12 things one local wants you to know about Canada

12.04.2024 - 09:31 / lonelyplanet.com

As a born-and-raised Canadian, I’m often surprised by how little people know about my country.

I’ve been asked what it’s like to live in an igloo. (For the record, I don’t; it rarely snows in Vancouver, which I call home). About the best way to explore the entirety of  Canada in a one-week trip. (Since it’s the second-largest country in the world, this would be difficult.) I’ve heard it all.

Which is why I put together this list of things any traveler to Canada should know before their trip.

Canada is big. Like, really big: we’re talking a landmass of nearly 10 million sq km (3.86 million sq miles). The country is home to the second-highest mountain peak in North America (Mt Logan in Kluane National Park, Yukon ), not to mention the  world’s longest coastline, which meets three oceans: the Pacific, the Arctic and the Atlantic. 

With 10 provinces, three territories and six time zones, it’s safe to say that Canada is a country that offers endless experiences.

When thinking about visiting to Canada, I’d recommend pinpointing one province or territory to discover. From the lush green forests, coastal beaches and snow-capped ski hills of British Columbia to the vibrant and culturally diverse cities in Ontario to snow-and-ice-covered  Nunavut , each region has a unique landscape, culture and people. 

But we don’t all speak English, either. Canada is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world.

And while French and English are both official languages in Canada ( Québec is the only province where French is the sole official language), there are many regions where people only speak one of the two languages fluently. There are even some regions where neither language is spoken. 

Whatever language locals speak, signage and packaging around the country are typically in both English and French – a rule in place since the Official Languages Act came into force in 1969. 

In Canada, we have our own special (English) words for everyday items. These are some common examples:

Canadians measure measured in kilometers, pump gas in liters and express weather forecasts in Celsius. While many other countries do the same, it’s a common assumption that Canada follows the same measurement system as our friendly neighbors to the south. This is a big one for visitors from the USA  who use the imperial measurement system. Get used to it.

In a country with such vast geographical reach, the climate ranges substantially. For example, the west coast of British Columbia has a mild climate year-round. It doesn’t always snow during the winter months, and summer temperatures average 22°C (or 71°F). 

If you go further north, the temperatures become more frigid: Nunavut sees an average temperature of −20°C (or