Canada
Canada
- Capital
- Ottawa
- Population
- 38,005,238
- Region
- Americas
- Languages
- English, French
Canada is home to the world's only town with a name containing two exclamation points, Saint-Louis-du-Ha! Ha!, located in Quebec. The unusual punctuation is believed to derive from an archaic French word, 'haha,' which refers to an unexpected obstacle or dead end encountered during travel. In a different display of hospitality, the town of St. Paul, Alberta, constructed the world's first UFO landing pad in 1967. This landmark was built to signify that space is open to all and to encourage intergalactic tourism as a gesture of peace.
Currency
The official currency is the Canadian Dollar, identified by the ISO code CAD. In a unique move to modernize its physical tender, the nation transitioned from paper to polymer banknotes in 2011 to increase durability and incorporate advanced security features like transparent holographic windows.
Flag symbolism
The National Flag of Canada, often called the Maple Leaf, features a red field with a white square at its center containing a stylized 11-pointed leaf. The red borders represent the sacrifices made during World War I, while the white symbolizes the peace and neutrality often associated with the nation's winter snows. King George V officially designated red and white as the national colors in 1921, drawing from the Cross of Saint George and the royal emblem of France. The maple leaf itself has served as a cultural symbol since the 1700s, representing the indigenous nature of the land and its people.
Emblem history
The Royal Coat of Arms of Canada was closely modeled after the arms of the United Kingdom but includes distinct symbols of its diverse founding heritages. It features a shield divided into five sections representing England, Scotland, Ireland, France, and the Canadian maple leaf. The shield is supported by a lion and a unicorn, which carry the Union Jack and the fleur-de-lis of Royal France respectively. At the base, a blue ribbon bears the Latin motto 'A Mari Usque Ad Mare,' which translates to 'From Sea to Sea,' reflecting the nation's vast reach across the continent.