| Province in brief | Occupation | Cities |
| 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 1. Ontario “rocks standing high near the water” Entered Confederation: 1 July 1867 Area: 1,068,587 sq km Location: in the center of Canada Population: 10,084,885 Provincial symbols: the trillium the eastern white pine the loon | It’s a geographic and cultural transition between eastern Quebec and the Midwestern prairie provinces. It’s the largest province in the terms of wealth and population. It’s the most industrial center of Canada. It produces: 98% of motor vehicles, 93 % of heavy electrical equipment, 92% of agricultural machinery, ¼ of the world’s nickel (Sudbury). It’s the national leader in car production (Oshawa, Winsdor). It’s Canada’s iron and steel center (Hamilton). Elliot Lake sits on the largest uranium deposits. The Niagara Peninsula is an important fruit and wine-producing region. | Toronto – the capital of the province and the largest city. It is located on the north shore of Lake Ontario. It’s one of the chief Great Lakes ports. It has an international airport at Malton. It is famous as an artistic and musical center. The sights are: the Art Gallery, the Royal Conservatory of Music, the Royal Ontario Museum. Educational centers are: the University of Toronto, Ryerson Iinstitute of Technology, York University. Ottawa – the capital of Canada. It sits on the south bank of the Ottawa River at its confluence with the Rideau River. It’s a political center, the government and the parliament are situated here. The sights are: Parliament Hill, Peace Tower, Rockcliffe Park, the National Gallery, the Royal Canadian Mint, the Canadian War Museum, the National Museum of Science and Technology, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Stables and Practice Ground. |
| 2. Quebec “where the river narrows” Entered Confederation: 1 July 1867 Area: 1,540,687 sq km Location: St. Lawrence Lowlands Population: 6,895,960 Provincial symbols: the white lily the snowy owl | The Climate and the soil are good for general farming. Manufacturing is the prime industry. There are vast amounts of hydroelectric power. It’s the main paper producer in North America. Half the province is forest. Other important industries are: aluminium, minerals, timber, tourism, dairy goods, apples and maple syrup. St. Lawrence River is a link between the Great Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean. | Quebec City – the capital of the province. It was founded by Jacques Cartier in 1534 (was called Stadacona). It was named Quebec (“kebec”) by Samuel de Champlain in 1608. Montreal – an island city. It’s the largest Canada’s city and most important port. It’s the largest French-speaking city in the world after Paris. It’s called the “Paris of the Western Hemisphere”. |
| | It’s a financial, commercial and industrial center of the country. Here is James Street known as the “Wall Street of Cana-da”. The Metro was opened in 1966. The sights are: the square Place Royal (old), Basilica Notre Dame (the church), Museum of Archaeology and History, the park Mont Royal, Fine Arts Museum, the Contemporary Art Gallery, the Cathedral of Montreal, the Olympic Sports Complex, the Biodom, Wax Museum. Educational centers: McGill University (English), the University of Montreal (French). |
| 3. Newfoundland and Labrador Entered Confederation: 31 March 1949 Area: 404,520 sq km Location: island of Newfoundland, the coast of Labrador on the main-land Population: 568,474 Provincial symbols: the pitcher plant the marine Atlantic puffin | It’s rugged, weather-beaten land at the edge of Canada, heavily influenced by the sea and the conditions of the not-to-distant north. Fishing and forestry gave prosperity to this province. They export raw natural resources: nickel, copper, oil, cobalt. Labrador is the second largest producer of nickel in the world. | St. John’s – the capital of the province. |
| 4. Nova Scotia Entered Confederation: 1 July 1867 Area: 55,491 sq km Location: a 380 mi long peninsula at the Atlantic Coast Population: 930,000 Provincial symbols: the mayflower the osprey | Fishing remains important. Major moneymakers are: mining, shipbuilding, tourism, crafts. Agriculture is a significant part of the economy. The main products are: dairying, fruit, Christmas trees. | Halifax – the capital of the province. |
| 5. Prince Edward Island Entered Confederation: 1 July 1873 Area: 5,657sq km Location: is separated from the mainland by a strait Population: 131,600 Provincial symbols: the common lady’s slipper the blue jay | It’s primarily a farming community because of good red soil. They grow potatoes and sold it all over the country. Fishing is also important. Tourism is a growing industry. The quiet, gently rolling hills with good beaches attract a lot of tourists. | Charlottetown – the capital of the province. |
| 6. New Brunswick Entered Confederation: 1 July 1867 Area: 73,437 sq km Location: along the Atlantic Coast Population: 723,900 Provincial symbols: the purple violet the chickadee | It’s largely forested. Two of the main industries are: Lumber and pulp and paper operations. Fishing, manufacturing and minerals are also important. | Fredericton – the capital of the province. |
| 7. Manitoba “great spirit” “Manito Waba” Entered Confederation: 15 July 1870 Area: 650,090 sq km Location: between Ontario and Saskatchewan Population: 1,091,942 Provincial symbols: the prairie crocus the grey owl | The western edge is best for farming. Wheat is the major agricultural product. Manufacturing is the main source of income. Food processing and clothing factories are important. In the northern Shield area there are rich deposits of gold, copper, nickel, zinc. | Winnipeg – the capital of the province. |
| 8. Saskatchewan “river which turns around when it runs” Entered Confederation: 1 September 1905 Area: 651,903 sq km | The south is flat. It’s the greatest grower of wheat in North America. It produces 2/3 of Canada’s crop. Other agricultural products: barley, rye, sunflowers, beef cattle. In the north there are 100,000 lakes. | Regina – the capital of the province. |
| Location: between Manitoba and Alberta Population: 988,928 Provincial symbols: the lily the sharp-tailed grouse | It has the richest potash deposits in the world. Oil mining brings a lot of money. | |
| 9. Alberta Entered Confederation: 1 September 1905 Area: 661,185 sq km Location: between British Columbia and Saskatchewan Population: 2,545,550 Provincial symbols: the wild rose the lodgepole pine the great horned owl the big horned sheep | In the east – the Canadian prairies. It has very fertile agricultural land. They produce wheat, barley, rye and beef. In the north – rivers, lakes and forests. Manufacturing industries: timber and pulp industry, mining minerals (oil, natural gas, coking coal). Tourism is the third highest source of profit. | Edmonton – the capital of the province. It’s on the North Saskatchewan River. It’s the ninth largest city in Canada. It has one of the largest airports in the country. The Canadian National Railway passes through the city. There are numerous industries there. The University of Alberta is here. Calgary (“clear running water”) is the center of Canada’ greatest ranching area. It’s the administrative and financial center of Canada’s oil industry. It’s a cultural and educational center: the University of Alberta, Provincial Institute of Technology and Art, Mount Royal College, Allied Arts Centre, Philarmonic Orchestra, Jubilee Auditorium, an aquarium. |
| 10. British Columbia Entered Confederation: 20 July 1871 Area: 948,596 sq km Location: Pacific Coast, is warmed by the Japanese Current Population: 3,282,065 Provincial symbols: the Pacific dogwood the blue-black Stellar’s jay | In the east – Rocky Mountains. In the north – mountain ranges, forests, lakes. In the south – a small desert. The major industries: forestry, tourism, mining, hydroelectric power, agriculture and fishing. | Victoria – the capital of the province. Vancouver is the largest city in the province. It’s a major manufacturing and financial center. It has a symphony orchestra, an art gallery, a summer theatre. The annual Vancouver Festival of the Arts has been held here since 1958. |
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