• United States!

    United States: Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Go Now!

    United States
    Explore the vast openness and wildlife found roaming in the western United States, including Theodore Roosevelt National Park (pictured) in North Dakota. Begin Your Journey!

  • Trinidad & Tobago!

    Trinidad & Tobago: Beautiful Coastline. Go Now!

    Trinidad & Tobago
    These Caribbean islands mix Indian, African, and European cultures alongside beautiful beaches. Go Now!

  • St. Kitts & Nevis!

    St. Kitts & Nevis: Nevis Island. Go Now!

    St. Kitts & Nevis
    This island nation mixes aspects of European, African, and Caribbean culture... not to mention incredible beaches. Go Now!

  • Honduras!

    Honduras: Children. Go Now!

    Honduras
    The original banana republic, Honduras has made a name for itself with the banana trade; however foreign influences have also vastly altered the culture. Go Now!

  • Mexico!

    Mexico: Sunrise over the mountains in Puerto Vallarta. Go Now!

    Mexico
    Although many people just go for the beaches, Mexico offers impressive mountain vistas (pictured in Puerto Vallarta), great food, and historic ruins that compete with the best in the world. Begin Your Journey!

  • Barbados!

    Barbados: Pier on the beach. Go Now!

    Barbados
    This Caribbean island has hints of British culture, but is wholly Caribbean as well. Explore Barbados!

Ethnicity, Language, & Religion of Canada

Ethnicity

As an immigrant destination country there are people from nearly every ethnic background in Canada, but nearly half the population is descended from either the French or the people of the British Isles. These two groups of people were the earliest European immigrants to Canada so make up the largest percentage of the people; however before these immigrants arrived there were a large number of "First Nations" people or American Indians. Today these people make up less than 5% of the population although in some areas, such as Nunavut, they make up the majority. In addition to these groups, there are a large number of ethnic Europeans from other parts of the continent along with a growing number of Asians, Africans, and Arabs.

Language

Canada has two official languages: English and French. Everyone in the country must learn these languages in schools as nearly 60% of the population are native English speakers and about 25% are native French speakers. Despite the requirement to learn both English and French, many people don't use the opposite language and soon forget it. Despite this, there are people in all parts of the country who are fluent in both languages.

There are numerous other languages spoken in homes, most particularly among immigrants and second generation immigrants. Many American Indians also speak native languages, with Inuit being the language of the many First Nations people in Nunavut. For these First Nations peoples as well as immigrants, most will learn French, English, or both. Quebec and parts of other eastern provinces are primarily French-speaking, while Ontario and everything west, as well as much of the Maritimes provinces are generally English-speaking.

Religion

Nearly half of Canada's population is Roman Catholic, including nearly all of the ethnic French. Another quarter of the population is protestant in various forms. Another 15% or so prescribe to no particular religion and the rest of the people follow numerous other religions.

Catholicism is a Christian religion that is one of the first Christian religions (founded after the death of Jesus in about 30-33 AD). Catholicism believes that there is a single God who created everything, a savior, the son of God, Jesus Christ who is the forgiver of sins, and there is the Holy Spirit, which makes up the last part of the Holy Trinity. Catholics follow the teachings of the Bible, consisting of the Old and New Testaments. Much of the faith is based on the life and teachings of Jesus, which is found in the gospels (in the New Testament).

Continue reading on Safari the Globe to Learn the Catholic Church's doctrines, liturgy, symbolism, traditions, & hierarchy

Protestantism is a general term referring to nearly every Christian religion that is not Catholic or Orthodox. Like all Christian faiths, Protestants believe there is one God and that His son, Jesus is the savior and forgiver of sins. Protestants also believe that the Bible, which includes the Old and New Testaments, is the only true word of God. Due to this reliance on the Bible, nearly every protestant faith, and even individual, may interpret the Bible differently, which has led to a huge number of Protestant churches.

This page was last updated: May, 2014