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Captivating Canada: Magnificent Scenery From Sea To Sea

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Overview

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Panoramic view of the city of Quebec at sunset surrounding by water

(Photo By Martin St-Amant)

Introduction

If you think Canada is all about hockey, maple syrup and Crown Royal, think again! It’s also a fantastic place to enjoy some of the world’s best scuba diving. Canada’s motto, “A Mari Usque Ad Mare” translates to “From Sea to Sea,” providing a tiny hint about the wonderful ocean and freshwater dive sites this vast country has to offer.

The best time to visit Canada depends upon geography. If you’re planning to visit the west coast of British Columbia, you’ll find it’s at its very best between April and October, though still enjoyable during the colder winter months. If planning a trip to a cooler clime, check local climate information to determine when to visit. Your dive operator should be able to help you plan for a successful trip. No matter when you visit Canada, it is always advisable to make hotel reservations well in advance of your actual travel dates. 

Geography

Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Its borders extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, and northward, enveloping Hudson Bay, and bordering the Labrador Sea, Baffin Bay, the Beaufort Sea, and the Arctic Ocean. Encompassing a stunning 9.98 million square kilometers, Canada is the planet’s second largest country when measured by total area. In addition to its vast land masses, Canada’s territory includes just over 891,160 square kilometers of water including portions of the Great Lakes. 

History

The area we now know as Canada has been inhabited by various Aboriginal tribes for millennia; not until the late 15th century did French and British colonial expeditions set out to explore its vast reaches.  Its Atlantic coast was colonized by Europeans and they continued to expand westward in subsequent decades, establishing self-governing British Crown colonies along the way. On July 1st of 1867, three of the colonies federated, thus forming a federal dominion and officially establishing Canada as a nation under the British North America Act of 1867. 

Today, the country is both a constitutional monarchy with Britain’s crown as head of state; it is also a federal parliamentary democracy as well as one of the planet’s most multicultural and ethnically diverse nations. Its economy is among the worlds’ largest, relying primarily upon well-developed trade relationships and an abundance of natural resources. As one of the wealthiest nations in the world, Canada boasts the eighth heist per-capita income and is among the highest in terms of education, civil liberties, quality of life, economic freedom, and government transparency.  It is recognized as a middle power, and has membership in numerous international political organizations including NATO, the United Nations, and the Commonwealth of Nations. 

Economy

Canada produces many essential products including wheat and other grains, sustainable timber, and many important minerals. It has a large manufacturing sector, with aeronautics and automobiles representing some of the most valuable exports. Science and technology is of vital importance to the nation’s economy, and not surprisingly, so is tourism. With mountains offering world-class skiing, pristine lakes, historic sites, and exquisite coastlines and remote islands, the nation attracts visitors from all over the world. Cruise ships frequent the west coast, which is renowned for its marine mammals including orcas and gray whales, and in summertime, liveaboard cruises head to the far north for encounters with belugas, narwhals, and other rarely-encountered species. Though its waters are chilly, Canada is attracting more divers now than ever before. 

Location:
  • North America
  • Canada
Keywords: diving guides, north america dive travel, canada dive travel, canada diving, great lakes diving, british colombia diving, bc diving, race rocks, nakwakto rapids, tiller wreck, arabia wreck Author: Related Tags: Diving Guides