From the history of Canada

Canada was thinly populated … different Indian tribes. They spoke different languages and were often … war with one another. … the Far North there were tribes of Eskimos.

Modern Canada originated as a country … immigrants. The First European appeared on Canadian soil … 15th and 16^th centuries.

French explorer Jacques Cartier, who discovered the Gulf of St. Lawrence … 1534, is generally regarded as the founder of Canada. But English seaman John Cabot sighted Newfoundland 37 years earlier, in 1497, and Vikings are believed to have reached the Atlantic coast centuries … either explorers.

Then many temporary settlements of Spanish, Portuguese, English and French fishmen began to appear … the coasts of Newfoundland.

The French explorers established the first permanent settlements … Quebec (1608) and Montreal (1642), and declared New France a colony in 1663.

The early period of Canadian history passed … the struggle between the two powers, France and England.

Britain, as part of its American expansion, acquired Acadia (later Nova Scotia) in 1717. Britain … military victory over French forces … Canada captured Quebec (1759) and obtained control of the rest of New France in 1763.

During the American Revolution about 40 000 English colonists, who preferred to remain … British rule, crossed the frontier to Canada. The balance of forces was altered and the English speaking settlers became the majority.

In 1791 Canada was divided … Upper Canada (English-speaking) and Lower Canada (French-speaking).

Fur traders and explorers led Canadians westward across the continent. Sir Alexander Mackenzie reached the Pacific 1793.

In 1840 the Lower and Upper Canada were united … the Act of Union and given internal self-government in 1848.

The union lasted … Confederation, July I, 1857, when proclamation of the British North America Act launched the Dominion of Canada, consisting … Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

The completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway … 1885 opened up the prairies and the Northwest. Saskatchewan and Alberta joined the federation in 1905.

In 1945 the Dominion of Canada became the member … the UN (United Nations).

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1. How large is Canada?

2. Where is Canada situated?

3. What oceans is Canada washed by?

4. What is the capital of Canada?

5. What is Canada’s climate?

6. What are the main lakes in Canada?

7. What are the most important rivers in Canada?

8. Why do the Niagara and the St. Lawrence play a very important role in Canada’s economy?

9. What is Western Canada famous for?

10. What is the tallest peak of Canada?

11. How can Canada be divided into?

12. What are the main natural resources in Canada?

13. Is Canada densely populated country?