• 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!

History of Canada

Canada is a result of their history beginning with the First Nations Peoples and continuing today with the vast number of immigrants arriving daily. Unlike the aboriginals of modern-day Mexico or Peru, the First Nations People have little remaining architecture still standing, however their cultural impact remains strong throughout the country.

From before the time of the European's arrival in the "New World" the local populations in modern-day Canada were varied from the seafaring and totem-pole making people of the Pacific coast to the central nomads who roamed with the food and seasons to the log cabin dwelling natives hunting and fishing on the Great Lakes.

In the 1500s immigrants from Europe began arriving in substantial numbers, particularly from England and France. These people changed the dynamic among the First Nations People, each of whom found these new immigrants as enemies, trading partners, or allies. As the English and French fought so too did the aboriginals who planned their allegiances with whoever provided the best economic rewards or ally to fight their historic enemy.

As the powers in Europe fought so did their colonies in the "New World" as the locals took sides with the French or English while many found themselves fighting another's battle or continuing a war with a neighbor that had been ongoing for generations.

In 1763 France lost power over "New France" as the English took full control of the North American colonies. However the French in "New France" maintained their identity, religion, language, and customs.

In 1840 the French and English united to create one government and later, in 1867 they created their own country. After some growing pains and separation issues from the motherland, Canada finally gained full independence from the United Kingdom in 1982 with the Canada Act, making the English monarch the head of state, however solely in a nominal fashion.

During the 1800s and 1900s the population was more evenly distributed further to the west. During this same period, the French in Quebec have gone back and forth of whether to secede or not and the First Nations Peoples have gained greater rights, particularly in 1960 with full citizenship.

Since about 1990 immigration to Canada has become more diverse and much of the west coast, particularly Vancouver, has a strong Asian presence. Despite this diversity, the people still unite as one when the world watches and during the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver the nation displayed their diversity, while demonstrating how each aspect was uniquely Canadian.

This page was last updated: March, 2013