Canada

A land of vast distances and rich natural resources, Canada became a self-governing nation in 1867 while retaining ties to the British crown. Economically and technologically the nation has developed in parallel with the U.S. Canada shares an unfortified border with the U.S.

Climate: varies from temperate in south to subarctic and arctic in north

Natural resources: iron ore, nickel, zinc, copper, gold, lead, molybdenum, potash, silver, fish, timber, wildlife, coal, petroleum, natural gas, hydropower

Population: 31,592,805

Languages: English 59.3% (official), French 23.2% (official), other 17.5%

Capital: Ottawa

Independence: July 1, 1867 (from UK)

National holiday: Independence Day/Canada Day, July 1 (1867)