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Canada has a thriving stage theatre scene, especially in Southern Ontario and in Quebec. Canada also boasts the world's second largest live theatre festival, the Edmonton Fringe Festival.

In traditional music, Canada has developed its own brands including the French, Irish and Scottish-derived fiddle music, foot percussion and other national styles. All radio stations in Canada are required to play at least 35% Canadian music.

Official symbols of Canada include the maple leaf, beaver, and common loon. The Flag of Canada has been modified over recent decades to 'Canadianize' them and de-emphasise references to Britain.

Canada has over 53 national amateur associations, from archery to yachting. Golf and skiing are particularly popular, as are team sports like hockey, baseball or soccer.

Culture

Canada enjoys a very tolerant and open society which welcomes people from all ethnic and cultural groups. Traditionally a country of immigration Canada has been under both British and French rule with the result that diverse creeds and a colourful spectrum of cultures are now mixed into one.

Vancouver is an example of this melting pot of civilisations with heavy influences from the British Isles, India and China, whereas Quebec was born from France and therefore French is the native tongue there.

The family unit remains an important aspect of Canadian society. As in the UK, families tend to be smaller and family structures have become more diverse.

All public signs in Canada have both English and French translations although Canadians drive on the right side of the road. People tend to be somewhat friendlier and more sincere then those from the United States. It's not unusual to be greeted by total strangers who don't seem to be able to do enough, particularly in the smaller townships of the provinces.

Life Style
The Great Outdoors holds a special place in Canadian life and people keenly embrace the climatic diversities of the landscape and seasons. Millions of Canadians take to the fields, slopes, forests and rivers to explore and test their stamina, skills and prowess. In British Columbia the sheltered west coast is a magnet for Sea Kayakers and the Rocky Mountains give a long season to winter sports.

Summers can be boiling hot and winters deadly cold. However everything is set up to deal with these extremes: well-insulated housing, climate-controlled shopping malls, appropriate clothing, lots of facilities for year-round activities - and transport systems that don't grind to a halt at the hint of snow!

Canadian cuisine differs greatly in a country where the ingredients are abundant and freshly grown. The coastal provinces specialise in high quality seafood providing local restaurants with ample supplies. The Prairie Provinces provide superb cattle grazing territory for home-grown beef. Quebec has adopted native French cuisine and boasts many first class French restaurants that have spun off to the rest of the country.

Property prices fluctuate greatly with Vancouver, Toronto and Ottawa properties amongst the most sought after and most expensive, with Manitoba and Saskatchwan the cheapest.