10 Facts About Canada That Will Make You Say: W-what?

Canada is a beautiful, stable country with many social, economical, and political virtues. In fact, because of Canada’s established and high-quality way of life, it’s hard to believe how goofy or strange some things are out there.

Realizing this, we decided to compile a list of 10 facts about Canada that will make you say: w-what?

Canada hosts annual bathtub races

Yes, Canadians race each other in motorized bathtubs and yes, this is a recurring event. This event started in Nanaimo in British Columbia to introduce Nanaimo to the world but became a traditional Canadian event.

Santa is Canadian

Not only is Santa Canadian, he has a real address you can send letters to (North Pole, H0H H0H) and receive a reply! If you would like to contact Santa, be sure to send your letter by December 12^th to receive a reply before Christmas.

Canada has an island within an island

Victoria Island is just one of 36,000 islands in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago and is the 8^th largest in the world. This island has its own island that resides 75 miles inland and is completely inaccessible.

Canada approved its national flag in 1965

This happened 100 years after Canada was declared as a country, which was in 1867.

Canada produced a one million dollar 1-dollar coin

In 2007, the Royal Canadian Mint created a 100 kg, 99.99% pure gold 1-dollar coin with a face value of $1 million dollars to promote the Mint’s new line of 99.99% pure 1oz gold maple leaf bullion coins.

Parts of Canada are ‘missing’ gravity

Hudson Bay is known for two main things: apparent sightings of Bigfoot and having less gravity than the rest of the world. In case you were wondering, you won’t start floating there if you pass by (although, that could have been truly amazing)

Canada’s official phone number

You can call Canada, the country, by dialing 1-800-O-Canada

Canada’s geese are multi-lingual

Canada is known to have two main languages – English and French, and many other different languages spoken by specific communities. But scientists found that Canadian geese have about 13 (!) different ‘languages’ (well, calls).

Canada has parks larger than countries

Canada’s Wood Buffalo National Park is bigger than Denmark, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Bhutan. Canada’s Quttinirpaaq National Park is bigger than Taiwan, Moldova, Belgium, Lesotho and Guinea-Bissau. Canada’s Nahanni National Park is bigger than Armenia, Belize, Albania, Burundi and more. AND the list goes on.

The Sourtoe Cocktail

Of course, we saved the best fact for last – the Sourtoe cocktail. Drinking this cocktail became a ‘rite of passage’ for visitors in Dawson City, Yukon. The cocktail is made of two main components: a shot of Whiskey and a mummified human toe. Yes, we repeat, a mummified human toe. This tradition started back in the 1920s and continues to this day.

We know that after reading these quirky facts about Canada you must be much more curious about the country now (especially after that last fact). If you’ve been considering immigration to Canada for work, travel, or residency purposes, contact our immigration team today at the Great North Visa for a professional consultation! Click below to get in touch.