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Canada Canada is the world's second-largest country. It is diverse in its geography, climate, wildlife,
economy and people. The country
is full of contrasts and provides
mystery, variety and challenges
for all who reside in and visit this
great land.
Latin “A Mari Usque Ad Mare” (“From Sea to
Sea”) is the country’s motto that can be explained
literally in that it extends from the Atlantic Ocean
to the Pacific Ocean, and northward into the Arctic
Ocean with claims extending to the North
Pole. It could also be a way of saying that it has everything
in between: massive mountains, golden
prairies, sculptured ice, dense forest, indomitable
wilderness, sophisticated cities, farmland, parkland,
valleys, rivers, lakes, oceans, arctic tundra,
and sand dunes. All of this and more is Canada.
There are two official languages in Canada:
English and French. The second is only used in
the province of Quebec. This fabulous country
is called home by a wide variety of people with
their many races and religions. These people
create extraordinary customs and character.
The name of the country originates from Kanata
which means village–a fitting name considering
the sense of home Canadians share.
The National Anthem
of Canada
The Canadian Anthem ‘O Canada’ is based on
Justice Robert Stanley Weir’s lyrics written in
1908. The music is by well-known composer
Calixa Lavallée. It was proclaimed Canada’s
national anthem on July 1, 1980.
Official English Lyrics:
O Canada! Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
Official French lyrics:
Ô Canada! Terre de nos aïeux,
Ton front est ceint de fleurons glorieux !
Car ton bras sait porter l’épée,
Il sait porter la croix;
Ton histoire est une épopée
Des plus brillants exploits.
Et ta valeur de foi trempée
Protégera nos foyers et nos droits;
Protégera nos foyers et nos droits.
Toronto or Ottawa?
If we ask the man on the street what the capital
of Canada is, he will undoubtedly make a common
mistake. Eighty percent of people claim
that Toronto is the capital instead of Ottawa.
The misunderstanding is caused by the fact that
Toronto is the largest city in Canada.
The second reason for this common mistake is
that Toronto is the financial center and ‘economic
engine’ of the country.
What also makes Toronto a visual experience
unrivalled by any other city is the way it combines
old-world charm with modern cosmopolitan
character.
If we want to start any sightseeing expedition
it should begin from Toronto’s CN Tower. It is
one of the most spectacular landmarks in the
world and it is the world’s tallest freestanding
structure (reaching 553 meters into the sky), almost
twice as tall as the Eiffel Tower.
Next to the CN Tower you can see another magnificent
structure, the Sky Dome (known also as
the Rogers Centre), a multi-purpose stadium with
a fully retractable motorized roof. Other places in
Toronto that are worth seeing are Toronto’s City
Hall, the second largest Stock Exchange in North
America, Paramount Canada’s Wonderland
amusement park, Ontario Science Centre (a cross
between a museum and a pinball arcade), and the
gorgeous Eaton Centre shopping mall.
World-renowned attractions
Apart from the CN Tower, Sky Dome and other
places mentioned above. Canada is the home of:
a) Niagara Falls
If we ask both Americans and Canadians what
is the most incredible and fabulous place in
their country and where the most film is sold,
both nations will probably mention one of the
Seven Wonders of the World: Niagara Falls. If
you are wondering who really owns the abovementioned
place, you will see that no one is lying–
Niagara Falls is located on the border between
the United States and Canada.
Niagara Falls is a set of tremendous waterfalls.
It is a natural wonder of beauty and majesty that
has thrilled and inspired aesthetic thrill-seekers
and lovers since man first beheld it.
The strange name was given to the waterfall
by the Native People because they heard the
roar long before they actually saw the Falls. It
sounded like continual thunder so they named
it Onguiaahra (later Niagara) which means
“Great Thunderer of Waters.”
Niagara Falls comprises three separate waterfalls:
the Horseshoe Falls (Canadian Falls), the
American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls.
If Canadians and Americans were to compete
for whose view of Niagara is better–then Canadians
would definitely win. Americans cannot
see all three Falls.
b) Butchart Gardens
Canada is not only famous for its natural beauty.
We can also find places that are beautiful
thanks to human intervention. Butchart Gardens
are an example of this. Once the site was
just an empty quarry. Nowadays it holds gardens
which have been rated among the most
beautiful in the world. Nearly one million people
from around the world visit this site each
year to enjoy the exquisite beauty, floral variety
and entertainment.
c) Green Gables
We were all brought up on Lucy Maud Montgomery’s
book, “Anne of Green Gables.” And
it is not only Poland that loves the charming
Anne–the book has been translated into 20 languages.
People travel all over the world to see
the site that inspired the famous tale of their
beloved Anne. Touring through the delightful
farmhouse is like visiting a place from your
childhood. There is no need for a tour guide
to explain which room is which–there is Matthew’s
room, the pantry and, of course, Anne’s
room, where readers learned so much about the
heavy-hearted girl.
Canada’s seasons follow the theme of contrast,
challenge and beauty that the country portrays
through all of its features. If variety is the spice
of life, then Canadians are the most alive people
on the globe. We could consider seasons
as metaphors and I think that it is winter that
reminds Canadians that they live in a land of
both splendid luxuries and harsh realities. It is
this mixture that shapes the personality of Canada
and its people.Justyna Olszewska
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