Canada, geographically speaking

Canada is the most northerly country of the Americas and the second largest country in the world. It borders the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the Pacific Ocean on the west, the Arctic Ocean to the north and the United States of America (USA) on the South. It spans a total area that covers almost ten million square kilometers (9,984,670 sq km). 

To put it into clear perspective, Canada could contain 18 countries the size of France or 40 United Kingdoms (UK), and has six time zones. Canada also has the longest coastline of any country.Canada is a mosaic of regions from the rugged mountains of the West, to the farm communities of the prairies, to the Industrial and political powerhouse of Ontario, to the modern French culture of Québec, to the quaint fishing communities of the east coast, and everything in between. The beauty and diversity of Canada are proud icons of what Canada has become.Most of the country is made up of plains, with mountains in the west and prairies in the southeast. 

Approximately 90 per cent of the over 31 million people living in Canada are located within 160 km of the US border and about 75% of the total population lives in major cities or towns. There are more lakes and inland waters in Canada than in any other country. There are over 2 million lakes in Canada which translates into 7.6% (755,180 sq km) of fresh water.Canada is divided into 10 provinces and 3 territories. The north most part of Canada extends into the frigid Arctic Circle, while the furthermost southern parts stretch below the US border. 

Canada and the United States share many geographic characteristics in common such as the Rocky Mountains, four of the Great Lakes, the Appalachian Highlands, and various rivers.Canada has a boreal climate. Winters are cold with average temperatures ranging between -2.5oC and -10oC and summers are relatively warm by comparison, with temperatures ranging between 16oC and 28oC in the southern regions. Canadian temperature has climbed up to a scorching 35 degrees Celsius in the summer and has descended to a glacial -25 degrees Celsius during winter.

British Columbia receives the most temperate climate in all of Canada. It rarely snows in the low-lying areas, and the Coastal Range and the Rocky Mountains prevent the Pacific air from traveling to the Prairies. The Canadian Prairies traverse east from the Rocky Mountains all the way to the Great Lakes. Farming is a major industry in this part of the Country. Cold winters and muggy, hot, summers are common. 

Ample spring rainfalls and clement autumns make the Prairies one of the top grain-growing areas of the world.More than half of Canada's population lives near the Great Lakes or along the St. Lawrence River. Winter is very snowy and wind-chilled, while summers are humid and longer than anywhere else in Canada. There's enough rainfall to sufficiently sustain the region's sizable farm industry.This territory is quite inclement and has one of the most capricious weather systems anywhere in the country. In winter, temperatures can vary tempestuously as the Arctic's breath is replaced by maritime air from cursory storms. Snowfall is relatively strong, and fog is frequently present in spring and at the beginning of the short summer season. July is the warmest month of the year and averages temperatures between 16 to 21 degrees Celsius.

North of the Prairies and the St. Lawrence is an expansive hyperborean forest. This area is snow-capped most of the year, and summer lingers for approximately two months. Above the tree-line lies the Arctic. Temperatures there rise above freezing only for a few weeks a year, and the ground is permanently frozen.