Canada has the largest surface area in the world after the former U. S. S. R., but it is rather sparsely populated. Most Canadians live in the south, within about 500 kilometers of the border with the U.S.A.
The far north of Canada lies within the Arctic Circle, where the winters are long and bitterly cold. Eskimos live in the Arctic, a region where it is too cold even for trees to grow. South of that region is a vast area with many forests and lakes.
The more populated part of southern Canada stretches about 5 000 kilometers from east to west. Here are found valuable forests, rich deposits of minerals, and various manufacturing industries. Behind the coastal region lie the high Rocky Mountains which are very popular with tourists.
To the east of the Rockies are vast grasslands, called prairies, where cattle are reared and a large amount of wheat is grown. Coal and oil also come from this area. In southeastern Canada is the important lowland region around the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River. This region is the Chief farming and manufacturing area in Canada. Mining is also important and well developed there. And this is where Canada's two largest cities, Toronto and Montreal, as well as the capital, Ottawa, are located.
English and French are the official languages. About 45 out of every 100 Canadians are descended from British people, and about 29 are of French origin. The country is divided into ten provinces and two thinly populated territories. It has a central government, with a parliament, headed by a prime minister.
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