There are many things that Canada is famous for, including its stunning scenery, friendly people, and vibrant culture.
When you think of Canada, what comes to mind? Mounties, hockey, and maple syrup? While those are all iconic Canadian symbols, there is much more to this North American country than just its clichés. In fact, Canada is a culturally diverse and fascinating nation with plenty to offer tourists and residents alike.
From its vibrant cities to its stunning national parks, Canada is a top travel destination. So what makes it so special? Let’s explore some of the things that make Canada famous.
List of the Things That Make Canada Famous For
#1. Ice Hockey
Canada is sometimes referred to as the place “hockey dreams are made of” and it’s certainly a country where hockey takes top priority. The country has produced many great players, such as Wayne Gretzky, who led Team Canada to victory in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. In fact, Canada has won more gold medals in the Winter Olympics than any other country.
Each year thousands flock to Canadian cities like Montreal and Toronto to cheer on their favourite hockey teams at Stanley Cup playoffs or home games for the NHL championship. Not only do Canadians love watching ice hockey, they also enjoy playing it! The National Hockey League (NHL) was founded in Canada in 1917 and today there are seven Canadian teams in the league.
#2. Canadian Road Trips:
Canada is a very large country and there are endless possibilities of places to visit here. One of Canada’s most famous attractions is Niagara Falls, which you can get up close and personal with on a boat tour or via helicopter ride. If that kind of excitement isn’t for you then how about an adrenaline-pumping trip down the Niagara River on a kayak?
Or if waterfalls aren’t your thing, maybe you would be interested in seeing some beautiful natural landscapes instead! The Canadian Rockies stretch from British Columbia through Alberta and into the Yukon and boast some stunning views and unique wildlife.
Another great road trip option is driving along Highway 1 on Vancouver Island; this drive takes you right across the island, past secluded beaches and sparkling lakes, to the gorgeous Pacific Ocean.
#3. Ice Wine:
Not only does Canada have some of the best road trips in the world, but they also have some of the best wines! Ice wine is a type of dessert wine that has been popular in Germany for years. It was only after German winemakers shared this style of wine with their Canadian neighbours that it became very popular up north too.
The grapes are left on over-night to freeze, then pressed while still frozen to extract deep flavours and concentrated natural sugars before fermentation begins. This results in a semi-sweet, full bodied wine with aromas similar to honey or apricot fruitiness along with slightly higher alcohol content than most other wines.
#4. The Longest Street In The World:
Yonge Street in Toronto is the longest street in the world, measuring over 1,178 miles. It runs north-south from Lake Ontario to Lake Simcoe and although it has been said that you can’t get lost on this street, it would take way too long to drive all 2 million plus kilometres so your best bet is just visiting a small portion of this iconic road!
#5. Justin Bieber Was Canadian:
You may have heard of Justin Bieber – he’s an incredibly famous singer that started his career at a very young age by posting videos on YouTube. He was born in Canada which makes him half-Canadian but because he currently lives in America he gets to enjoy both American and Canadian citizenship.
#6. Nanaimo Bars:
Nanaimo bars are a sweet, chocolatey treat that originated in the city of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. The official recipe has been carefully guarded since 1953 by the City of Nanaimo’s former mayor who found it in a local cookbook and claims there is no other recipe like it!
However, this hasn’t stopped people from trying to recreate their own versions of this popular Canadian dessert. You can find them everywhere from bake sales to summer fairs to local cafes and even at hockey games!
#7. Lake Life:
If you love spending time by lakes then you will feel right at home here in Canada. There are over 3 million lakes across the country which means there is bound to be a lake nearby no matter where you live! Being surrounded by all this water can be great in the winter when there is icy cold weather and you want to go out for a walk on the snowy surface or even in the summer when it’s hot and sunny and you just want to cool down with a quick dip in the lake.
#8. The Famous Canadian Flag:
The flag of Canada was adopted in 1965 after much debate about what kind of design would represent our country best. The final design features red and white stripes along with a big leaf (representing our maple syrup) with two blue bars (representing the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean) splitting it right down the middle.
Over-Politeness: Canadians are often described as being very polite and kind. This is because they are taught to say “Please” and “Thank You” often! It may seem strange at first to you, but rest assured that this friendliness is very genuine.
#9. The Northern Lights:
The northern lights are a natural phenomenon that occur when electrically charged particles from the sun enter our atmosphere and collide with gas atoms to produce a colourful light display. This happens most often in a narrow band of latitude which runs from Alaska to Norway called the auroral zone. It’s almost impossible not to feel excited looking up into the night sky and seeing bursts of bright colour everywhere you look as these amazing displays dance across the skyline!
#10. Poutine:
Poutine is a dish that originated in Quebec made up of fries, cheese curds and gravy. It can be eaten as a side but has become popular enough on its own that it’s even been put on other foods like or even sandwiches!
#11. Maple Syrup:
Maple syrup was first discovered by the indigenous people who lived in the maple forests of North America. It was traditionally made from boiling maple tree sap which then hardened into a delicious sweet chewy candy type substance. Nowadays it’s made commercially by placing tapped maple trees into large vats to collect their sap, before evaporating it down and adding flavourings to make a deliciously sweet dark brown syrup that is widely used by Canadians on pancakes, waffles and even snow!
#12. Northern Hospitality:
If you visit Canada in wintertime you will find many businesses have a policy of keeping an open door for visitors so they can come inside, warm up and get a hot drink or snack if they need it. This is especially true if you are visiting someone’s home.
#13. Coffee Shops On Every Corner:
Canada is the birthplace of Tim Horton’s Donuts and Coffee, which have since become a worldwide franchise. There are almost 3000 Timmy’s locations in Canada so it really is the best place to go if you want an affordable donut with quality coffee at any hour of the day! It also acts as a great meeting point for friends to get together!
#14. The CN Tower:
The CN Tower is a very famous landmark located in Toronto. It is the tallest free-standing structure in the western hemisphere and was built to help television and radio signals reach further distances. If you are looking for stunning views of the city then this is definitely the place! At 1250ft tall it’s also an insanely awesome place to go skiing or even zip lining down on one of their thrilling outdoor adventure courses that are offered!
#15. Fall Foliage:
Autumn in Canada is probably the most beautiful time of the year. The leaves on deciduous trees change into a huge variety of spectacular hues to brighten up the landscape. Its leafy greenness all turning into orange, red, yellow and brown has to be seen to believed!
#16. Beautiful Natural Landscapes:
Canada is home to some absolutely stunning natural landscapes including the Rocky Mountains, Niagara Falls and the Laurentian Mountains. If you are a nature lover then this is definitely somewhere you want to visit as there is no shortage of beauty to be found!
#17. Epic Road Trips:
Canada has some of the best roads in the world which makes for amazing road trips that are highly enjoyable. If you are feeling adventurous then it’s even possible to drive all the way from West Coast to East Coast!
Canada Famous FAQS
1. What are some of Canada’s most famous landmarks?
A: Niagara Falls, the CN Tower, and the Rocky Mountains are just a few of Canada’s most famous landmarks. There are also many beautiful national parks worth visiting, such as Banff National Park and Jasper National Park.
2. What is Canada’s official language?
A: Canada’s official language is English. However, French is also widely spoken throughout the country.
3. What currency is used in Canada?
A: The Canadian dollar is the official currency of Canada.
4. What is the climate like in Canada?
A: The climate in Canada varies depending on the region. In general, it is colder in the northern parts of the country and milder in the southern parts.
5. What kind of food is popular in Canada?
A: There are many different types of cuisine enjoyed in Canada. Some popular dishes include poutine (a dish made with french fries, cheese curds, and gravy), maple syrup, and Nanaimo bars (a dessert made with chocolate, custard, and whipped cream).
6. What are some of Canada’s most popular tourist attractions?
A: Niagara Falls, the CN Tower, the Rocky Mountains, and the Vancouver Island are just a few of Canada’s most popular tourist attractions. There are also many beautiful national parks worth visiting, such as Banff National Park and Jasper National Park.
7. What is the population of Canada?
A: The population of Canada is approximately 37 million people.
Conclusion
Canada is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world. It has a rich history and culture that continues to evolve over time, making it an interesting place for people from all around the globe to visit. The country’s official languages are English and French however there are also many Indigenous languages spoken throughout Canada as well.
Canadian cuisine varies by region with dishes that have their origins in Britain, France, Ireland or other parts of Europe being popular choices among Canadians. With so much diversity within this country it’s hard to pinpoint what exactly makes Canada unique but maybe you can tell us? Have you visited our great nation yet? Read on if you want find out more about “What is Canada Famous For”!
Thank you! Salmigondis
