by Martha Sutton

Created on: April 29, 2008

Canada is so vast that it spans five time zones. So there is a pretty good possibility you will just be able to see a portion of it each time you visit. About 75% of Canadians live within 90 miles of the border with United States. Nunavit, Northwest Territories and Yukon (Canada's territories) are very sparsely populated. The total population of Canada is about 33 million. The railway is what opened up Canada, from east to west and today, you can still travel that trip in luxurious style. At www.viarail.ca, you can find out how to arrange a trip from Toronto west. I will try to give you a little taste of each area of Canada and take you from Atlantic to Pacific.

The far north is colder and frozen much of the year. It would be possible to arrange a trip to the really "Great White North", but it would have to be in summer. There are natural resources, superb hunting, great fishing and beauty in the north, but trips can be arranged with a guide and are expensive. For young people, this could be the trip of a lifetime. If nothing else, your friends will not have been there!

Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick comprise the Maritime Provinces. New Brunswick has a French element to it but the other Maritime Provinces are Gaelic in flavor Irish and Scottish. The people "Down East" are friendly, no nonsense folks who love to have a good time. Most can sing, play a musical instrument and dance. If you like to eat fish, are interested in lighthouses and enjoy the simple life, this is a great area for you!

Newfoundland/Labrador
Canada's newest province (1949) is one-half hour earlier than Nova Scotia. Newfoundland was originally inhabited by Vikings, over 500 years ago. Many people in coastal areas are fishermen. St. John's, the capital, is the most easterly city in North America. This is a modern city with lots of tourist attractions, Memorial University, a beautiful harbor and some of the most wonderful, fun-loving people in the world. The terrain is craggy and summer is short.

Nova Scotia.
This province is terrific for a driving tour! There is Cape Breton Island (Sydney) and the mainland (Halifax, the capital). Singer Anne Murray was born in Springhill, Nova Scotia and you can visit her Museum and Shop there. You can drive around the Cabot Trail on Cape Breton Island, with all its gift shops, Rita MacNeil's Tea Room and a fresh view of rolling hills and water round every curve. At Louisbourg, you can listen to a concert by the Men of the Deeps

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