GeoFroggy

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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. Canada faces the political challenges of meeting public demands for quality improvements in health care and education services, as well as responding to separatist concerns in predominantly francophone Quebec. Canada also aims to develop its diverse energy resources while maintaining its commitment to the environment.

Location

Northern North America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean on the east, North Pacific Ocean on the west, and the Arctic Ocean on the north, north of the conterminous US

Area Comparative

Somewhat larger than the US

Maritime Claims

Territorial sea: 12 nm

Contiguous zone: 24 nm

Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Climate

Varies from temperate in south to subarctic and arctic in north

Natural Hazards

Continuous permafrost in north is a serious obstacle to development; cyclonic storms form east of the Rocky Mountains, a result of the mixing of air masses from the Arctic, Pacific, and North American interior, and produce most of the country's rain and snow east of the mountains

Environment Current Issues

Air pollution and resulting acid rain severely affecting lakes and damaging forests; metal smelting, coal-burning utilities, and vehicle emissions impacting on agricultural and forest productivity; ocean waters becoming contaminated due to agricultural, industrial, mining, and forestry activities

Environment International Agreements

Party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

Signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Marine Life Conservation

Geography Note

Second-largest country in world (after Russia); strategic location between Russia and US via north polar route; approximately 90% of the population is concentrated within 160 km of the US border

Year	2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Map Reference

North America

Irrigated Land 2003

7,850 sq km

Area 2008

Total

9,984,670 sq km
Land

9,093,507 sq km
Water

891,163 sq km

Coastline

202,080 km

Geographical Coordinates

60 00 N, 95 00 W

Land use 2008

Arable Land
4.57%
Permanent Crops
0.65%
Other
94.78%

Terrain

Mostly plains with mountains in west and lowlands in southeast

Elevation

Lowest Point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
Highest Point: Mount Logan 5,959 m

Land Boundaries

Total
8,893 km
US
8,893 km
(includes km
with km

Natural Resources

Iron ore
Nickel
Zinc
Copper
Gold
Lead
Molybdenum
Potash
Diamonds

Silver
Fish
Timber
Wildlife
Coal
Petroleum
Natural gas
Hydropower

Canada