Canada

When I was a young school girl, one of my favourite classes was World Geography.  In grade 4, I learned that on the other side of the earth there is a beautiful country called Canada. I dreamed that someday I would travel to Canada for a vacation or live there. After many years, my dream came true. My husband and I moved to this amazing country.

Let me tell you about Canada.

It is the second largest country in the world. It is approximately 9,980,000 sq. km in size and covers six times zones. The time zones are Atlantic, Pacific, Mountain, Central, Eastern and Newfoundland. When it is 3 pm in British Columbia it is 11 a.m. in Prince Edward Island. It is bordered by three oceans: the Pacific, the Atlantic and the Artic. In addition, there are beautiful mountains, lakes, and prairies.

In Canada, as in most middle latitude countries, Day Light Saving Time is commonly used. Port Arthur, Ontario was the first municipality in the world to enact DST, on July 1, 1908. All other Canadian provinces had adopted this practice by 1918.  It is the practice of turning the clock ahead one hour in the spring and setting it back in the fall. The benefits of Day Light Saving Time are increased productivity and reduced energy consumption.

Canada is one of the most multicultural countries on the planet. The Canadian government welcomes new immigrants from countries around the world. The stable political system, the excellent public education system, and universal health care attract many newcomers. Low unemployment, good air and water quality and low crime rates also provide incentive for immigration. 

Every season has its own beauty. In the winter, the trees and rooftops are covered in sparkling white fluffy snow. The air is crisp and fresh. In the spring, the temperature increases, and the snow begins to melt.  Trees start to bud, and many flowers start to bloom. During the summer months, it is very green because of all the trees and there is a lot of rain. Fall is the most colorful season. The green leaves turn to red, yellow, and orange before they fall from the trees.  The temperature starts to cool down and days get shorter. 

Canadian people love outdoors sports, especially baseball, ice hockey, cross country and alpine skiing, swimming, and boating. In this lovely country, people work hard and enjoy their lives. For the most part, they are friendly, honest, and gentle. I am so happy to be living here.