Canada is a country occupying the northern portion of North America, and is the world's second largest country in total area.
Inhabited for at least ten millennia by aboriginal peoples, Canada was founded as a union of British colonies with significant French influence. A federal dominion of ten provinces with three territories, Canada peacefully obtained its sovereignty in a process beginning 1867 from its last colonial possessor, the United Kingdom.
Canada is governed as a parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy. Canada's head of state is its monarch, who is represented in Canada by the Governor General. The head of government is the Prime Minister. The federal Parliament was recently dissolved and a general election will be held on 23 January 2006.
Canada defines itself as a bilingual and multicultural nation. Both English and French are official languages of the country. In the early 1970s, Canada began to adopt policies based on the concepts of cultural diversity and multiculturalism. Many Canadians now view this as one of the country's key attributes.
A technologically advanced and industrialized nation, Canada is a net exporter of energy because of its large fossil fuel deposits, nuclear energy generation, and hydroelectric power capacity. Its diversified economy relies heavily on an abundance of natural resources and trade, particularly with the United States, with which it has had a long and complex relationship. cheap spanish holiday florida discounted dental care florida discount health care
