The North
Canada’s most northern region comprises the provinces of Yukon and Nunavut ("our land" in the Inuktitut language) plus the Northwest Territories. Together, these areas clock up more than one third of Canada’s landmass.
Often referred to as the ‘Land of the Midnight Sun’, the North has brief summers and long, bitterly cold, dark winters. Temperatures are rarely above freezing for months on end and summer and spring are short but surprisingly warm and fertile. Even the almost 24 hour daylight during June still makes for cold evenings. The depths of winter see some of the coldest temperatures on the planet with an average high for January in Whitehorse a bitter -10c.
The region’s population is small and made up of many native Canadians some of whom still earn their living by hunting and trapping.
The central area hosts the world-famous fruit orchards and wineries of the Okanagan Valley. So much natural beauty attracts many tourists, eager to enjoy outdoor leisure pursuits such as fishing, hiking, camping or skiing. The city of Vancouver is the third largest city in Canada, a shipping and air link to China and Japan, and the cultural hub of the region. The city is surrounded by water on three sides and overlooked by mountains that rise to more than 1,500 m. People here enjoy Canada’s best weather. Temperatures average 3°C in January and 18°C in July. It tends to be wetter than elsewhere but most rainfall occurs in winter.
Central Canada
This region comprises Quebec and Ontario. Quebec City the walled French-Canadian capital, is a charming historic city offering a unique blend of European culture, superb restaurants and quaint streets.
The seasons here are marked by extremes of cold, damp and grey winters and summers that are hot and humid. Autumns tend to be long, mild and a good time to pay a visit. More than three-quarters of Québécois speak French as their first language. Quebec also has the largest dairy industry in Canada, as well as forestry, energy and mining interests.
Ontario is home to one-third of all Canadians, most of whom speak English. It attracts many newcomers with its powerful economy, rich resources and strategic location. Southern Ontario has fertile farmland where fruit, grain and vegetable crops are grown; and cattle produce beef and dairy products.
The city of Toronto and Greater Toronto Area is also home to more than 2 million people. Its cultural, artistic and economic status in the world make it a magnet for investment and hub of employment opportunities in such diverse fields as banking, financial services, film and television production, manufacturing, art or fashion. The city’s proximity to the Great Lakes and the Niagara region ensures a plentiful supply of outdoor opportunities for all seasons. By the time the winds have moved from the west coast to Ontario they usually have dropped somewhat in temperature and can make for cold dry winters. Rainfall isn't as high as the mountainous states and summers are pleasant with average highs of over 70 degrees for July and August.
The Prairie Provinces
Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta are famous for their fertile agricultural land and extensive oil and natural gas resources. Winters in this region are long and harsh but bring a good deal of winter fun, especially in the Rockies. Summers are mostly splendid, especially in the mountains. Thunderstorms in summer and blizzards in winter are commonplace.
The province of Manitoba is rich in natural resources and fertile farmland. Known as the heartland of Canada its long-warm summers and the country's best sunshine record make sitting on the beaches of Lake Manitoba a pleasant affair. However, the winters like the other provinces can be long and cold with temperature extremes, particularly to the north. A diverse economy includes aerospace, agribusiness, film production, financial services, biotechnology and IT. Winnipeg is the nucleus of this province’s hustle and bustle - an exciting place to live with its festivals, theatre, ballet, museums, hiking and horse-riding all the year round. Winter fun includes skating, skiing, or tobogganing.
Saskatchewan enjoys a similar climate to Manitoba with long warm summers and cold dry winters while Alberta enjoys distinct seasons with a warm summer from May to September. The winter months see an abundance of snowfall and temperatures seldom rise above freezing from November to March. Alberta leads the country in beef, cattle and feed grain production and is famous for its oil reserves. The capital city of Alberta is Calgary situated in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains with its diverse industrial base making it attractive for investors and jobseekers alike. With so much space, to cycle, ski, hike, fish or swim, it was recently voted healthiest city in the world.
Atlantic Region
There are four distinct seasons in this region: chilly, snowy winters, short, mild springs, warm summers and long crisp autumns.
Fishing, timber, farming and mining are the oldest industries here. The newest industry is tourism.
Many visitors are attracted by the region’s spectacular scenery, beautiful beaches and coastlines.
The province of Nova Scotia in particular is increasingly seen as a place where pleasant living can be had for a lot less than elsewhere.
Halifax (considered one of Canada’s best kept secrets) has one of the world’s largest harbours, and is also the cultural and economic hub of the province. A rich heritage has generated many museums, galleries and historic sites whilst countless trails, parks and wilderness areas offer endless opportunities for exploration and outdoor fun.
