| Canada, a land of vast distances and rich natural | | | | of Canadians. But Canada differs from many of them |
| resources, is the second largest country in the world. | | | | being a net exporter of energy with its vast deposits |
| The fresh water makes up over 10 percent of the | | | | of natural gas and large oil resources, the second |
| total area of Canada, and the coastline is the largest in | | | | largest of the world. Besides, hydroelectric power |
| the world (273,792 km). | | | | presents for Canada a cheap source of additional |
| Nearly all of it's (about 90 percent) of 30 million people | | | | abundant energy. |
| is concentrated within 160 km near the United States | | | | Along with it, due to its Prairies, Canada is world's most |
| Canada border. | | | | important suppliers of agricultural products, among |
| In 1867 it became a self-governing dominion with | | | | them wheat and other grains. Canada is also world's |
| parliamentary democracy retaining ties to British | | | | largest producer of many important natural resources |
| Crown. Also Canada economically and technologically | | | | such as zinc, uranium, gold, nickel, aluminum and lead. |
| developed in parallel with the United States, it differs | | | | Canada has as well a significant manufacturing sector |
| from its southern neighbor in many respects, such as | | | | with automobile industry especially important. |
| its economy; social, political, legal and health care | | | | Partly due to its large primary sector Canada maintains |
| systems. | | | | a great level of international trade, especially with the |
| Among its specific problems is the relationship with | | | | United States. The trade and economic integration of |
| Quebec, French-speaking province of unique culture. | | | | Canada with the United States have strongly |
| Another problem is the flow south to the United States | | | | increased after approving of the 1989 U.S. - Canada |
| of professionals caused by higher pay, lower takes, | | | | Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and 1994 North |
| and the rich high-tech infrastructure. | | | | America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). |
| Though differing in some respects, economically | | | | Since then Canada enjoys stable economic |
| Canada closely resembles the United States with its | | | | development, with real rates of grows nearly 3 |
| dynamic, high-tech industrial society, market-oriented | | | | percent, falling unemployment, and government budget |
| economic system, pattern of production and high living | | | | surpluses are being partially devoted to reducing the |
| standards. Being one of the world's wealthiest | | | | large public sector debt. This is mainly due to the |
| countries, Canada is a member of Group of Eight (G8) | | | | education and health sections, which are among |
| and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and | | | | Canada's largest, being largely under the government |
| Development (OECD). As for other most developed | | | | control. The rapid growth of health care has led to |
| states the service sector of Canada is the dominating | | | | problems for governments to finance it. |
| sector of its economy employing about three quarters | | | | |