Driving in Canada: Advice & Tips
Canada is extremely large in area, so driving cross-country can be an adventure chore. Choose a car hire in Canada and explore its vast, gorgeous land...
Find out more about driving in Canada
Other places to visit in Canada
There is something for everyone in Canada, from the sea-loving Maritime Provinces in the east; to the sophisticated cities of Toronto, Montreal and Va...
Popular tourist destinations to visit in Canada
History of Canada
The history of Canada is reminiscent of many different eras of time; each representing a defined stage of the development of the country and contributing to the present-day Canada. In the past, this country was inhabited by groups of Aboriginal people who were the harbingers of the evolution of trade networks, spiritual beliefs, and social hierarchies in this land. The first European contact was probably in the early 11th century, when Norse Vikings found the east coast and left remnants of settlements. No more Europeans came until the late 15th century, when parts of Canada were claimed by the Portuguese. They soon focused on South America, however, leaving Canada to the French and the British.
In the 17th century, the French made inroads into eastern Canada, an influence which still exists today in the French-speaking province of Quebec. Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, the British and French fought for possession of Canada, with the British ultimately winning. In 1867, Canada gained its independence from Britain and became a federal dominion of four provinces. Over the years, cultural elements from Aboriginals, French, British and immigrant communities have combined to form the Canadian culture we now know. At present the country consists of ten provinces and three territories, and is governed as both parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy, the head of which is Queen Elizabeth II. Why not hire a car in Canada to explore its many historical places, which capture the essence of the country's heritage and cultural past. Famed destinations with a historical bent include the Royal Ontario Museum, Royal Alberta Museum, the Hockey Hall of Fame, a drive through the Maritimes, and a tour of the west coast.
The geography of Canada
Being the second largest country in the world, Canada’s geographical landscape is vast and diverse. The territory of Canada spans from the Pacific Ocean in the west, to the Atlantic Ocean in the east, to the Arctic Ocean in the north and the United States in south. For its large size, the population of Canada is quite small as much of the landscape is still wilderness, covered by boreal forests. In the east, the ancient Appalachian Mountains create a scenic, rolling beauty up the coast. Most of Canada’s population is situated in the lowlands where the Great Lakes feed the St. Lawrence River. A vast prairie opens up in the central and near western parts of the country, which gives way to the Canadian Rockies. Many great rivers, including the St. Lawrence, the Fraser and the Columbia, drain the country, which is also filled with lakes of all sizes. To the north is the Canadian Arctic, with its frozen tundra and great mountain ranges. Find a cheap car hire in Canada and visit the widely varied geographical features of this vast land, which give rise to a great number of outdoor adventures.
Weather in Canada
Canada is a very cold country. Much of the country has a severe winter with prolonged frost and snow. The Hudson Bay remains frozen over for about nine months of the year! There are only a few places, like the Pacific coast of British Columbia, the Atlantic coasts of Newfoundland, and the Maritime Provinces in Canada, which have harbors that are not known to regularly freeze in winter. The interiors of Canada are characterized by a continental climate with high summer temperatures, in spite of the shortness of the summer season, and a long, dark and extremely cold winter. We recommend you hire a car in Canada to explore the country in the summer, or drive (carefully) during the winter to ski resorts and cities like Québec , Toronto and Winnipeg which are known to host big winter carnivals. If looking for a crow-free holiday and pleasant weather, head to the country anytime between March and May or September and October.