Canada

Canada

Mountain lakes, temperate rainforests, prairie horizons and northern skies meet vibrant cities, living cultures and regional cooking.

Mountains & lake landscapesGlaciers, alpine trails and forest waters
Coasts & rainforestsOcean shores, temperate forests and marine life
Cities & living culturesContemporary communities, arts and regional heritage
Northern skies & tundraAurora, Arctic landscapes and seasonal light
Regional Canadian cookingMaple, salmon, seafood and local food traditions
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Travel to Canada

Canada is the world's second-largest country by total area, spanning Pacific rainforests, prairie grasslands, boreal lakes and Arctic tundra. First Nations, Inuit and Métis cultures are living and diverse, alongside English-speaking, French-speaking and immigrant communities. Vast distances make regional journeys more practical than trying to combine the country in one trip.

Toronto's neighbourhoods and Niagara Falls introduce southern Ontario, while Ottawa adds the national capital's museums and waterways. Algonquin Provincial Park offers forest lakes and canoe routes. Montréal and Québec City combine French-speaking urban life with architecture and food traditions, while Tadoussac opens onto the St Lawrence's whale habitats.

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10 + 3
Provinces & territories
Canada comprises 10 provinces and 3 territories. Nunavut, the Northwest Territories and Yukon are territories, not provinces or interchangeable tourism regions.
≈ 37.0 million
Population
Rounded from 36,991,981 people in the Statistics Canada census of 2021. A historical census count, not a current population estimate or projection.
≈ 9.98 million km²
Area
Rounded from the Statistics Canada total-area reference of 9,984,670 square kilometres, including freshwater. Total area is not the census land-area measure.
English & French
Languages
English and French are federal official languages. Provincial and territorial language arrangements differ, and individual bilingualism is not universal.
Indigenous & community languages
Other languages
First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities maintain distinct languages and varieties, including Cree, Inuktut and Michif. Immigrant communities add many other languages. Usage and official recognition vary by region.
Canadian dollar (CAD)
Currency
The currency code is CAD. Canadian and US dollars are different currencies. Confirm prices, payment currency, cash needs and card acceptance before remote trips.
A · B
Socket types
Plug types A and B. Confirm voltage, frequency and device compatibility with accommodation. A travel adaptor does not convert voltage.
Ottawa
Capital
Ottawa in Ontario is the national capital. Toronto is Ontario's provincial capital, not Canada's capital.
Right-hand traffic
Driving side
Traffic drives on the right. Long distances, winter roads, wildlife and limited remote services require planning. Check road closures, conditions and vehicle requirements locally.
UTC−8 to UTC−3:30
Time zones
Ottawa is shown initially. Regional clocks differ, including Newfoundland's half-hour offset. Yukon and most of British Columbia use UTC−7 year-round, while other regions may change clocks. Local exceptions apply, check your destination.

Canada on the map

Detailed map of Canada

Map data: geoBoundaries (CC BY 4.0), © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), Natural Earth

Climate and best time to travel

Canada has no single nationwide travel season. Coastal rain, prairie extremes, alpine snow and Arctic conditions differ sharply. Summer hiking, winter sports, autumn colour and aurora windows are regional planning guidance, not weather or access guarantees. Check Parks Canada and provincial park alerts, wildfire and smoke conditions, road closures, avalanche information and reservations. Remote and northern trips need suitable equipment, qualified guiding and community permissions.

Autumn colours & regional routesOntario, Québec & Cape BretonSepOct
BearsGreat Bear Rainforest, Knight Inlet & ChurchillMayJunJulAugSepOctNov
Cities & living culturesToronto, Ottawa, Montréal & Québec CityJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Mountain lakes & hikingBanff, Jasper, Whistler & Gros MorneJunJulAugSep
Northern skies & Arctic travelWhitehorse & YellowknifeSepOctNovDecJanFebMar
Salmon runsAdams River, Campbell River & Fraser ValleyAugSepOct
WhalesTadoussac, Victoria & TofinoMayJunJulAugSep
Wildlife & coastal forestsVancouver Island, Haida Gwaii & ChurchillJunJulAugSepOct
Winter sports & snowy landscapesWhistler, Banff & Lake LouiseDecJanFebMar

Destinations in Canada

12 of 29 destinations

More countries or territories in North America