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Like the country's landscape, Canada's people are also varied. About 40 per cent of all Canadians are of British descent, and about 27 percent of French. About 15 per cent of Canada's people speak both English and French, the nation's two official languages. Other ethnic groups in Canada include people of German, Italian, or Ukrainian descent. Indians and Eskimos, the original people of Canada, make up about 2 per cent of the nation's population.
Over three-fourths of Canada's people live in cities or towns. Montreal and Toronto are the two largest cities in Canada. Ottawa is the nation's capital.
Canada is a federation (union) of 10 provinces and 2 terri tories. Canada is an independent, self-governing nation. How ever, Canadians recognize Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain as queen of Canada.
Canada has two official languages, English and French. The Official Languages Act of 1969 guarantees all Canadians the right to communicate with the national government in either French or English. About 67 per cent of the Canadian people speak only English.
Today, each province and territory in Canada has its own school system. The school systems of most of the provinces have 12 grades. The systems of Quebec and Newfoundland have 11 grades, and those of Ontario have 13. The school system of Quebec consists of separate schools for Roman Catholics and Protestants. Most of the Catholic schools teach in French, and most Protestant schools use English.
In all except three of the universities in Quebec, classes are Agriculture, mining, shipping, and tourism also have an important role in its economy.
Quebec differs greatly from the rest of Canada because of its French language and culture. Quebec is the largest province in area and the second largest in population. Only Ontario has more people. Montreal , Quebec 's largest city, is the hub of the province's economic and cultural life. The largest industries in the Quebec region are manufacturing and service industries, such as banks, hospitals, and advertising agencies.
Ontario has a larger population than any other Canadian province. About a third of the nation's people live there. The southern boundary of Ontario passes through four of the five Great Lakes - Superior, Huron, Erie and Ontario. Ontario produces about half of Canada's manufactured goods and also ranks as the leading agricultural province. Toronto, the capital and largest city of Ontario, is the most important manufacturing, financial, cultural, and communications center in English - speaking Canada.
For years, the economy of the Prairie Provinces was based on agriculture. The region still produces most of Canada's grain and cattle. Calgary, Edmonton, and Winnipeg are the largest cities in the Prairie Provinces.
British Columbia lies on the Pacific Ocean. The province's largest city, Vancouver, has Canada's busiest port. Evergreen forests cover much of British Columbia and many of the people work in the logging and wood-processing industries. Other major economic activities in British Columbia include agriculture, fishing, and mining. The natural beauty of the region attracts many tourists.
The Yukon Territory and the North-west Territories make up more than a third of Canada 's land area. However, because of the remote location and severe climate, less than 1 per cent of the nation's people live there. Eskimos and Indians made up almost all the entire population of the territories until gold was discovered during the late 1800's. The territories have rich mineral deposits, and mining is the chief economic activity.
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