## Basic information about Canada

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## Why go to Canada

Canada is one of those countries that attracts all the right people for the right reasons. If you want to spend a holiday in the fresh air and enjoy life in nature, then there really is no better destination on this planet. Hockey lovers will also enjoy themselves when visiting the NHL.

## The capital of Canada

Ottawa is the capital of Canada, although it is not the largest.

It is the second largest city in Ontario with the seat of the Canadian Parliament and has about 880,000 inhabitants. This attractive, landscaped and culturally vibrant city is divided by the picturesque Rideau Canal and is separated from the smaller town of Hull (Quebec Province) by the Ottawa River. It is just a 2.5 hour drive from Montreal and a 5 hour drive from Toronto. The nearest major US cities - Boston and New York - are about 8 hours away by car, but are easily reached by short (up to 90 minutes) direct flights.

## Flag of Canada

The flag of Canada in its current form was adopted on February 15, 1965. Therefore, February 15 is annually celebrated as Canadian National Flag Day. The national flag of Canada consists of two red rectangles on either side, a white square between them and an 11-pointed red maple leaf centered on a white square.

## The population of Canada

The current population of Canada is 37,690,124 (as of May 2020).

The population of Canada represents 0.48% of the total world population and thus ranks 39th in the list of countries by population. Due to the huge area of Canada, the population density is very low, at 4 people per km2. Canada's population density is so low, mainly because much of the country, especially in the north, is uninhabited. Most residents are concentrated along the US-Canadian border.

## Holidays in Canada

When planning a vacation in Canada, it may be helpful to review this list of public holidays in Canada in 2020. Most businesses, governments, banks, and stores are closed on the following days:

CALENDAR 2020

- New Year: January 1
- Good Friday: 10 April 2020
- Easter Monday: 13 April 2020
- Victoria Day / National Patriot: 18 May 2020
- Quebec Public Holiday: 24 June 2020 (Quebec only)
- Canada Day: 1 July 2020
- British Columbia Day: 3 August 2020 (BC only)
- Heritage Day - Alberta: 3 August 2020 (Alberta only)
- Labor Day: 7 September 2020
- Thanksgiving: 12 October 2020
- Memorial Day: 11 November 2020
- Christmas: 25 and 26 December 2020

## Canada sign

The coat of arms of Canada was awarded by the British King in 1921. The shield of the coat of arms is divided into 5 fields.

Field 1 - England - three lions on a red field
Field 2 - Scotland - Red lion on a yellow field
3rd field - Ireland - golden harp on a blue field
4th field - France - 3 lilies on a blue field
Field 5 - Canada - 3 red maple leaves on a white field

## Canada time zone

There are six time zones in Canada covering four and a half hours. From the first Sunday in November to the second Sunday in March, the zones are referred to as standard time zones. From the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November, most of Canada follows daylight saving time. The boundaries of the standard time zones do not necessarily have to be the same as the boundaries of the corresponding daylight saving time zones. The borders are shifting because some municipalities decide not to take part in summer time.

## 10 provinces of Canada

Canada is divided into 10 provinces and 3 territories in the north. The provinces are in alphabetical order: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and Saskatchewan. The three territories are the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and the Yukon.

The difference between a province and a territory is related to their administration. The territories have, in principle, been transferred under the supervision of the Canadian Parliament. They are grouped and ruled by the federal government. On the contrary, the provinces exercise constitutional powers independently.

## Currency in Canada

In Canada, it is paid in Canadian dollar, which consists of 100 cents. The coins come in denominations of 5 cents, 10 cents, 25 cents, $ 1 and $ 2. Banknotes are worth $ 5, $ 10, $ 20, $ 50 and $ 100.

Current exchange rates for the Czech Koruna on 5.5.2020 1 CAD=17.6830 CZK [Source: xe.com](https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/convert/?Amount=100&From=CZK&To=CAD1)

## Prices in Canada

If you travel anywhere in the world, it is always recommended to bring a cash mix and a bank / credit card. It's no different in Canada either.

ATMs are located in all major cities across the country. Credit cards are also generally accepted, although some facilities such as small hotels and shops, especially in remote areas, can only accept cash.

Restaurant:

- Boarding, cheap restaurant 16.00 C $
- Meals for 2 people, Middle-class restaurant, three-course menu 70.00 C $
- McMeal at McDonalds 10.00 C $
- Homemade beer (0.5 liter) 6.00 C $
- Imported beer (0.33 l bottle) 7.50 C $
- Coca Cola / Pepsi (0.33 l bottle) 2.30 C $
- Water (0.33 1 bottle) 1.90 C $

Trade:

- Milk (1 liter) 2.50 C $
- White bread (500 g) 2.90 C $
- Apples (1 kg) 4.05 C $
- Banana (1 kg) 1.70 C $
- Oranges (1 kg) 4.00 C $
- Water (1.5 l bottle) 2.30 C $
- Bottle of wine (medium range) 16.00 C $
- Homemade beer (0.5 l bottle) 2.97 C $
- Imported beer (0.33 l bottle) 3.70 C $
- Cigarettes 20pcs (Marlboro) 15.00 C $

Transportation:

- One-way ticket (local transport) 3.25 C $
- Monthly ticket (regular price) 97.00 C $
- Start of a taxi (normal tariff) 3.90 C $
- Taxi 1 km (normal fare) 2.00 C $
- Waiting for 1 hour taxi (normal tariff) 34.00 C $
- Petrol (1 liter) 1.20 C $

## Visa to Canada

Residents of the Czech Republic do not need a visa for a short-term stay in Canada for a period of 6 months with a tourist plan. However, before departure, it is necessary to obtain a travel registration ETA, which is mandatory and without it will not let you on board the aircraft.

The State Department recommends using only the [official website of the Government of Canada](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/eta/apply1.html) to complete the ETA registration. This avoids intermediaries, who in some cases charge up to several administration fees for this service.

In order to apply for an ETA, you must have:

- Valid passport (biometric).
- Credit / debit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express) or prepaid credit card.
- E-mail adress.
- The price for submitting an application is 7 CAD.

An ETA visa application is always submitted individually (one person, one application).
If you are traveling to Canada with the whole family, it is necessary for each individual and separately to apply for an ETA.

## Interesting facts about Canada

- Canada has the longest coastline in the world with a length of 202,080 km.
- Canada has more than 31,700 large lakes over 300 hectares in size. In fact, more than half of all lakes in the world are located in Canada.
- The longest Canadian river is the McKenzie River in the northwest. The river is 4,241 km long.
- The highest mountain in Canada is Mount Logan with a height of 5,959 meters in the Yukon Territory on the border with Alaska.

## Important contacts

**Where to call in case of emergency in Canada?**

Rescue service, fire brigade, police: 911

**Canada dialing code is 001.**

**Contacts at the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Ottawa:**

**Address:**

```txt
Embassy of the Czech Republic 251 Cooper Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 0G2
```

Phone: 001 - 613 562 3875

Email: ottawa@embassy.mzv.cz

Office hours are Monday to Thursday from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm, Friday from 8.00 am
until 2.30 pm

In the event of an emergency after working hours, you can contact the emergency number 001 - 613 794 2277. Only questions whose resolution cannot be postponed to the next working day will be answered on this number.

Further contacts can be found on the mzv.cz website

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A change of mandatory ETA registration is required before departure

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At the end of September you can admire the special colors of maple forests and other species of trees

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The exchange rate is around 18 CZK for 1 CAD

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## List of airports in Canada

The 30 largest airports in Canada.

| IATA | Name of the airport City                                    |
| ---- | ----------------------------------------------------------- | ------------- |
| YYZ  | Lester B. Pearson International Airport                     | Toronto       |
| YUL  | Montreal / Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport     | Montréal      |
| YVR  | Vancouver International Airport                             | Vancouver     |
| YYC  | Calgary International Airport                               | Calgary       |
| YEG  | Edmonton International Airport                              | Edmonton      |
| YHZ  | Halifax / Stanfield International Airport                   | Halifax       |
| YOW  | Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport              | Ottawa        |
| YQB  | Quebec Jean Lesage International Airport                    | Quebec        |
| YZF  | Yellowknife Airport                                         | Yellowknife   |
| YWG  | Winnipeg / James Armstrong Richardson International Airport | Winnipeg      |
| YYT  | St. John's International Airport                            | St. John's    |
| YLW  | Kelowna International Airport                               | Kelowna       |
| YZV  | Sept-Îles Airport                                           | Sept-Îles     |
| YQM  | Greater Moncton International Airport                       | Moncton       |
| YQT  | Thunder Bay Airport                                         | Thunder Bay   |
| YWK  | Wabush Airport                                              | Wabush        |
| YYJ  | Victoria International Airport                              | Victoria      |
| YMM  | Fort McMurray Airport                                       | Fort McMurray |
| YQQ  | Comox Airport                                               | Comox         |
| YQR  | Regina International Airport                                | Regina        |
| YTS  | Timmins / Victor M. Power                                   | Timmins       |
| YXE  | Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport         | Saskatoon     |
| YXT  | Northwest Regional Airport Terrace-Kitimat                  | Terrace       |
| YEV  | Inuvik Mike Zubko Airport                                   | Inuvik        |
| YKA  | Kamloops Airport                                            | Kamloops      |
| YKF  | Waterloo Airport                                            | Kitchener     |
| YQG  | Windsor Airport                                             | Windsor       |
| YRT  | Rankin Inlet Airport                                        | Rankin Inlet  |
| YSB  | Sudbury Airport                                             | Sudbury       |
| YUY  | Rouyn Noranda Airport                                       | Rouyn-Noranda |

### List of airports in Vancouver

- Vancouver Coal Harbour airport - CXH
- Vancouver Boundary Bay airport - YDT
- Vancouver International airport - YVR

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is located directly in Richmond and is the second busiest air hub in Canada. Over 22 million passengers and more than 50 different airlines from Canada, the USA and around the world fly through them every year.

Skytrax has named the airport the best airport in North America ten times in a row.

With more than 150 shops, restaurants and bars to choose from, YVR is always a good starting or ending point for any journey. Various duty-free shops at the airport are becoming increasingly popular among passengers waiting for departure.

After checking, passengers can also visit the huge aquarium, a smaller part of which is dedicated exclusively to jellyfish.

Arrival to the YVR is stress-free as the airport is very well marked and also has a number of volunteers who will be happy to advise. International departures are from the main terminal.

Transportation between the airport and downtown Richmond or Vancouver is provided by train, which runs every few minutes from early morning until late at night. Downtown Vancouver is a 20-minute drive away.

You can also take a taxi from the airport, rent a car or request a hotel shuttle, as your hotel provides.

### List of airports in Toronto

- Toronto Island airport - YTZ
- Toronto Pearson International airport -YYZ

YYZ is Canada's main airport and a major hub to destinations on all continents. It is ideally located between the eastern and western parts of Canada and is close to the northern border with the United States. YYZ Airport is located in Mississauga, 27 km northwest of downtown Toronto.

It has 5 runways and 45 million passengers pass through it every year. The busiest time is between 15: 00-19: 00, while ocean-going flights from East Asia have the most late-night arrivals and flights from Europe at noon.

Not only is it the largest airport in Canada, but it is also aesthetically beautiful, very spacious and well managed. You will find plenty of food and shopping here. The top, modern and clean airport is not only a gateway to North America, but is also a cultural center with a permanent art collection and art exhibits. The permanent collection contains eight exhibits created by artists from around the world.

In addition to YYZ, there are five other international airports in Ontario, Canada, which serve to cover the region's high tourism.

Airports

On the east and west coasts in summer, average temperatures are usually as low as 20 degrees Celsius, while inland, average summer temperatures range from 25 to 30 degrees Celsius, with occasional extreme heat in some areas exceeding 40 degrees Celsius.

The best time to visit Central and Southern Canada, where most places are located, is from late summer to early autumn (ie from late August to late September). This way you can avoid temperature extremes and you can enjoy calm and often sunny weather (so-called Indian summer, which sometimes lasts until October).

At the end of September, you can admire the spectacular colors of maple forests and other tree species. The period from late spring to early summer, ie from late May to late June, may also be fine. The warmest period (July - August) should not be completely avoided. Although sometimes it can be too hot, with occasional storms.

The worst period except winter (December to February) is possibly the period of snow melting. This may vary depending on the month of the year and area. It occurs around April in central and southern Canada: melting snow turns into mud and travel becomes difficult, at least outside the city.

In northern areas, summer is the only time when the temperature rises above the melting point, but traveling may be easier when all the land is frozen. In high latitudes, you can see white nights in June, while beyond the Arctic Circle the sun never sets longer or shorter, depending on latitude. At Easter, the vast northern territory is still frozen, but the days are long enough. In winter, especially in December, the days are very short.

## Weather in Toronto

In the Great Lakes region, in the lowlands of southern Ontario and Quebec (Montréal, Toronto, Ottawa, Quebec), the climate is still continental, but it is also humid and rainfall is around 1,000 mm per year, well distributed throughout the year.

{{< guide-forecast7 code="43d65n79d38/toronto" >}}

Winter is cold, often freezing, characterized by dry and sunny days alternating with periods of bad weather and snowfall. Spring comes relatively late and is very cold. In summer, which is not long, rainy and cold days alternate with hot and sunny days, during which storms can break out in the afternoon.

In Toronto, the average temperature in January is -5.5 ° C, but the temperature drops below -20 ° C in a few days almost every year. Summer days in Toronto are usually warm and sometimes even hot with the possibility of storms, but it can also be cold and rainy days. July and August have an average temperature of 15-16 degrees. Near Toronto is Lake Ontario, which is very cold in winter, while in summer it is almost acceptable for swimming, at least for some people. It will reach 21 ° C in August.

## Weather in Vancouver

The Pacific coast has an oceanic climate that is very different from the rest of the country. Winters are relatively mild but rainy. Usually the temperature is above freezing, although almost every year there can be several days of snow and frost. Summers are cold and quite sunny, although sometimes it can rain.

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Vancouver is the only large city in Canada that does not freeze in winter. The average temperature is 4 ° C in January and 18 ° C in July. The climate is similar to London (although summer in Vancouver is sunnier). The sea in Vancouver and along the coast of British Columbia is always cold. It is warmest in July and August and it is only 14 degrees Celsius.

## When to fly to Canada

### Cheapest flights to Toronto in the context of weather

The graph describes the minimum prices of tickets found to Toronto and their development by weeks. Additional data on the graph show average day and night temperatures and total precipitation, if data are available. Click on the individual columns in the graph to get more detailed [current data from the search engine](/).

{{% FutureFlightPriceChart
  destination="YYZ"
%}}

So you can see which date is best for your trip to Toronto due to the development of the weather in the destination and the current ticket price.

### Cheapest flights to Toronto

The following chart shows the lowest price of air tickets from Vienna to Toronto in the context of the weather. Click on the individual columns in the graph to get a more detailed current [search engine data](/).

{{% FutureFlightPriceChart
  destination="YYZ"
%}}

Weather

## Cities in Canada

The most famous cities in Canada reflect the diversity of the population. Because each city has its own uniqueness, Canada has a lot to offer to explore all types of tourists.

### Ottawa

Although Toronto and Montreal are better known, Ottawa is the capital of Canada. The charm of Ottawa is that it is a thoughtfully designed and especially pedestrian friendly city.

Many historic buildings, especially the Houses of Parliament and Laurier Castle, are lovingly preserved. One of the most famous landmarks in Ottawa is the Rideau Canal, which passes through the city and at temperatures below freezing becomes the largest ice rink in the world.

### Toronto

Toronto is the country's financial center with a large number of different populations and neighborhoods, including Greek, Italian and Korean, and the second largest Chinese city in North America.

Toronto is probably the most famous city in Canada thanks to the Toronto International Film Festival, the CN Tower and sports clubs such as the Blue Jays, Toronto Maple Leafs and Raptors.

In addition to all the capital's city attractions such as museums, great shopping and live theater, Toronto offers a long waterfront on Lake Ontario and three rivers that cross the city, providing relaxation through sidewalks and parks.

Toronto is less than two hours from the border with the USA and thus Niagara Falls.

### Vancouver

Vancouver is where the ocean meets the mountains. In addition to spectacular natural beauty, this coastal metropolis of British Columbia has a relaxed charm, making it one of Canada's most popular cities to visit.

Vancouver is also the gateway to all kinds of adventures in the area, including Whistler / Blackcomb Ski Resort and many coastal islands. The city also serves as a port stop for cruise ships, which are most often headed to Alaska.

The city is less than three hours from Seattle and boasts an exceptional public transportation system that can take visitors from downtown Vancouver International Airport in approximately 20 minutes.

### Calgary

The spirit of the old west is alive and still felt in Calgary, where cowboy hats and dances are still in vogue. The Calgary Stampede Festival has introduced this city to visitors. Well, it became one of Canada's top destinations mainly due to the fact that it was the first host of the 1988 Winter Olympics.

Calgary is Alberta's largest city and offers all the hospitality options such as hotels, restaurants and other small things that accompany the city center. It has had great prosperity since the 1990s. The proximity of Calgary to Banff, the Rocky Mountains, ice fields and other natural phenomena is also a great attraction for this region.

### Dawson City

Dawson City is a city in the northwest of the country located on the Yukon River. It is an incredible community that has preserved its past. The city invites you to the past, where you can walk through a wooden town, visit the national _historical wealth_. You can try your luck and pan for gold, because gold mines are still in operation.

## Nature in Canada

Canadian nature is enchanting. Surely everyone will come to their own. However, we bring you a list of the most beautiful natural places in Canada.

### Banff National Park

Banff National Park is the jewel of Canada. Founded in 1885, it is the oldest national park in Canada and features Canada's most beautiful scenery. It is home to the magical green waters of Lake Louise, the Icefields Parkway and stunning views of glaciers and mountain peaks. Visitors are surrounded by these beauties all year round.

There are many ways you can enjoy magnificent views of Banff. The Banff Gondola, popular with tourists, offers a relaxing 8-minute ride to Mount Sulfur, where visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of the Bow Valley and Banff. On the other hand, more adventurous tourists can walk along the 5.7 km of footpath.

Activities in Banff National Park vary by season. In summer, you can go hiking, fishing and cycling.

Banff National Park turns into a winter wonderland in the cold months of December to March. Lake Louise Ski Resort and Sunshine Village are important ski destinations in Canada, where tourists during this period will focus on winter activities such as skiing, snowtubing, dog sledding and ice fishing.

### Jasper National Park

Jasper National Park is located in the middle of the Rocky Mountains. It is an incredible and large park that offers everything from hiking to stunning glaciers. Jasper National Park is the perfect place for active activities and there are plenty of outdoor activities for visitors. Hiking, wilderness trips, climbing, fishing, camping and horse riding are just some of the many options. Don't miss the park's main attractions, including the beautiful Athabasca Falls, breathtaking views from the Jasper SkyTram and the beautiful waters of Medicine Lake.

### Glacier National Park

Thanks to its exceptional alpine scenery and deep valley, Glacier National Park is a year-round paradise. It is the first national park founded in British Columbia and is one of the most interesting parks.

### Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls is one of the most famous waterfalls on the planet. The waterfalls themselves are a combination of three waterfalls (Horseshoe Falls, American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls) along the Canadian-American border. They are 57 meters high and fall into a large lake below them. The Canadian Horseshoe Falls, which are not the tallest in the world, are impressively the strongest waterfall in North America.

Whether you're looking at waterfalls nearby from a cruise ship, an aerial view from a helicopter, or standing by them, there's no wrong way to witness this beauty.

Shops, casinos and restaurants are also available in the area and visitors should not miss the stunning panoramic views of Niagara Falls from the Skylon Tower terraces.

### Capilano Suspension Bridge

The Capilano Suspension Bridge is a 15-minute drive from downtown Vancouver. Since
1889 attracts visitors and locals. It's a swinging bridge over a canyon
Capilano, making it one of Canada's most popular attractions. The reason is simple - there are so many things to see. It is 137m long and at a height of 70m above the river.

### Horseshoe Falls

One of the three waterfalls that make up Niagara Falls. It is also the largest of the three waterfalls. Two-thirds of them are located in Ontario, Canada, and one-third in the United States. It is rightly called the "jewel of Niagara." With a height of 52 meters and a width of 670 meters, over 2,271,240 liters of water flow through it every second.

### Butchart Gardens

A trip to Vancouver Island is not complete without a visit to Butchart Gardens. Located in Brentwood Bay - near Victoria - this famous landmark is home to a cluster of beautiful gardens with hundreds of varieties of flowers. It is one of the main attractions on Vancouver Island and is so popular that tourists spending a few days in Vancouver often take day trips to the island.

The gardens receive almost a million visitors each year.

The current owner and CEO is Robin-Lee Clarke, the great-granddaughter of the founding couple.

### Gros Morne National Park Newfoundland

This other world-renowned national park is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its comprehensive geology. Gros Morne National Park is the second largest national park in eastern Canada, covering 11,805 km2 of West Newfoundland. The views are stunning, as this huge park contains about 600m high cliffs, some of the highest waterfalls in Canada and also sandy beaches, rocky lakes and forests.

Tablelands, a unique rock massif in the park, was formed by the collision of continents and the grinding of glaciers. The park is rich not only in its landscape, but also in its significant history.

There are five campsites in the park, where Kemper can enjoy summer days at Berry Hill, Shallow Bay, Trout Tiver Pond, Lomond or Greenpoint Campground.

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Additional fees are for camping, hiking, etc. A car is recommended and it is the most convenient way to get around this huge park. If you don't mind cycling or walking down the hills, then this would be your second alternative!

If you own a canoe or kayak, Trout River and Bonne Bay are great places to do this.

## Canada's highest mountain, Mount Logan

Mount Logan is the highest mountain in Canada and the second highest in North America. It measures 5959m. This mountain is located in Kluane National Park, in the Yukon, Canada. It is the center of the largest glacier area in North America. The expedition led by A. H. MacCarthy and H. F. Lambert on June 23, 1925 was the first to reach the top. It is located in the St. Elias Mountains of the Yukon, in one of the largest mountain blocks in the world. Mount Logan has several peaks that rise above a snow and ice plateau reaching a distance of 19 kilometers. Now there are 13 different paths to this mountain.

Guide to Canada

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