Words from our national anthem, "O Canada, Our home and native land……O Canada, we stand on guard for thee"

The land is vast with the magnificence mosaic scenery among amazing surroundings of lakes, rivers, and mountains and wonders appreciating that Canada is a country of distinctive character. The variety of experiences and discoveries available are never ending. Enjoy Canada's natural beauty and spectacular culture with hospitality that Canadians are so distinguished for.

The Province of Newfoundland and Labrador consists of two major geographical areas; the island of Newfoundland, and Labrador on the Canadian mainland. The youngest of the Canadian provinces, joined Confederation on March 31, 1949. Much of the island and southern and central Labrador is covered by a thick forest of black spruce and balsam fir mixed with birch, tamarack and balsam poplar. Northern Labrador has very little forest and is marked by the huge Torngat Mountains, which rise from the sea to heights of up to 1676 meters. The overwhelming sight of icebergs 10,000-year-old glacial ice made of the purest water together with the Whales who are frequent visitors to Newfoundland. Newfoundland and Labrador, a place that stays the same, but changes you forever.

The agricultural areas of Nova Scotia are predominantly lowlands. When the glacial ice withdrew from coastal Nova Scotia 15 000 to 18 000 years ago, the ocean flooded ancient river valleys and carved out hundreds of small protected harbours which later became fishing ports. Most of the province is covered with forests and lakes. The larger towns are mainly along the seacoast. Nova Scotia's 580 kilometre peninsulas are surrounded by four bodies of water - the Atlantic Ocean, the Bay of Fundy, the Northumberland Strait and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The Celtic heritage of Nova Scotia makes it of great appeal to visitors from around the world. Come and celebrate the timeless romance of the sea. The Lighthouse Route journeys through an unforgettable landscape of coastal beauty and historic charm that has captured the hearts and minds of travelers for generations.

Rich soil and a temperate climate make Prince Edward Island an ideal place for mixed farming. Prince Edward Island is the country's smallest province in both area and population. It has numerous lakes and rivers, most of which are quite small. Known around the world as the home of Anne of Green Gables this island province has much to offer visitors. Quiet, sandy beaches, lighthouses open to visitors, coastlines dotted with fishing ports and everywhere immaculate farmsteads and tiny white churches. Rolling hills and a substantial amount of woodland, allow for hiking, camping and bird-watching.

It is rectangular in shape, extending 322 km north to south and 242 km east to west New Brunswick has a land mass of 73,500 square kilometres, 85 percent of which is forest. The northern part of the province is very mountainous, while the interior is mostly plateau, flatter in the east and hillier in the southeast. Twice a day, with the rising tide of the Atlantic Ocean, 100 billion tonnes of water stream past a rocky headland in the Bay of Fundy. The eastern end of the Bay has tides of nearly 15 meters, the highest in the world. Enjoy fresh seafood, cooked the New Brunswick way, stop by a local roadside market and pick your lobster fresh from the tank to take home, salmon pulled fresh from the river's edge to be grilled to perfection on the shore. You will be welcome in ST STEPHEN "Canada's Chocolate Town." St Andrews, "Canada's Oldest Seaside Resort Town". The City of Saint John is home to the famous Reversing Falls. It's more than a visit. It's an Experience.

Quebec is the largest of Canada's provinces, where the beautiful scenery and French culture of the villages and countryside complement the cosmopolitan flair of Montreal. Known as 'la belle province' Québec is the only officially French-speaking province in Canada and has over 400 years of history. It is a land of vast wilderness, teeming resources and modern cities imbued with old-world charm. Predominant features include the St. Lawrence River, virgin forests, lakes and streams, mountains and each reflects a different aspect of Québec, whose history, culture and geography are unique in North America.

Ontario, Canada's second-largest province. The northern region from the Great Lakes to Hudson Bay is mostly occupied by the forests and rocky outcrops of the Canadian Shield, rich in history and host to Canada's capital city Ottawa, and Canada's most populous city Toronto. Most Ontario cities and towns have carefully preserved historic buildings. You can see accurately rebuilt forts and pioneer villages around the province, several towns, like Niagara on the Lake and Elora make an extraordinary effort to preserve the essence of the past. In Ottawa and Toronto, the distinctive parliament buildings are permanent reminders of their history. Cruise on thousands and thousands of islands moulded by ancient glaciers. Seek out the sun on sandy beaches stretching as far as the eye can see. Discover a vast and diverse landscape unlike anywhere else in the world; experience majestic waterfalls thunder down, pursue adventure through famous outdoor havens where wildlife roams freely.

The only province with entirely man-made boundaries, Saskatchewan with landscape that is primarily prairie, parkland, forests and lakes. Prince Albert National Park is the gateway to Saskatchewan's wilderness. The northern third of Saskatchewan is characterized by rolling hills and numerous bodies of water. Plains cover the remaining two-thirds of the province. The flat, gentle grasslands around this church are typical of the plains area. Called Canada's Breadbasket, Saskatchewan contains one of the major wheat-producing areas in the world. Saskatchewan has a stillness that affects your soul, the people you meet in the communities, in city centres, small towns and resort villages; you'll find a warm welcome, an easy-going pace and always some unexpected attraction.

Manitoba is the easternmost of the 3 Prairie Provinces and is located in the heart of Canada, renowned mainly for its parks, thousands of acres of wilderness, lakes, rivers and forests that boast wonderful scenery. Majestic rivers, Arctic coastline, Lakes, forests and desert dunes. An escarpment rises up in the West and miles and miles of trails beckon everywhere. Furthest north, trees thin and a liquid maze cuts through the tundra and merges into Hudson Bay. Manitoba is a premier wildlife-watching destination. Untouched wilderness of Manitoba guarantees the nature lover a spectacle of organic life. Visitors can traverse the unique prairie desert of Spirits Sand or head to the sandy shores of Hecla Provincial Park. In autumn, head to Churchill and witness the migration of polar bears in Wapusk National Park, one of the largest polar bear denning areas in the world. At night, watch spectacular sunsets and the magical Northern Lights. Winnipeg is a must-see for such urban performing arts spectacles as ballet, symphony and theatre. Come to Manitoba's diverse landscapes for your next great outdoor adventure.

Alberta, is the westernmost of Canada's three Prairie Provinces and is the fourth largest province in Canada. Just about half of the province consists of mountains and foothills. The foothills which join mountain and prairie landscapes are heavily forested areas and grasslands and where the prairies meet the mountain ranges of the Western Canada. Alberta is a dynamic place. Its culture is exemplified by "Stampede Fever", where every July the world famous Calgary Stampede draws thousands to the 10-day rodeo and western celebration. Nestled against the eastern edge of the Canadian Rockies, the province of Alberta is saturated in sparkling blue-green lakes, glacial mountains, rolling foothills, and prairie landscapes. From the intensity and cultural density of Edmonton and Calgary to the enormous mountain paradise of Lake Louise and Banff, Alberta is an experience in Canadian diversity.

British Columbia (BC) is Canada's westernmost province and Canada's gateway to the Pacific and Asia. British Columbia extends about 1,300 kilometres north to south. Simply known as BC, British Columbia contains some of the most varied and spectacular scenery in the world. To the east are the Rocky Mountains, to the north are many lakes and forests, there is a small desert in the south and the west of the province lies along the Pacific Ocean coast Western Canada's most important business center Vancouver, with a beautiful magnetism. Victoria, the City of Gardens and capital of the province is Canada's number one tourist destination. British Columbia contains both Canada's wettest and its driest climates, and more species of flora and fauna than the rest of the country put together. British Columbia is a perfect place for recreation. Its natural highlights include Canada's largest ski area, warmest lakes and some of the best beaches, with infinite recreation opportunities and some of the best salmon fishing in the world. The diverse landscape is one of the main reasons for B.C.'s distinctiveness.

The Yukon represents 4.8% of Canada's total land area. Of the ten provinces and three territories, the Yukon is the ninth largest with only the four Atlantic Provinces being smaller. The Yukon is a land ranging from snow and tundra to deep forests and mountain meadows and includes a pocket desert. Yukon Territory, Canada's 'last frontier,' is largely a mountainous and forested wilderness. It is bisected by the valley of the Yukon River, which passes to the west of the Mackenzie Mountains. Mount Logan, in the St. Elias Range on the border with Alaska, is the second highest peak in North America at 5959 meters (19,550 ft). Summers in the Yukon are warm, with almost continuous daylight during June. Canoeing, hiking, mountain climbing, horse riding, dog sledding, rafting and fishing are also available in many wilderness areas. Summer in Canada's Yukon comes alive with an explosion of wildflowers and wildlife in a rugged and pristine setting. Winter in the Yukon is pure, white magic.

Northwest Territories, starkly beautiful, powerful and immense, our northern world is still wild and pristine. Nature rules here, in a diversity of landscapes ranging from towering mountains to rolling tundra, and from seacoast to boggy lowlands and boreal forests. The NWT's treasures include several of Canada's greatest rivers, biggest lakes and most important National Parks. Rare wildlife roams free, and millions of birds migrate through the Mackenzie Valley. Aboriginal tradition thrives in communities built on a rich fur-trade, exploration and mining heritage. Starkly beautiful, powerful and immense, the northern world is still wild and pristine. Nature rules here, in a diversity of landscapes ranging from towering mountains to rolling tundra, and from seacoast to marshy lowlands and boreal forest.

Nunavut On the 1st of April 1999, the dream of many Inuit people was finally realised with the creation of the newest province, Nunavut. One of the most sparsely populated areas in the world, Captivating, ancient and diverse, Nunavut's vast arctic tundra is home to an extraordinary people and variety of wildlife. Nunavut is a world where the darkness of winter is tempered only by silver threads of moonlight and the vibrant glow of the Northern Lights. Polar bears roam the ice floes stalking prey, and muskoxen thunder across the tundra, whales play and narwhals joust in ice-blue waters and Atlantic walruses can be seen basking on the rocky Arctic shoreline. The full wonder of the Arctic sky is best seen during the dark winter months, when the snow-covered land is lit only by a luminous moon and the star-studded sky glows with the dancing colours of the northern lights.

You will discover that once is not enough, with the enormous size of Canada, it will take many visits before you come to understand the true extent of this country. From the excitement of bustling cities, to the solitude of a wilderness you thought you would never experience, Canada has it all. For more Recreation information please visit www.RecreationCanada.com