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As someone who grew up just south of the Canadian border, I've long considered myself "South Canadian." I spent a lot of time in Canada as a kid (and traveling there as an adult), and I love what a beautiful and diverse country it is. And Canada is mighty interesting, too.So get ready to learn lots about the United States' northern neighbors, from geography and landscape to culture and traditions.

Canada Facts for Kids About Geography

When it comes to geography, you may not know these facts about Canada, a beautiful country from coast to coast.

In terms of landmass, Canada is the second-largest country in the world. It has about 9,971,000 square kilometers (3,849,825 square miles).

You can find the world's longest coastline in Canada.

Canada doesn't have states. It has 10 provinces and three territories.

After Russia, Canada is the second-largest country in the world in terms of area.

Canada is so vast that its east coast is geographically closer to London, England, than to its own west coast.

If you measure Canada from west to east, it is more than 7,560 kilometers (4,698 miles).

Canada has the fifth-largest island in the world, Baffin Island in the territory of Nunavut, which is larger than all but two American states.

Canada only has one desert. It's located in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia.

To get to the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island, you drive across the Confederation Bridge, which is 12.9 kilometers (8 miles) long.

The community in Canada with the highest elevation is Lake Louise Village in Alberta. It sits at 1,540 meters (5,052 feet).

The United States-Canadian border is the world's longest shared border. It is also the world's longest unprotected border at 8,891 kilometers (5,525 miles).

Bathtub Island is one of the hidden gem locations in Ontario, Canada.

Cool Things to Know About Canada's Population

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The people of Canada are diverse, and they represent a wide range of backgrounds. Here are some fascinating facts and statistics about the people who live in Canada.

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More than 40.1 million people live in Canada. That's only 0.5% of the world's population.

In terms of population to landmass (population density), Canada has only four people per one square kilometer. That puts it in the top 10 countries with the lowest population density in the world.

Canada has the highest percentage of adults with post-secondary (beyond high school) education in the world.

Almost a quarter of Canada's population was born in other countries.

About 10 million Canadians speak Frenchas their native language.

Canada's largest city, Toronto, has about 6.2 million people in the greater metropolitan area.

Five percent of the population of Canada are First Nation, Inuit, and Métis, Canada'sIndigenous peoples.

Fascinating Animal and Nature Facts About Canada

Canada has a huge variety of plants and animals, and it includes a number of habitats for these living things.

Nine percent of the world's forests are in Canada.

Canada's tallest known tree is called the Carmanah Giant. It is a Sitka spruce that's 96 meters (315 feet) tall and grows in British Columbia.

Some of the world's largest freshwater reserves are found in Canada.

Canada is home to 37 national parks. Quttinirpaaq National Park in the territory of Nunavut is so remote that only 15 people visited it in the fiscal year 2023/2024.

Some of the largest animals in North America live in Canada, including the blue whale and the wood bison.

The world's largest concentration of garter snakes can be found in the spring in Manitoba.

The beaver, an important symbol of Canada, is actually a rodent.

Fun Facts About Canada's Economy

Canada's economy is one of the strongest in the world, even though it has a low population density. These fascinating facts offer a glimpse at what makes the Canadian economy special.

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Canada is the fifth-largest producer of energy in the world.

Second only to the Middle East, Canada has some of the largest oil reserves on the planet.

Canada is the ninth-largest economy in the world.

About 12,000 people work in the maple syrup industry in Canada.

Canada has more donut shops per capita than any other country.

Because Canada has such a long coastline, it's one of the top seafood producers on the planet.

Over 200 combines were used at the same time in a Manitoba field in 2010 to set the world record for most combine harvesters working simultaneously on the same field.

Canadians have some of the best quality of life worldwide, based on access to healthcare, food, income, and other factors.

Amazing Facts About Canada's Flag

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The Canadian flag features a maple leaf and the colors red and white, but there's a lot more to it than that! These facts about the Canadian flag may surprise you.

It took about 70 years of ideas and inspiration before Canada had a national flag.

In 1925 and 1946, committees were formed to vote on designs, but they never made a final vote.

In 1946, there were more than 2,500 proposed flag designs.

Queen Elizabeth II proclaimed the sparse red and white maple leaf design as the National Flag of Canada in 1965.

The single maple leaf design was first suggested in 1919 by Major General Sir Eugene Fiset.

Canadian athletes began wearing the single maple leaf design in 1904.

King George V declared red and white to be Canada's national colors in 1921.

Dr. Günter Wyszecki picked out the exact shade of red to be used on the flag.

George Bist is credited with choosing the precise dimensions of each colored section.

The final maple leaf image was designed by Jacques St-Cyr.

One of the three final proposed flag designs included the Union Jack in one corner and a fleur-de-lis design in the other corner.

Another proposed design featured blue sections on either end of the flag with three connected maple leaves in the center.

The only other official National Flag of Canada was the Royal Union Jack.

The Red Ensign was unofficially used as Canada's National Flag from 1871 to 1965.

The flag is twice as long as it is wide.

The maple leaf has been a prominent Canadian symbol for more than 300 years.

Red and white were the colors used by English and French crusaders.

The red color on the flag is called "gules" and the white is "pale argent."

Interesting Canada Food Facts

Food statistics can help you understand the interesting culture of foods made in Canada and the fascinating drinks that accompany them. These Canadian food facts will have your mouth watering.

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There are just under 190,000farms in Canada.

The average Canadian throws away about 79 kilograms of food every year.

Potatoes and wheat are the most popular sources of carbohydrates.

Rice is more popular than corn.

Canadians eat more chicken and turkey than beef.

Apples are the most plentiful fruit grown in Canada.

Coffee is more abundant than beer.

There are more litres of wine available per Canadian than orange juice.

Poutine was invented in Quebec in the 1950s.

Canada is the world's largest exporter of mustard seeds.

Canadian bacon is actually called peameal bacon in Canada.

Hawaiian pizza was invented in Ontario in the 1960s.

Canadians eat more Kraft Dinner, or Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, than any other country (about 25% of all the Kraft M&C sold).

Canada makes more than 70% of the world's maple syrup supply.

The canola flower is Canada's most profitable crop.

Ginger ale was invented by a Toronto pharmacist in 1919.

Until 1995, it was not legal to sell butter-colored margarine in Ontario.

Related: Mac Hacks: 10 Fast & Easy Mac 'n' Cheese Upgrades

Weird-but-True Facts About Canada

Everyone knows Canada is special, but these weird but true Canadian facts will help you understand why:

The town of New Quebec, Canada, has the world's largest meteor crater.

Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday in October in Canada.

Every year, Quebec City has a hotel made entirely of ice. The hotel melts in the summer, but is rebuilt every winter.

The world's largest parking lot is found at the West Edmonton Mall in Alberta.

The first UFO landing pad ever installed was built in St. Paul, Alberta.

There are more airports in the country with unpaved runways than paved runways.

You can find a 32-foot tin soldier in New Westminster, BC.

In 1923, at the Calgary Stampede, the first chuckwagon race was held.

License plates for vehicles in Nunavut are shaped like polar bears.

Those who aren't ready to actually surf can now river surf the Lower Kananaskis River in Alberta.

QuirkyFacts About Canada

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We love these quirky Canada facts!

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Canada means 'village' or 'settlement' in Iroquois. Jacques Cartier misunderstood some Iroquois who used the word "Kanata" for a village and called the whole region Canada.

Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump is the name of a real Canadian heritage site.

Vancouver's namesake, Captain Vancouver, is said to have hated the place.

It's illegal to build a snowman taller than 30 inches if you live on a corner lot in Souris, Prince Edward Island.

A law in Petrolia, Ontario, says people are prohibited from yelling, hooting, singing, or whistling at all times.

In Sudbury, Ontario, you can be fined up to $5,000 for attaching a siren to your bicycle.

An old law from 1985 limits the number of coins you can use in a single transaction at Canadian retailers.

Canadian Suresh Joachim set the world record in 2008 for the longest non-stop Elvis impersonation (55 hours).

In 2010, the University of Alberta broke the world record for the largest dodgeball game (1,200 people).

In Dawson City, Yukon, you can join the Sourtoe Cocktail Club by downing a drink that contains an actual toe.

It is widely believed that Santa Claus is from Canada.

Manypeople believe that Canada owns the North Pole. It doesn't.

Tim Hortons is Canada's largest food change, with more than 3,500 locations across the country.

Cool Things That Come From Canada

Canada is home to lots of innovators. Here are some cool things invented in Canada:

Baseball glove

Basketball

Electric range

Electric light bulbs

Zippers

Electron microscope

Plexiglass

Antigravity suits

Dental mirrors

Goalie mask

IMAX

Pacemakers

Paint rollers

Pizza delivery

Roller skates

Snowmobiles

Snow blowers

Walkie talkies

Yahtzee

Washing machines

Cool People From Canada

Not only does Canada invent useful things, but a lot of really famous people have come from Canada. Here are just a few:

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Michael Cera (actor)

Alessia Cara (singer)

Shania Twain (singer)

Justin Bieber (singer)

Estella Warren (actress and model)

Keanu Reeves (actor)

Celine Dion (singer)

Drake (rapper)

Elliot Page (actor, producer)

Jim Carrey (actor and comedian)

Jennifer Tilly (actress)

Leonard Cohen (musician and composer)

Avril Lavigne (singer-songwriter)

Justin Bieber (singer-songwriter)

Finn Wolfhard (actor)

Michael J. Fox (actor)

Dan Aykroyd (actor and comedian)

Daniel Levy (actor and producer)

Brendan Fraser (actor)

Seth Rogen (actor)

Howie Mandel (comedian and game show host)

Mike Myers (actor)

Ryan Reynolds (actor)

Ryan Gosling (actor)

Wayne Gretzky (hockey player)

Alex Trebek (game show host)

Famous Books, Movies, and TV Shows Set in Canada

Canada is a pretty entertaining place, which is why so many books, movies, and TV shows are set there.

Anne of Green Gables (Prince Edward Island)

Call of the Wild (Yukon Territory)

Schitt's Creek (Ontario)

Anne with an E (Prince Edward Island)

Degrassi (Toronto)

Scott Pilgrim vs the World (Toronto)

Strange Bew (Toronto)

Get to Know Canada, Eh

Now you know a little more about Canada and all of the great things and people that come from this huge North American country. If you ever get the chance to visit, you'll enjoy it and learn even more about its history, culture, and residents.