Canada is the second largest country in the world (9,970,610 km2) and in 1999, the population of Canada was estimated to have reached 30.4 million. However, due to Canada's large geographic land mass, it has one of the smallest population density ratios in the world at 2.9 persons/km.
Canada is made up of ten provinces: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundlad; and two territories: Yukon and North Western.

Languages : the official languages in Canada are English, (mainly spoken in New Foundland and Prince Edward Island) and French (mainly spoken in Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.) However, one can come across international communities where other languages are spoken such as Chinese, Italian, German, just to name a few.
The predominant religion is the Roman Catholic church, but other religions like Protestant and Eastern non-Christian (Islam, Buddhism) are also practiced.

Student Population :
Number of students: 1.5 million
Universities :
700.000
Community colleges :
105.000
Number of foreign students:
In 1998, more than 101,000 foreign students were enrolled in Canadian institutions.
Capital: Ottawa (pop: 325,000)
Principle cities : Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal
Principle University cities:
   Montreal (McGill, Concordia, University of Montreal),
   Toronto (University of Toronto, York University),
   Vancouver (University of British Columbia),
   Ottawa (Carleton University, University of Ottawa),
   Calgary (University of Calgary),
   Edmonton (University of Alberta),
   Victoria (University of Victoria),
   Waterloo (University of Waterloo),
   Hamilton (McMaster University),
   London (University of Western Ontario),
   Kingston (Queen's University)


Local information
Cultural Activities :
Canadians enjoy the open air and therefore there are a number of outdoor activities that can be found nationwide. Check newspapers and provincial visitor centers to find out when there are free national park events and special summer offers, such as the Native Canadian pow-wows, rodeos with the Calgary Stampede, the New Brunswick Lobster Festival, or the Changing of the Guard in Ottawa.

As for movies, Toronto boasts the largest movie-going population in North America and the renowned ten-day International Film Festival. As for live entertainment Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver all invite local and international musicians to participate in their summer jazz festivals.

The major theater, opera, dance, and musical groups are based in the large cities, but they do schedule nation wide tours as well as travels to foreign countries. Toronto's live theater scene is the third largest in the English-speaking world, trailing those in London and New York.

Climate and seasons:
As a result of Canada's large land mass one can experience many different climates. The climates can range from the permanently frozen ice caps north of the 70th parallel to the lush vegetation of British Columbia's west coast. However, on the whole Canada has four very distinct seasons, particularly in the more populated regions along the US border. Daytime summer temperatures can rise to 35_C and higher, while lows of -25_C are not uncommon during the winter. More moderate temperatures are the norm in spring and fall. Due to Canada's various climates, one can find an incredible mix of native flora and fauna, which explains the existence of many vegetation zones across Canada, most of which are dominated by prairie.

Currency : Canadian dollar ($ CDN)
1 US $ = 1.2 CDN $
1 Euro =1.8CDN $
The unit of currency is the Canadian dollar, which equals 100 cents. The most common paper currency in Canada comes in $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 denominations. Coins appear in 1 cent (pennies), 5 cents (nickels), 10 cents (dimes), 25 cents (quarters), $1 (loonies) and $2 (twoonies) denominations.

It is best to change a small amount of currency into Canadian money before arriving to Canada, as banks are open from Monday to Friday, during the working hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Before changing money, do not forget to ask about any extra charges.
Telephone:
The country code is 1.  Each region also has an area code (for example,
  if you want to call Montreal from outside Canada, not including the United States, dial 00 1 514 xxx xxxx
(00 for an international call, 1 for North America, 514 which is the area code for Montreal, and then the 7 digit number, indicated by the x's)
Canadians normally use city/regional codes (i.e. 514 is Montreal, 403 is Calgary,
etc.)
To call abroad from Canada:   011+country code+number
Time Zones:
There are five time zones across Canada,
Standard Time in the East, which is GMT/UTC minus 3 hours, to Pacific Standard Time in the West, which is GMT/UTC minus 8 hours

Studying in Canada is not free, but it is affordable. Every post-secondary student in Canada has to pay tuition fees. It is, however, more expensive for foreign students than it is for Canadian students. For example the average tuition fee for one academic year for a foreign student enrolled in an Arts & Science degree is from CDN $9,800 (US$6,322). The application fee is usually between CDN $30-50. University fees can differ from one another, depending on the province, institution, program of study, and the year of study. The admissions staff will help you determine the fees required.

All the necessary information for foreign students about academic programs, recruitment and procedures can be found at: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/ics-cki/recruit-interstudent-e.asp, but here is a bit of information.

Language proficiency:
You will need to have a proficient level of understanding of either French or English, to be able to follow course lectures and reading assignments. Language requirements are set by each institution. Some post-secondary institutions might ask you to take a language test such as TOEFL or IELTS, but Canadian universities often have their own tests for students. They may charge a fee for the tests, which you will have to pay yourself. Your local Canadian Education Center (CEC) or the admissions staff at the universities, can provide information on English examination tests acceptable to Canadian universities. CEC staff can also advise students on whether they may be exempted from taking an English examination.
On the other hand if you are interested in studying at a French language institution, there are no standardized French language tests that international students are required to pass in order to qualify for a admission. French-Canadian universities, however, will determine the level of a student's French language skills on a case-by-case basis, and may choose to administer their own written tests if language skills are in question.

Depending on your country of origin and the type and length of study, you may be required to hold either a visa, or a student authorization, or both a visa and a student authorization.

Student authorization and visa:
Language studies of under three months do not require a student authorization.
All other programs require a student authorization.
Student authorization forms can be obtained in your country of origin at the Canadian Embassy, High Commission or Canadian Education Center. A person may apply for a student authorization at a Canadian port of entry only if they are a national of the United States, a permanent resident of the United States, a resident of St. Pierre and Miquelon, or a dependent of a person who is in Canada on an employment or student authorization.

Gathering the necessary documents:
It is crucial that students submit ALL documentation requested with their applications. Missing documentation will delay the authorization process. The following documentation must be included in student authorization applications:

- Proof of identity: photocopies of a valid passport or travel document or identity document that guarantees re-entry to the country that issued it; and four recent passport-size photos (2" x 2.5") with the full name and date of birth recorded on the back of each photo. Visa officers may also wish to see the actual passport or travel document and will inform you if this is the case.
- Proof of financial support. This document must show that you will have enough money during your stay in Canada to cover tuition fees, return transportation and $10,000 CDN per annum for living expenses. Documentation can be proof of a Canadian bank account or a bank draft in convertible currency, bank statements for the past four to six months, or proof of payment of tuition and residence fees. (As a guideline, $10,000 CDN plus the tuition fees for the academic year is generally viewed as sufficient.)
- Proof of acceptance by an approved educational institution. The following information must be included in the letter of acceptance: name, date of birth, mailing address of student, the course for which the student has been accepted, the estimated duration or date of completion of the course, the date in which the course begins, the last date on which the student must register for the course, the academic year which the student will be entering, whether the course is full or part-time, the tuition fee, any conditions related to acceptance, clear identification of the educational institution, and licensing information for private institutions. This letter must be signed by an authorized representative of the academic institution.

Visit the Visa Office:
Once you have completed the application forms and have gathered the necessary documentation, proceed to the visa office nearest you and submit the forms and required information along with the appropriate student authorization fee (see below). When reviewing your student authorization application, a visa officer must be satisfied that you meet the requirements of the Canadian Immigration Act and Regulations and that you will only be in Canada temporarily. Once the visa officer is satisfied that you are a "bona fide" student and all statutory requirements are met, you will be issued a document which must be shown to an immigration officer at the port of entry to Canada in order to obtain a student authorization.

Fee for Student Authorization application (fees depend of nationality)
Visitor Visa -- Single Entry : CAN$75
Visitor Visa -- Multiple Entry : CAN$150
Student Authorization : CAN$125
If you are a minor (typically less than 18 years, but this can vary from province to province), proof of custodianship in Canada is required. You must provide a notarized declaration signed by your parent or legal guardian in the country of origin AND a notarized declaration signed by the custodian in Canada, stating that adequate arrangements have been made for the custodian in Canada to act in place of a parent in times of emergency, such as when medical attention or intervention is required.

Working visa:
If you wish to work temporarily in Canada, you will most likely require an employment authorization. Most foreign workers must apply for employment authorization outside Canada. An employment authorization is issued by an immigration officer after the Human Resources Center of Canada (HRCC) approves the job offer. To apply for a working visa your employer must submit details of your job offer to the HRCC. An employment counselor will check to determine if your offer of employment meets the prevailing wages and working conditions for the occupation concerned. They will then check to see if the job cannot be filled by a suitably qualified and available Canadian or permanent resident.
In addition, you may be asked to go to an interview or to send some additional information by mail. You may also be asked to have a medical checkup which you will have to pay for yourself. If all the requested conditions are met, the HRCC will approve your job offer. They will then issue a confirmation of offer of employment which will then be sent to the Canadian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate in your country. The Canadian visa office near you will then contact you upon receipt of your confirmation of offer of employment. The employer will also be provided with a copy of the confirmation of offer of employment, which will ultimately be forwarded to you. If you qualify and have all the necessary documents, you will then receive an employment authorization and possibly have a separate visitor visa placed in your passport.
The employment authorization will state that you can work at a specific job for a specific period of time for a specific employer. You will need to produce the authorization when you arrive in Canada, as well as your passport, visa (if issued) and airline tickets. Your spouse may also be allowed to apply for an employment authorization.

An employment authorization will not be issued to you to come to Canada to look for work. It is valid only for the job description stated on the form.  
Some jobs may be exempt from HRCC approval. To determine whether this is your case check with either the HRCC or a visa office at a Canadian embassy or consulate.

To apply for an employment authorization there is a non-refundable processing fee of US $150. For more information on immigration fees please refer to the brochure or ask an immigration officer for fee information.

Different procedures exist for citizens or permanent residents of the United States. If you are a resident of the United States, Greenland, or St. Pierre and Miquelon, you can apply for an employment authorization when you arrive at a port of entry to Canada. To apply this way, you must produce your confirmation of offer of employment and other papers at the port of entry. Remember that you must find out what papers you will need before arriving to Canada. Check with the Canadian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate General to seek clarification or refer to the appropriate brochure.

If you wish to work in Quebec additional procedures may be required. For further information, contact the Canadian Embassy or the Canada Immigration Center in Canada.
For additional queries about working in Canada, contact the nearest Canadian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate.

Medical obligations:
You will need to contact a visa officer in order to determine whether you will require a medical examination and the appropriate medical forms and instructions will be sent to you. Generally, for less than a six month stay, there are no medical examination obligations for students and tourists. For students staying longer than six months, no medical examination is required unless the applicant has resided or sojourned for six or more consecutive months in a certain country/territory in the one year immediately preceding the date of seeking entry to Canada. For a list of these countries/territories go to: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/dcl-e.html
Note that medical processing will add several weeks to the time necessary to obtain a student authorization.