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Five Interesting Facts About Canada

Canada is one of the most popular countries in the world to move to. With plenty of wide open spaces and stunning scenery, it ranks consistently well in quality of life surveys among expats.

If you are interested in international removals to Canada, here are five intriguing facts about the second largest country in the world. Only Russia is bigger.

Winnie-the-Pooh Originally Came from Canada

The famous stories by AA Milne were inspired by a Canadian bear cub. Named Winnipeg, or Winnie for short, the young bear came to England in 1915 with his owner, a Canadian lieutenant who was on his way to fight in the First World War in France.

Although Winnie became a regimental mascot, it was considered too dangerous to ship him over to France for active service, so he was kept at London Zoo, which is where AA Milne’s son, Christopher Robin, first saw him. He named his teddy bear after the real-life Winnie, inspiring his father to write the world-famous children’s stories.

The Country Has Six Time Zones

As Canada is one of the largest countries on earth, it has six time zones – running from west to east, these are the Pacific, Mountain, Central, Eastern, Atlantic and Newfoundland time zones. Pacific is usually eight hours behind Greenwich Mean Time, while Newfoundland is three and a half hours behind. For an added complication, all clocks go forward an hour on the second Sunday in March, and back an hour on the first Sunday in November.

Perhaps it is not so surprising that the country led the world in advocating the use of the 24-hour clock. An engineer called Sandford Fleming, who was born in Scotland but who emigrated to Canada when he was a teenager, promoted its use. He had missed a train following confusion over the timetable, which was still using the 12-hour system.

Trivial Pursuit was Invented Here

The board game Trivial Pursuit was created in December 1979 by two journalists in Montreal. They had originally intended to play a game of Scrabble but found some pieces missing, leading them to create a game of their own.

After some initial difficulties, Trivial Pursuit soon became one of the world’s most popular board games, with sales running into many millions.  In the standard edition, players must answer questions on geography, entertainment, history, arts and literature, science and nature, and sport and leisure, although there are many specialist versions of the game on the market now as well.

It’s Full of Lakes

Most people have heard of the Great Lakes on the border of Canada and the United States. However, what you may not know is that Canada has the highest number of natural lakes in the world.

There are more than two million lakes across the country, meaning that around 8% of Canada’s surface is covered with water. This means you can enjoy many of your favourite water sports here.

It’s the Most Educated Country in the World

Even though Canada does not really have a national school system – the provision is set down by the individual provinces – the country is widely recognised as having the best educated people in the world.

More than half (56%) of adults aged between 25 and 65 have had the benefit of some form of higher education, usually a degree or equivalent. And the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development rates the country’s teenagers as the best educated across the globe. Results are believed to be so good due to the lack of poverty (and disadvantaged pupils) across the country, and because all students are given plenty of opportunities to succeed.

International Removals to Canada with Hamiltons Removals

Hamiltons Removals is the place to come to for international removals to Canada. We have many years of experience in organising commercial and domestic moves to destinations across the country, including the major cities of Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa, Edmonton and Hamilton. Follow the link above if you would like to know more.

We can also help you with moves to other international destinations, including the USA, Australia and New Zealand.