CANADA AT A GLANCE
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1) Geographical features:
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– The world’s second largest country after Russian Federation.
– As per 2000 census, Population was 30.7 million.
– 36% of the total population stay in four major cities, as Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Ottawa.
– The ratio of male to female pop0ulation was 49.54:50.46.
– The literacy rate is a high of 99%.
– Main natural resources are – Wood, Water, Natural Gas, Oil, Gold, Uranium, Coal, Copper Iron Ore, Zinc and Potassium.
– 2 million lakes cover 7.6% of the Canada’s total landmass.
– There are four seasons: Summer, Autumn, Winter and Spring.
– Major religions followed are Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Sikhism, Islam and Buddhism.
– English and French are the major languages in Canada.
– Ice hockey is the national sport.
– Since majority of residents are immigrants, Canada characterizes cultural sophistication just like India.
2) Business and Employment avenues:
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– Agriculture, forestry, oil and petroleum, automobile, pulp and paper, iron and steel machinery and equipment manufacturing, mining and fossil fuels are leading industries and major exports.
– Immigrants who get employed rise to managerial level faster than US.
– Wage system is operational on hourly basis.
3) Major Provinces:
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– Obtrio, Toronto, Vancouver, British Colombia, Alberta, Quebec, Manitoba are the major provinces.
– Other provinces are – Edward Island, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Nova Scotia.
– 60% of the immigrants live in Ontario and almost 40% of Canadian population live in Ontario.
4) Family Income/cost of living:
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– Reasonable cost of living.
– As per 1998 census, average total income of a four person family with two wage earners was
CAD (Canadian Dollar) 75,530 per annum.
– For individual, the average total income was CAD 25,784 per annum.
– 40.6% of all paid workers are covered by a registered pension plan.
– As per the 1996 census, almost 73% of the families live in own premises.
5) Political Economic system:
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– Canadian constitution provides right of equality, mobility, legal freedom of speech and assembly.
– Parliamentary elections are held every four years.
– Immigrants are not treated as second-class citizens and rights are accorded as to canadian citizens.
– Canada has lowest inflation rate among the G-7 group countries.
– Unemployment rate has been steadily declining.
– Quality of life is better.
– United Nations has placed Canada among top three countries that measures quality of life.
– The World Bank has ranked Canadians the second wealthiest people in the world.
6) Education:
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– Education is affordable.
– School education is free of charge.
– Tuition costs for general courses at Canadian Universities range from $2500-4000 per annum.
– Universities offer an internationally renowned education.
– Campuses are safe and clean.
– There are more than 90 universities in Canada.
– Education system is comprehensive, diversified and available to everybody.
– Canada millennium scholarship foundation assists one lakh students every year.
– Education Savings Grants and Registered Education Savings Plan (CESG and RESP) are available for the benefits of the students.
– One million students are enrolled in technical institutes and community colleges every year.
– More than half of the population above 15 has had post secondary education. 9% had bachelors and 6% had advanced degrees.
– Children of permnent residents re entitled to scholarships, grants nd bank loans for higher education.
– Canada’s Universal healthcare system is available to all Canadian citizens and permanent citizens.
– Old age pension/Family allowance/Unemployment allowance/Family Welfare allowance/children allowance/maternity benefits/flexible wage system are available to all residents.
7) Law and Order:
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– Canada is safe, clean, civilized sophisticated country, as compared to North American and European countries.
– Crime rate is extremely low.
– Cosmopolitan atmosphere.
– All citizens and permanents enter USA without visa.
– Access to huge and diverse US Markets.
– Under NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement), Canadian citizens are permitted to work, trade, invest and sell in USA and Mexico without obtaining validated job offer, leading to Green Card, if they desire.
Researched by Maninder
