Top Canadian Vacation Destinations

Canada is a beautiful vacation destination – with 10 provinces and three territories – it is the second largest country in the world, with 3.8 million square miles (9.9 million square kilometres), this beautiful country touches three oceans – the Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic. Besides the 151,473 mile-long coast line, Canada’s provinces and territories have a lot to offer travellers. Each of the country’s provinces and territories include some truly wonderful vacation destinations.

<i><b>British Columbia</b></i>

British Columbia is on the West coast of Canada and boasts two of the country’s top destinations for vacation. The city of Vancouver, which is located on the mainland, boasts many tourist destinations including the Vancouver aquarium. The city of Victoria is on Vancouver Island and has many different tourist hot spots, including many nautical and naval centers that thrive in the tourist sector. At both Vancouver and Victoria, you can enjoy water sports such as sailing, water skiing, scuba diving and much more. On the mainland closer to Alberta, nestled in the Rocky Mountains, you can enjoy Radium or Fairmount natural sulphur hot springs, known world wide for their healing qualities.

<i><b>Alberta</b></i>

There are two main cities in Alberta – Calgary and Edmonton. Edmonton, the capital of the province, offers many different places for tourists to enjoy. Calgary is famous for the annual Calgary Stampede, held the second week in June. Calgary is also famous for the Calgary Tower, which contains a revolving restaurant that provides a nearly 360 degree view of the city. From either Alberta or British Columbia, you can access the Rocky Mountains. In Alberta, Banff is a town nestled in the mountains, and it offers many specialty stores and natural sulphur hot springs. These hot springs are an excellent way to relax.

<i><b>Saskatchewan</b></i>

With both Regina and Saskatoon in the province of Saskatchewan, there are plenty of opportunities for vacation places. This province has many cultural attractions such as museums and national parks. If you plan a trip to Saskatchewan, you may want to consider visiting the Mendel Art Gallery or the Buffalo Pound Provincial Park.

<i><b>Manitoba</b></i>

During the summer months, there are plenty of tourist places to visit in Manitoba. One of the major places to see and enjoy is Minnedosa Lake, which is a popular lake resort and summer hot spot for locals and tourists. There are other lakes and lake resorts throughout the province to enjoy also.

<i><b>Ontario</b></i>

Ontario is one of the hottest places to visit in Canada. Toronto, the largest city in Canada, as well as Ottawa, the capital of the country, both offer impressive tourist destinations to visit. Toronto and its surrounding areas have many stores, museums and of course, the CN Tower. Throughout the southern end of Ontario, there are miles of lake front property along some of the Great Lakes. There are also many different wineries in the southern end of the province, particularly around Niagara on the Lake. Another attraction that you cannot miss in Ontario is Niagara Falls. From Niagara Falls, you can see both the Canadian and United States sides of the falls, which are beautiful day and night.

Most people when considering a trip to Canada often end up going to Ontario to visit these major attractions, as well as many more that reside within the province.

<i><b>Quebec</b></i>

Quebec is a richly historic location to visit, especially throughout Quebec City. Quebec has many attractions to consider visiting and these include many cathedrals and other historic buildings. However, you should keep in mind that the primary language in Quebec is French.

<i><b>New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland</b></i>

These provinces are the maritime provinces of the country and each offer a unique experience. In Nova Scotia, there are many naval centers to enjoy, including places like Peggy’s Cove, Halifax harbor and Dartmouth. Prince Edward Island is a beautiful little island nestled in the Maritime Provinces. The view is something to behold in this great tourist destination for your vacation.

<i><b>Yukon Territory, Northwest Territories, Nunavut</b></i>

These three are the impressive territories of the north in Canada. The Yukon Territories are on the western end of the north and are attached to Alaska, which is part of the United States. Beside the Yukon Territories is the Northwest Territories, with Nunavut nestled underneath. There are many things to see and do in the territories, however many people do not consider these tourist destinations because of the intense cold that often envelops the area.

Throughout Canada, there is much to see and do. Vast spaces of land, farm land and wildlife preserves, from the Pacific to Atlantic oceans. You can also visit the Rocky Mountain Range to the flat western provinces; there are many things to enjoy throughout this wonderful country. Canadians pride themselves as being known for their kindness. Visit Canada and enjoy wide open freedom and fun in the second largest country in the world.

Stephanie Larkin
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-tips-articles/top-canadian-vacation-destinations-727962.html

Canadian Lynx

One of the four members of the lynx genus, the Canadian Lynx is an inhabitant mainly of Canada and Alaska, with some individuals recorded in certain parts of northern United States. A resident largely of snowy mountainous areas, it is adapted physically to survive in cold weathers. Though smaller than the Eurasian Lynx, the Canadian Lynx is a formidable predator with a size twice as big as the domestic cat. Males are larger, with an average weight of twenty five pounds and length nearing three feet.

A beautiful cat, the coat of the Canadian Lynx is thick and silvery brown with darkish markings that are often hard to spot in the dense fur. Neck is covered with a thick ruff of hair and ears, as with other lynx species, are tipped by long hair tufts. Tail is short like that of the Bobcat, though it is completely black – unlike that of the Bobcat whose tail is black on the upper and white on the lower surface. Hind legs are longer and paws are broad, aiding the cat to walk on snow.

A secretive and largely solitary feline, the Canadian Lynx is a diurnal hunter. A specialized predator in large parts of its range – the cat preys mostly on the snowshoe hare. In fact its population corresponds directly to the rise and fall of the hare population in its range. Other mid-sized animals are also taken including birds, small ungulates and rodents and scavenging is often observed in winter on left over deer and caribou carcasses.

Average lifespan of this cat is around fifteen years. After a gestation period of two months, mother gives birth to up to eight kittens – the number correlating to the abundance of prey animals at that point in time. The young stay with the mother until they can fend for themselves. Sexual maturity is reached at nearly two years.

The lynx is easily trapped and mainly hunted for its fur. It also suffers indirectly at the hand of hunters since its main prey animal – the rabbit – is widely killed for sport. Though not critically endangered yet, the loss of prey and habitat has led to the decline of the beautiful cat in many parts of its former range.

Omer Ashraf
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/canadian-lynx-354214.html