Canada: Difference between revisions

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==Government==
==Government==


Canada is a [[constitutional monarchy]] with [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Elizabeth II]] as head of state<ref>{{cite web |author=Heritage Canada |authorlink=Department of Canadian Heritage |publisher= Heritage Canada |url=http://www.pch.gc.ca/royalvisit2005/53_e.cfm |title=The Queen and Canada: 53 Years of Growing Together|date=[[2005-04-21]]|accessdate=2006-05-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Governor General of Canada |authorlink=Governor General of Canada |publisher= Governor General of Canada|url=http://www.gg.ca/gg/rr/index_e.asp |title=Role and Responsibilities of the Governor General|date=[[2005-12-06]]|accessdate=2006-05-14}}</ref>, and a [[parliamentary democracy]] with a [[federation|federal system]] of [[Parliament|parliamentary government]] and strong democratic traditions.  
Canada became an independant country in 1867.  Canada is composed of ten provinces and three territories.    The country is a [[constitutional monarchy]] with [[Elizabeth II]] as head of state and [[Prime Minister]] [[Stephen Harper]] as head of government.


==Political Divisions==
==Political Divisions==


Canada is composed of ten provinces and three territories. The provinces are [[Alberta]], [[British Columbia]], [[Manitoba]], [[New Brunswick]], [[Newfoundland and Labrador]], [[Nova Scotia]], [[Ontario]], [[Prince Edward Island]], [[Quebec]], and [[Saskatchewan]]. The three territories are the [[Northwest Territories]], [[Nunavut]], and [[Yukon|Yukon Territory]]. The provinces have a [[Canadian federalism|large degree of autonomy]] from the federal government, the territories somewhat less. Each has its own [[List of Canadian provincial and territorial symbols|provincial or territorial symbols]].
Canada is composed of ten provinces and three territories. The provinces are [[Alberta]], [[British Columbia]], [[Manitoba]], [[New Brunswick]], [[Newfoundland and Labrador]], [[Nova Scotia]], [[Ontario]], [[Prince Edward Island]], [[Quebec]], and [[Saskatchewan]]. The three territories are the [[Northwest Territories]], [[Nunavut]], and [[Yukon|Yukon Territory]]. The provinces have a large degree of autonomy from the federal government, the territories somewhat less. Each has its own provincial or territorial symbols.
 
All provinces have [[unicameral]], elected [[Legislative Assemblies of Canada's provinces and territories|legislatures]] headed by a [[premier (Canada)|Premier]] selected in the same way as the Prime Minister of Canada. Each province also has a [[Lieutenant-Governor (Canada)|Lieutenant-Governor]] representing the [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Queen]], analogous to the Governor General of Canada, appointed on the recommendation of the Prime Minister of Canada, though with increasing levels of consultation with provincial governments in recent years.


==Language==
==Language==


English and French are Canada's two official languages.  The [[Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms]] garuntees language rights in Canada.
English and French are Canada's two official languages.  The [[Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms]] garuntees language rights in Canada.

Revision as of 23:56, 12 February 2007

Canada is the world's second largest country by total area, occupying most of northern North America. Extending from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, Canada shares land borders with the United States to the south and to the northwest.

Government

Canada became an independant country in 1867. Canada is composed of ten provinces and three territories. The country is a constitutional monarchy with Elizabeth II as head of state and Prime Minister Stephen Harper as head of government.

Political Divisions

Canada is composed of ten provinces and three territories. The provinces are Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Saskatchewan. The three territories are the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon Territory. The provinces have a large degree of autonomy from the federal government, the territories somewhat less. Each has its own provincial or territorial symbols.

Language

English and French are Canada's two official languages. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms garuntees language rights in Canada.