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| Travel » Canada Travel Guide |
Canada Travel Guide
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 Canada Visa & Embassy Info »
Population: 31.28 million
Capital City: Ottawa
Languages: English, French
Religion: Catholic (45%), Protestant (36%), minorities from the world's major religions
Government: Constitutional Monarchy
Time Zone: GMT/UTC -3.5 (Newfoundland Standard Time), GMT/UTC -4 (Atlantic Standard Time), GMT/UTC -5 (Eastern Standard Time), GMT/UTC -7 (Mountain Standard Time), GMT/UTC -8 (Pacific Standard Time), GMT/UTC -6 (Central Standard Time)
Dialling Code: 1
Electricity: 110-120V, 60Hz
Weights & measures: Metric
Money & Costs:
Currency: Canadian Dollar |
Meals
Budget: C$7-15
Mid-range: C$15-30
High: C$30-40
Top: C$40+ |
Accommodation:
Budget: C$20-40
Mid-range: C$40-70
High: C$70-100
Top: C$100+ |
Widely different income levels in Canada mean you can find accommodation, food and entertainment to suit any budget. In general the three northern territories are the costliest, followed by Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia. Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Québec and Atlantic Canada will put the least pressure on your wallet. For most visitors, the largest expense will be accommodation. Food prices are generally much lower than those in Western Europe, but are a little higher than those in the USA. If you stay in budget accommodation and eat in cafes, expect to spend around US$45 a day, not including long-distance transport. If you stay in motels and eat at restaurants occasionally, you're looking at around US$80 a day.
A 7% Goods & Services Tax (GST) is applicable to all transport, accommodation, restaurant meals and just about anything else you're likely to purchase, including newspapers. On top of this, in most of Canada, a provincial sales tax also must be paid. This can, in some provinces, add 15% to the quoted price, so factor it into your expenses so you don't get a nasty surprise at the cash register.
Geography: Canada is second-largest country in world (after Russia) and approximately 90% of the population is concentrated within 160 km of the US border. Ottawa is Canada’s capital located on the tip of Ontario. Toronto is Canada’s largest city and is extremely multicultural. Here is where the world’s tallest freestanding structure, the CN Tower stands. You should visit the Niagra Falls, which is only a 2 hour drive away.
Montreal is a charming island city with a strong French flavour. Vancouver is Canada's most beautiful city. It has a hilly terrain and many great bridges that offer stunning views of the ocean, bays and Vancouver itself with it’s many attractions, Stanley Park, Wreck Beach and Vancouver Island. Vancouver offers great hiking, rafting and whale watching. You can’t visit Canada without going to Quebec City. The entire old section of town is North America's only walled city, and has been named a UN World Heritage site.
Halifax is the capital of Nova Scotia, it sits beside one of the world's largest natural harbours, on the south Atlantic shore. Winnipeg is located in Manitoba and is named Canada's Wild West. Edmonton is the capital of Alberta, and home of the world's largest shopping and entertainment mall. Charlottetown is the capital of Canada's smallest province, Prince Edward Island. It is an old, quiet country town. St John's is Newfoundland & Labrador's island capital and North America's oldest city. The hilly town is magnificently located on a series of terraces rising up from the waterfront.
Culture: The base of Canada's cultural identity is the traditions of its native people. However, English and French are the country's two official languages. The French spoken in Canada is not, however, the language of France. In Quebec, where the majority of the population are of French descent, the local tongue is known as Quebecois. Most Quebeckers, however, will understand formal French. The differences between Quebec and English Canada don't just apply to language. The French influence of Quebec can be seen in architecture, music, food and religion.
Climate: Summer thunderstorms are common throughout Canada. Occasionally, these may become 'severe'. Tornados also occur throughout Canada, with May to September being prime months. The peak season is June and early July in southern Ontario, Alberta, southeastern Québec, and a band stretching from southern Saskatchewan and Manitoba, through to Thunder Bay. The interior of British Columbia and western New Brunswick are also tornado zones. Earth tremors occur in the western mountains. Forest fires can occur at any time, regardless of the season, particularly in the grasslands and forests of western Canada.
Recommended clothing:
March: Moderate temperatures. Winter clothing with some mediumweight clothing.
April: Milder days but the evenings are cool. Mediumweight clothing including a topcoat is recommended.
May: Warm days but cool at night. Mediumweight and summer clothing recommended.
June: Warm, summer clothing with some mediumweight clothing for cool evenings. The weather in June is ideal for travel and all outdoor activities.
July/August: The warmest months of the year. Lightweight summer clothing is recommended.
September: Warm days and cool evenings. Light- to mediumweight clothing recommended.
October: Cool, with the first frost in the air.
November: Cool to frosty. Medium- to heavyweight clothing is recommended. First signs of snow. Motorists should have cars prepared for winter and snow tyres are recommended.
December/January/February: Winter temperatures. Winter clothing is necessary (eg overcoat, hat, boots and gloves). Heavy snowfall in most provinces.
Public Holidays: Some public holidays are only celebrated regionally. They are: 3rd Monday in February - Family Day (Alberta); Monday nearest March 17 - St Patrick's Day (Newfoundland); Monday nearest April 23 - St George's Day (Newfoundland); Monday before May 24 - Victoria Day (except in the Atlantic Provinces); June 24 - Fête Nationale (Québec); Monday nearest June 24 - Discovery Day (Newfoundland); Monday nearest July 13 - Orangeman's Day (Newfoundland), and 3rd Monday in August - Discovery Day (Yukon).
Public Holidays
Mar/Apr - Good Friday
Mar/Apr - Easter Monday
1st Mon in Sep - Labour Day
11 Nov - Remembrance Day
2nd Mon in Oct - Thanksgiving
1st Mon in Aug - Civic Holiday
25 Dec - Christmas Day
1 Jan - New Year's Day
26 Dec - Boxing Day
1 Jul - Canada Day
Study in Canada: Below are the latest English language schools, art schools,
business
schools & colleges to join our directory.
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| Latest
English schools & private colleges to join: |
Location |
English School Canada - Languages in Action is an international organization of language schools providing opportunities to learn a language of your choice, at language schools around the world. Learn English in the
Canada with Languages in Action at our English schools in Toronto and the capital city Ottawa (in Ontario), Montreal (in Quebec) and Edmonton (in Alberta). A popular accommodation option with our students is our homestay program with a local Canadian family. This option is ideal for students who wish to learn more about Canadian culture while practicing the English learnt in the classroom. Homestays can also create friendships that last a lifetime. Experience the warm hospitality of a caring and friendly Canadian family.
Courses: Our schools offer courses that
focus on the four key language skill areas of
speaking, listening, reading and writing, while
considerable attention is also placed on
pronunciation, oral communication and the
appropriate usage of language in daily
situations.
Our schools provide individual or group English
courses for all levels, private English lessons,
semi-intensive, intensive & Super Intensive English courses,
business English courses. Exam preparation
courses include TOEFL and TOEIC courses,
Conversational English Course, Vocabulary and
Essential Expressions, Social English classes, Academic
English Program, Academic Writing.
Also: a Homestay Program, a Social, Cultural and
Sports Program, English for Specific Purposes
(ESP): English for Business, Economics, Law,
Medicine, Engineering, Hospitality & Restaurant
Industry. |
Toronto |
| Met Business College Toronto |
Toronto |
| Study English in Canada at IH Toronto |
Toronto |
| English Course Canada, TOEFL Vancouver |
Vancouver |
| Pacific
Audio Visual Institute - One-year
comprehensive, "hands-on" diploma programs in
Audio Engineering & Production, Film & Music
Business... |
Vancouver, BC |
| English School of Canada |
Toronto |
| English School in Toronto |
Toronto |
| Winston College |
Vancouver |
| Canada Film School |
Vancouver |
| GEOS Language Academy, Victoria |
Victoria |
| Audio Production Program |
Winnipeg |
| New Image College of Fine Arts |
Vancouver |
| Boarding School BC, Canada |
BC, Canada |
| University of Toronto, Canada |
Toronto, Canada |
| Vancouver Medical English Institute |
Vancouver |
| Canadian College of Business, Science & Technology |
Toronto |
| The Art Institute of Toronto - Art & Design School |
Toronto |
| Post Secondary School, Canada |
Toronto, Canada |
| Bond Language Centre, Toronto |
Toronto |
| The Language Exchange |
Toronto |
| Synergy Business College, Toronto |
Toronto |
| Dalhousie University |
Nova Scotia |
| Alaya International Training Centre |
Vancouver |
| Summer English School in Canada |
Toronto |
| French Language Immersion |
Montreal, Quebec |
| Boarding School Canada |
Ontario |
| Kaplan English Programs - Vancouver |
Vancouver |
| Career Training Alberta |
Alberta, Canada |
| International House Whistler |
Whistler |
| Career College Toronto |
Toronto, Ontario |
| Career Training College Ontario |
Toronto |
| The School of Professional Makeup, Toronto |
Toronto |
| Hospitality Career Canada |
Toronto |
| ESH Language Centre |
Toronto |
| Langara College |
Vancouver |
| Metropolitan College |
Toronto |
| School of Rock and Film |
New Brunswick |
| Medix School, Health Care Training |
Ontario |
| Audio Engineering School |
Vancouver, BC |
| University of Manitoba,
Faculty of Physical Education |
Manitoba |
| École de Langues, Collège Saint-Charles-Garnier |
Quebec |
| Globe Runner Educational Agency |
Toronto |
| Canada English Center |
Vancouver |
| Vancouver International College |
Vancouver |
| English Made Easy |
Vancouver |
| Capilano College, Vancouver |
Vancouver |
| Okanagan Fashion Institute Inc |
Kelowna |
| Pan Pacific International English College |
Victoria |
| ACCESS International English Language Centre |
Toronto |
| LSC Language Studies Canada - Vancouver |
Vancouver |
| LSC Language Studies Canada - Toronto |
Toronto |
| VMMA Makeup Artistry Private School |
Vancouver |
| Canadian International College |
Vancouver |
| Language School of Canada |
Toronto |
| LSI Toronto |
Toronto |
| LSI Vancouver |
Vancouver |
| St. Lawrence College |
Ontario |
| Royal Roads University |
Victoria |
| The Culinary Arts School of Ontario |
Ontario |
| Skinner Creek ESL Wilderness Guest Ranch |
British Columbia |
| English
Course in Canada |
British Columbia |
| English Course in Canada |
London |
| International House Toronto |
Toronto |
| Zoni English Course in Canada, Homestay |
Vancouver |
Educational Vacations
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