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. Canada repatriated its constitution from the UK in 1982, severing a final colonial tie. Economically and technologically, the nation has developed in parallel with the US, its neighbor to the south across the world's longest international border. Canada faces the political challenges of meeting public demands for quality improvements in health care, education, social services, and economic competitiveness, as well as responding to the particular concerns of 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

Tlightly larger than the US

Maritime Claims

Territorial sea: 12 nm

Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Contiguous zone: 24 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

Population Distribution

Vast majority of Canadians are positioned in a discontinuous band within approximately 300 km of the southern border with the United States; the most populated province is Ontario, followed by Quebec and British Columbia

Natural Hazards

Array

Environment Current Issues

Metal smelting, coal-burning utilities, and vehicle emissions impacting agricultural and forest productivity; air pollution and resulting acid rain severely affecting lakes and damaging forests; 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, 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

Note 1: second-largest country in world (after Russia) and largest in the Americas; strategic location between Russia and US via north polar route; approximately 90% of the population is concentrated within 160 km (100 mi) of the US border note 2

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Map Reference

North America

Irrigated Land

8,700 sq km

Area 2020

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 2020

Agricultural Land
6.8%
Arable Land
4.7%
Forest
34.1%
Other
59.1%

Terrain

Mostly plains with mountains in west
Lowlands in southeast

Elevation

Mean Elevation: 487 m
Lowest Point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
Highest Point: Mount Logan 5,959 m

Land Boundaries

Total
8,893 km
US
8893 km
(includes km
with km

Natural Resources

Bauxite
Iron ore
Nickel
Zinc
Copper
Gold
Lead
Rare earth elements
Molybdenum
Potash

Diamonds
Silver
Fish
Timber
Wildlife
Coal
Petroleum
Natural gas
Hydropower

Canada