Canada a global village: Canada is known for its rich natural resources, breathtaking landscapes, and diverse population. (World).Reena Mohan, 14, lives in a wealthy suburb of Toronto, Ontario. The largest city in Canada's most populous province, Toronto is expected to become the world's most multicultural city by 2006. Already, more than 50 percent of the population is foreign-born. Reena is of Indian descent and speaks Hindi, French, and English. She attends a boarding school with students from all over the world. "It's an e-school," says Reena, "where everyone has a networked laptop for notes and research." Reena, who plans to become a doctor like her father, has always been interested in her religious and cultural heritage. She has studied classical Indian dance Indian classical dance is a misnomer, and actually refers to Natya, the sacred Hindu musical theatre styles. Its theory can be traced back to the Natya Shastra of Bharata Muni (400 BC). since she was 3. When the Indian holiday of Diwali--the festival of lights--was celebrated at her school, Reena and a friend performed traditional Indian dances. "People thought my nose ring was cool," she says, laughing. Throughout its history, Canada has been known for its diverse (varied) population. When European settlers first arrived 400 years ago, the land was inhabited by more than 56 indigenous (native) Indian nations. Today, English and French are ognized as the official languages. But at least 80 other languages are spoken in Canada, nicknamed "the global village in one country." Canada gained full independence from the United Kingdom in 1931. But this North American nation Noun 1. North American nation - any country on the North American continent North American country country, land, state - the territory occupied by a nation; "he returned to the land of his birth"; "he visited several European countries" still recognizes Queen Elizabeth Queen Elizabeth, or Elizabeth, may refer to: Living people
Bohemia The best-known stamps:
(at secondary school) → collégiens mpl; lycéens mpl schoolchildren school are taught to sing "God Save the Queen God Save the Queen British national anthem. [Br. Culture: Scholes, 408] See : Britain God Save the Queen official national anthem of the British Commonwealth. [Br. Music: Scholes, 408] See : Song, Patriotic ," along with "O Canada," the country's national anthem. The actual head of government is Prime Minister Jean Chretien, who has been in office since 1993. Canada's federal form of government is modeled on the United Kingdom's. The Prime Minister is selected by the party that wins a majority of seats in the House of Commons House of Commons: see Parliament. , the dominant house of Parliament. A nation of 31 million people (about 11 percent of the U.S. population), Canada is divided into 10 provinces and 3 territories. Nunavut, which is home to the Inuit, became the country's newest territory in 1999. These areas constitute (make up) Canada's federation, where power is divided between the federal government and the provinces. The federal government oversees defense, trade, commerce, and international relations international relations, study of the relations among states and other political and economic units in the international system. Particular areas of study within the field of international relations include diplomacy and diplomatic history, international law, . The provincial governments handle such responsibilities as education, health care, transportation, and environmental matters. A Worldly Education Alejandra Romo Trevino, 14, is one of Canada's many Latin American immigrants. Born in Mexico, Ale has lived in Canada for only three years. Her new home is in a quiet Chinese neighborhood of Toronto, where she attends an all-girl Catholic school. "I enjoy going to school and like to read just about everything," says Ale. "Learning about Canada has been very interesting." Ale also studies at a French school and plans to learn German in honor of her German grandfather. Canadian students can attend private, public, or language-immersion schools. At language-immersion schools, the normal school curriculum is taught in a foreign language. Traditionally, most language-immersion schools have offered instruction in French. But other languages are being added as Canada continues to diversify. British Columbia British Columbia, province (2001 pop. 3,907,738), 366,255 sq mi (948,600 sq km), including 6,976 sq mi (18,068 sq km) of water surface, W Canada. Geography , with its fast-growing Asian population, may soon offer immersion schooling in Asian languages. Henry Langford, 14, values the opportunities offered by foreign-language schooling. "With Quebec a part of Canada, it helps to know French," he says. "The government also likes [French fluency] if you are going to work for them." Henry lives in Calgary, Alberta, which is nicknamed "Little Texas." Located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains Rocky Mountains, major mountain system of W North America and easternmost belt of the North American cordillera, extending more than 3,000 mi (4,800 km) from central N.Mex. to NW Alaska; Mt. Elbert (14,431 ft/4,399 m) in Colorado is the highest peak. , Calgary is known for its oil and gas production. Encouraging Free Trade About 75 percent of Canadians live within 100 miles of the U.S. border. "We think of America as Canada's cocky big brother," says Ben Hamr, 13. Ben, whose parents fled Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic Czech Republic, Czech Česká Republika (2005 est. pop. 10,241,000), republic, 29,677 sq mi (78,864 sq km), central Europe. It is bordered by Slovakia on the east, Austria on the south, Germany on the west, and Poland on the north. ) in 1970, lives in the province of Ontario, where steel and other metals are mined. The steel trade between the U.S. and Canada benefits both nations. But high tariffs imposed by the U.S. recently have caused resentment. Trade between the two nations is important to many industries. For example, Canada exports durum wheat durum wheat: see wheat. from Saskatchewan to pasta manufacturers in the U.S., who then export the pasta back to Canada. Despite differing views, the U.S. and Canada share a close bond. That bond was strengthened in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on U.S. soil. Canadians from the farthest corners of the country extended help and sympathy to their U.S. neighbors. Students at a Calgary high school organized a fund-raising drive Noun 1. fund-raising drive - a campaign to raise money for some cause fund-raising campaign, fund-raising effort crusade, campaign, cause, drive, effort, movement - a series of actions advancing a principle or tending toward a particular end; "he supported for the American Red Cross American Red Cross: see Red Cross. . And, in the days after the attacks, residents across eastern Canada Eastern Canada (also the Eastern provinces) is the region of Canada generally considered to be east of Manitoba, consisting of the following provinces:
The terrorist attacks also led to more cooperation on border issues. Canada and the U.S. share the world's longest nonmilitarized border. With more than $1.9 billion in goods and about 300,000 people traveling across the Canadian-U.S. border each day, both countries have a critical stake in each other's economic and national security. On December 12, 2001, Canada and the U.S. signed the Smart Border Declaration. The two nations agreed to develop a more secure border, but one that also encourages the free flow of people and commerce (business). At a time when many nations eye foreigners with suspicion, Canada prides itself as a haven (shelter) for immigrants. "Canada has many freedoms and allows for many different people to live together," says Ale. "I just love it here." Your Turn WORD MATCH 1. diverse A. shelter 2. indigenous B. varied 3. constitute C. make up 4. commerce D. native 5. haven E. business THINK ABOUT IT What are the advantages and disadvantages of Canada's language-immersion schools? ANSWERS 1. B 2. D 3. C 4. E 5. A |
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