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Canada is the second largest country in the world. Only
Russia has a greater land area. Canada is situated in North
America. Canada is slightly larger than the United States, but
has only about a tenth as many people. About 28 million
people live in Canada. About 80% of the population live within
320 km of the southern border. Much of the rest of Canada is
uninhabited or thinly populated because of severe natural
conditions.
Canada is a federation of 10 provinces and 2 territories.
Canada is an independent nation. But according to the
Constitution Act of 1982 British Monarch, Queen Elizabeth
II of the United Kingdom is recognized as Queen of Canada.
This symbolizes the country's strong ties to Britain. Canada
was ruled by Britain completely until 1867, when Canada
gained control of its domestic affairs. Britain governed
Canada's foreign affairs until 1931, when Canada gained
full independence.
Canada's people are varied. About 57% of all Canadians
have some English ancestry and about 32% have some French
ancestry. Both English and French are official languages of
the country.
French Canadians, most of whom live in the provinces of Quebec, have kept the language and customs of their ancestors. Other large ethnic groups are German, Irish and Scottish people. Native people — American Indians and Eskimos — make up about 2% of the country's population. 77% of Canada's people live in cities or towns. Toronto and Montreal are the largest urban areas. Ottawa is the capital of the country.
Today, maintaining a sense of community is one of the
major problems in Canada because of differences among the
provinces and territories. Many Canadians in western and
eastern parts of the country feel that the federal government
does not pay enough attention to their problems. 80% of
Quebec's population are French Canadians. Many of them
believe that their province should recieve a special recognition
in the Canadian constitution.
Questions:
1. Where is Canada situated?
2.How many people live in Canada?
3. Where do most Canadians live?
4. Who is the head of state in Canada?
5. When did Canada gain its independence?
6. What are the official languages in Canada?
7. What people live in Canada?
8. What is the main problem facing Canada today?
Vocabulary:
land area — площадь
population — население
border — граница
uninhabited — незаселенный
thinly populated — малонаселенный
severe — суровый
natural conditions — природные условия
federation — федерация
independent — независимый
Constitution Act — конституционный акт
British Monarch — английская королева
the United Kingdom — Соединенное Королевство
to recognize — признавать
ties — связи
to rule — править
domestic affairs — внутренние дела
to govern — управлять
foreign affairs — иностранные дела
ancestry — происхождение
official language — государственный язык
custom — обычай
ancestors — предки
Indians — индейцы
to make up — составлять
urban — городской
capital — столица
to maintain — сохранять
community — общность
government — правительство
to pay attention — уделять внимание
recognition — признание
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