaur Provincial Park.
There’s a large Ukrainian population in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
Ottawa is known for its tulip festival, celebrating ties with the Netherlands.
Canada’s national dish, poutine, is famous worldwide.
The Parliament building in Ottawa is iconic with its Peace Tower.
Some provinces have strict recycling laws.
Moose are often spotted in rural areas.
Canadians love winter sports.
Canada has friendly and welcoming immigration policies.
Vancouver has a massive film industry, nicknamed “Hollywood North.”
Canada’s highest tides are found in Nova Scotia’s Bay of Fundy.
Montreal has an underground city to escape the cold.
The Canadian Shield covers much of Canada’s landscape.
Stereotypical “eh” phrase is common in Canadian English.
The government provides free healthcare to citizens.
The CN Tower in Toronto was once the tallest structure in the world.
Most of Canada’s population lives within 100 miles of the U.S. border.
PEI is known for its red sandy beaches.
Canada has strict gun laws.
Canada celebrates July 1 as Canada Day.
Yukon has Canada’s largest ice field.
Montreal is the second-largest French-speaking city after Paris.
You’ll find bilingual signs in most areas of Quebec.