Canada: flag, capital, currency and history
Canada is a country in North America, the Americas. Its capital is Ottawa. The currency is the Canadian dollar. Languages spoken include English and French.
Quick facts about Canada
- Official name
- Canada
- Capital
- Ottawa
- Region
- Americas, North America
- Currency
- Canadian dollar (CAD, $)
- Languages
- English, French
- Calling code
- +1
- Internet domain
- .ca
- Area
- 9,984,670 km² (3,855,101 sq mi)
- Land borders
- United States
- Demonym
- Canadian
- National day
- Canada Day, July 1
Flag of Canada
Download the flag of Canada as a scalable SVG or as a PNG in three sizes. The flag emoji is 🇨🇦.
History of Canada
Indigenous peoples have lived in the lands of present-day Canada for thousands of years. French colonies were founded along the St Lawrence from the early 1600s, and after the Seven Years' War France ceded New France to Britain. British North America later grew through settlement and new colonies. In 1867 several colonies united in a confederation, and more provinces and territories joined over the following century. Full legislative independence from Britain came in stages, culminating in the patriation of the constitution in 1982. Canada is a federal parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy with English and French as official languages.
Key dates
- 1534Jacques Cartier explores the Gulf of St Lawrence and claims land for France.
- 1608Samuel de Champlain founds Quebec City.
- 1763Treaty of Paris cedes most of New France to Britain.
- 1867Confederation unites Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick as the Dominion of Canada.
- 1931Statute of Westminster grants Canada full legislative autonomy within the British Empire.
- 1982The constitution is patriated and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms is adopted.
A short overview, not a full history. Dates are given for well-documented events only.
Currency of Canada
Canada uses the Canadian dollar (CAD, $). Use our free currency converter to check exchange rates.
Festivals and greetings in Canada
Celebrations observed in Canada, with free greeting images and wishes you can personalise.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Canada?
The capital of Canada is Ottawa.
What currency does Canada use?
Canada uses the Canadian dollar (CAD, symbol $).
What languages are spoken in Canada?
Languages used in Canada include English and French.
What is the calling code of Canada?
The international calling code of Canada is +1. Its internet domain is .ca.
Which countries border Canada?
Canada shares land borders with United States.
On which continent is Canada?
Canada is in North America, part of the Americas, in the region of North America.
What is the national day of Canada?
Canada marks Canada Day on July 1.
Neighbours of Canada
More countries in North America
Country data from the open mledoze/countries dataset (ODbL), with corrections. Flags from flag-icons (MIT).