CANADA
CANADA
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There is no simple way to characterize a land as vast as Canada. It is nearly 10 million square kilometres in area ( over 3,800,000 square miles), the second largest country in the world. But it is not size alone that makes Canada remarkable. |
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It is a land of extraordinary beauty, rich in natural resources, boasting a wide range of environments where abundant wildlife flourishes. Canada´s people, too, are diverse. To its native people, Indian and Inuit, have been added a mixture of nationalities from every corner of the world, a cultural mosaic that adds richness and variety to the national character. |
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national anthem
O Canada! Our home and native land! True patriot love in all thy sons command. With glowing hearts we see thee rise, The True North strong and free! From far and wide, O Canada, We stand on guard for thee. God keep our land glorious and free! O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. O Canada, we stand on guard for thee O Canada! Where pines and maples grow, Great prairies spread and lordly rivers flow, How dear to us thy broad domain, From East to Western Sea, Thou land of hope, for all who toil! Thou True North strong and free! God keep our land glorious and free! O Canada! We stand on guard for thee! O Canada! We stand on guard for thee! O Canada! Beneath thy shining skies, May stalwart sons and gentle maidens rise, To keep thee steadfast through the years, From East to Western Sea, Our own beloved native land! Our True North strong and free! God keep our land glorious and free! O Canada! We stand on guard for thee! O Canada! We stand on guard for thee! Ruler supreme, who hearest humble prayer, Hold our dominion whithin thy loving care; Help us to find, O God, in thee A lasting, rich reward, As waiting for the Better Day, We ever stand on guard. God keep our land glorious and free! O Canada! We stand on guard for thee! O Canada! We stand on guard for thee! |
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THE NATIONAL FLAG OF CANADA
Adopted:
By resolutions of Parliament on December 15, 1964 (House of Commons) and December 17, 1964 (Senate); proclaimed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 11, Queen of Canada, to take effect on February 15, 1965 - the day the maple leaf flag was first raised over Parliament Hill.
Canadian Flag History:
The St. George's Cross, an English flag of the 15 th century, was carried by John Cabot and flown over Canada when he reached the east coast in 1497. Thirtyseven years later, Jacques Cartier planted the fleur-de-lis on Canadian soil when he landed here and claimed the land for the King of France. The fleur-de-lis was flown until the early 1760s, when Canada was ceded to the United Kingdom.
Although first flown over Canada in 1621, the Royal Union Flag (with the Crosses of St. Edward and St. Andrew) replaced the fleur-de-lis after 1759. Following the Act of Union (1801), the Cross of St. Patrick was added to the flag that we now know more commonly as the Union Jack.
The Red Ensign was created in 1707 as the flag of the British Merchant Marine. A form of the Red Ensign, with quartered arms of Canadian provinces (later the shield of the Royal Arms of Canada), gave rise to the Canadian Red Ensign, various forms of which were flown from approximately 1870 to 1965. The red-and-white maple leaf, flag replaced it on February 15, 1965.
