Canada Day is all about spending quality time with friends and family and celebrating this incredible country. 

Even though we may be experiencing it apart this year, that doesn’t mean July 1 can’t still be a fun and meaningful day to remember. After all, if this year has taught us anything, it’s that we shouldn’t take anything for granted, and that includes time spent with our loved ones.  

In honor of this special day, we put together a list of fun facts about Canada you may not know. 

Happy Canada Day!

Fireworks against a black night sky

Interesting Canada Facts

  1. Canada is the second–largest country in the world. 
  2. Hockey and lacrosse are Canada’s national sports. 
  3. Famous Canadian celebrities include Justin Bieber, Michael Bublé, James Cameron, Jim Carrey, Celine Dion, Ryan Gosling, Rachel McAdams, Mike Myers, Ryan Reynolds, and William Shatner. 
  4. Montreal is the world’s second–largest French–speaking city after Paris. 
  5. Foods we think of as being Canadian include peameal back bacon, poutine, maple syrup, and Timbits® (small doughnuts from Tim Hortons). 
  6. The border between Canada and the United States is officially known as the International Boundary. It is 5,525 miles (8,891 kilometers) long, including the 1,538 miles (2,475 kilometers) between Canada and Alaska. It’s the world’s longest unprotected border. 
  7. About 90% of Canada’s population is concentrated within 100 miles (161 kilometers) of the Canada/U.S. border. 
  8. Canadian sports icons include Wayne Gretzky (hockey), Steve Nash (basketball), Mike Weir (golf), and Cassie Campbell (hockey). 
  9. Whistler, British Columbia, is consistently ranked as one of the best places in North America for downhill skiing. 
  10. The Canadian motto is “A Mari Usque Ad Mare.” It means “from sea to sea.”