Countries

Canada

The world's second-largest country by area, stretching six time zones from the Atlantic to the Pacific to the Arctic, yet home to fewer people than California. Confederated in 1867 as a self-governing dominion, still formally sharing its head of state with the United Kingdom.

Moraine Lake's turquoise glacial water ringed by the Valley of the Ten Peaks, Banff National Park, Alberta

Moraine Lake, Banff

Photo: Tobias Alt, CC BY-SA 4.0

Red and white were declared Canada's official colours in 1921. The eleven-point maple leaf was chosen after researchers tested silhouettes to find a shape that stayed legible even when worn. Adopted in 1965.

How it has changed

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