130+ Fun Facts About Canada for Kids 

There is more to know about the world than what happens inside your own country's borders, and Canada facts for kids reveal a lot about America's northern neighbor. Canada's geological, geographical, economic, and social diversity makes it a fascinating country. Share these fun facts about Canada for kids with your friends and family.

Canada Facts for Kids About Geography

When it comes to geography, here are some Canada facts for kids you might not know. Since Canada uses the metric system for measurement, all measurements will be listed in metric.

• In terms of landmass, Canada is the second largest country in the world. It has about 9,971,000 square kilometers.
• 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.
• Canada has the fifth-largest island in the world, Baffin Island, which is larger than all but two American states.
• Canada only has one desert.
• The United States-Canadian border is the world's longest shared border. It is also the world's longest unprotected border.
• Bathtub Island is one of the hidden gem locations in Canada.

Cool Things to Know About Canada's Population

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

• More than 32 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 three people per one square kilometer. That makes it the country with the fourth-lowest population density worldwide.
• No country in the world has higher enrollment in college and university education than Canada.
• Almost half of Canada's population was born in other countries.
• About 6 million Canadians speak French.
• Canada's largest city, Toronto, has about five million people.
• Four percent of the population of Canada is considered First Nation, many of whom live in Inuit villages and traditional lands.

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. Some of the most interesting facts about Canada relate to nature and animals that live there:

• One-tenth of the world's forests are in Canada.
• The tallest tree ever recorded in Canada was 56 meters high.
• Some of the world's largest freshwater reserves are found in Canada.
• Canada is home to 41 national parks. Quttinirpaaq National Park is so remote, only 17 people visited it in 2016.
• 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:

• 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

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 did a final vote.
• In 1946, there were more than 2500 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:

• There are just under 200,000 farms in Canada.
• The average Canadian throws away about 170 kilograms of food every year.
• Potatoes and wheat are the most popular source of carbohydrates.
• Rice is more popular than corn.
• Canadians eat more chicken and turkey than beef.
• Bananas are the most plentiful fruit.
• 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.
• More than 75 percent of the world's mustard supply comes from Canada.
• 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.
• Canada makes more than 75 percent 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.

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.
• 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 in the Lower Kananaskis River.

Embarrassing Facts About Canada

While most Canadians are proud of where they come from, these embarrassing facts might have them hiding their faces for a moment:

• 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, 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.

Funny Canada Facts

From weird holiday traditions to wacky places to visit, you can find lots of funny tidbits about Canadian culture:

• Canadian Suresh Joachim set the world record in 2008 for longest non-stop Elvis impersonation.
• In 2010, the University of Alberta broke the world record for the largest dodgeball game.
• In Dawson City, Yukon, you can join the Sour Toe Cocktail Club by downing a drink that contains an actual toe.
• Canada can claim the world's smallest jail, which is in Ontario. It is only 24.3 square meters.
• It is widely believed Santa Claus is from Canada.
• Many people believe that Canada owns the North Pole. It doesn't.
• Dog food is tax-deductible in Canada.

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:

• Alessia Cara (singer)
• Shania Twain (singer)
• Justin Bieber (singer)
• Estella Warren (actress and model)
• Keanu Reeves (actor)
• Celine Dion (singer)
• Drake (rapper)
• Jim Carrey (actor and comedian)
• Jennifer Tilly (actress)
• Leonard Cohen (musician and composer)
• Finn Wolfhard (actor)
• Michael J. Fox (actor)
• Dan Aykroyd (actor and comedian)
• 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)

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.