Canada

Canada is a country in North America, comprising ten provinces and three territories that stretch from the Atlantic to the Pacific and into the Arctic Ocean. It is the second-largest country by total area and has the longest coastline of any nation. With over 41 million people, Canada has diverse population densities, predominantly in urban areas. Its capital is Ottawa, and its major metropolitan areas include Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver.

Indigenous peoples have inhabited Canada for thousands of years. Following European exploration in the 16th century, British and French settlements led to significant territorial changes, especially after the French ceded their North American colonies in 1763. Canada became a federal dominion in 1867 and gradually gained independence, culminating in the Canada Act of 1982.

Canada is a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy, with a prime minister as the head of government. Officially bilingual, it is known for its high rankings in government transparency, quality of life, and education, as well as its ethnic diversity and multiculturalism. As a developed nation with a robust economy reliant on natural resources, Canada actively supports multilateralism and peacekeeping efforts globally.