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At a glance:

1. Location: Northern America
2. Neighbours: US
3. Size: 3,855,101 square miles
4. Population: 32,976,026 (38th)
5. Density: 9.4 people per square mile
6. Capital city: Ottawa (population 1,158,300)
7. Head of state: Head of state Queen Elizabeth II
   Head of government: Prime minister Stephen J Harper
8. Currency: Canadian dollar
9. Time zone: Six time zones (-3.5 to -8 hours)
10. International dialling code: +1

Potted history of the country: Canada was created by an act of Britain's parliament in 1867, some 250 years after the first contact between English and French fur traders and the aboriginal inhabitants. Despite the British conquest, English and French rivalry continued, with Quebec eventually recognised as a distinct French-speaking society. Nunavut, the first self-governing aboriginal territory, was created in 1999.

Political pressure points: Politics are dominated by two distinct and opposing trends: Quebec's demand for special status and the alienation of the western provinces. The more sparsely populated and resource-rich four western provinces argue that federal government policy favours population centres in Ontario and Quebec.

Population mix: British origin 28%, French origin 23%, other European 15%, Amerindian 2%, other (Asian, African, Arab) 6%, mixed background 26%

Religious makeup: Catholic 44%, Protestant 29%, Muslim 2%, Jewish 1%, Buddhist 1%, Hindu 1%, Sikh 1%

Main languages: English, French

Living national icons: Joni Mitchell (singer songwriter), Neil Young (singer songwriter), Margaret Atwood (writer), David Cronenberg (film director and screenwriter), Michael J Fox (actor), Jacques Villeneuve (motor racing), Mario Lemieux and Wayne Gretzky (ice hockey players, retired).

Landscape and climate: The second largest country after Russia, it has one of the world's lowest population densities outside its eastern urban areas. The northern-most settlement on Ellesmere Island is 508 miles from the north pole. Winters can be harsh, especially in the prairies where temperatures drop below -40C.

Highest point: Mount Logan, 5,959 metres

Area covered by water: 344,080 square miles

Healthcare and disease: A national healthcare system, funded by federal and provincial governments, was established in 1962. The system covers about 70% of medical costs, but patient waiting times for specialists and procedures are often long. Cancer and heart disease account for half of all deaths.

Average life expectancy (m/f): 78/82

Average number of children per mother: 1.5

Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births:7

Infant deaths per 1,000 births: 6

Adults HIV/Aids rate:0.3%

Doctors per 1,000 head of population: 2.1

Adult literacy rate: 99%

Economic outlook: Canada has the ninth largest economy in the world. It is dominated by the service industry but has the second largest reserves of oil after Saudi Arabia. Forestry and mining are important.

Main industries: Transport equipment, food, paper, chemical industries

Key crops/livestock: Hay, wheat, corn, barley, poultry, cattle, pigs

Key exports: Industrial goods, machinery, automotive products

GDP: £649,385m (9th)

GDP per head: £19,890

Unemployment rate: 6%

Proportion of global carbon emissions: 2.1%

Most popular tourist attractions: Queen Charlotte Islands, Nova Scotia Coast, glaciers and ski resorts in Banff National Park, and Niagara Falls.

Local recommendation: Minister's Island, New Brunswick: drive out at low tide along a sand bar to the spectacular summer home of William Van Horne, a self-made railway baron.

Traditional dish: Poutine (french fries covered in gravy and topped with cheese)

Foreign tourist visitors per year: 18,770,444

Media freedom index (ranked out of 173): 13

Did you know ... The world's smallest jail is believed to be in Rodney, near the city of London in south-west Ontario, Canada. Built in 1890, it is only 24.3 square metres and has two cells.

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!

(Source: guardian.co.uk)