Canada is simultaneously the second largest country on Earth and the 35th most populated. A large swath of this gigantic land is made up mostly of ice and wild forests. There is also a huge cultural diversity, with part of the nation speaking French, part speaking English and other parts speaking First Nation languages.
All this to say that Canada is a fascinating and weird country — and these maps prove it.
First, Let's Start With the Basics
For those who aren't familiar with Canadian provinces and territories, this is how the country is divided — no need for 50 states when you just split the land into larger provinces.
We Usually Don't Listen to Stereotypes But...
A lot of these are simply true.
The Last Map Is Really All You Need to Know
But we take offense to Nuvanut and Northwest Territories being labeled as barren wastelands since they offer northern lights and narwhals. That makes them arguably the coolest places in Canada.
You Gotta Hand It to the Vikings
They arrived in Greenland and Canada in 1021, hundreds of years before other Europeans even knew the continent existed.
BRB We're Booking a Flight to Quebec
It's for scientific purposes. We need to finally settle the question of whether Quebec or Vermont make the best maple syrup.
We Weren't Kidding When We Said Canada Is Sparsely Populated
It makes sense, though: Canadian winter is brutal even in the south of the country. We can't even imagine how it is above the Arctic Circle.
Here's Another Way to Visualize It
So this is why Canadians are so obsessed with spending as much time in nature as possible.
Yes, It Gets Hot in Canada
In fact, it can get really hot, as this maps proves.
But It Can Also Get Really Cold
Negative 63 degrees?! We're rethinking our plans to visit Yukon.
This Is Handy for Planning a Vacation
Yes, all these climate regions are worth visiting...even the tundra.
You Know What This Means...
Fusion food that is way way better than anything the British brought over. Sorry Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador, you get the short end of the deal.
This Makes Sense
It's cool to see Algonquian, a First Nation language, show up here.
A Reflection of Canadian History
Tyan Cherepuschak / Wikimedia Commons
It's a fascinating mix of colonization and immigration.
Even More of a Reason to Visit Nuvanut
And people somehow think Inuit culture is dead — talk about ignorance!
Apparently, Hotter Weather Is Good for Your Health
This could also have to do with the fact that colder territories tend to have a larger indigenous population that the Canadian government has ignored for centuries.