Changes

{{Infobox Country|country = Canada|map = <map lat='60.673178565817715'lng='-97.03125'Canadazoom='2' view='0'float='right' is the northernmost country of ='Canada'/>|language = English, French|capital = [[North AmericaOttawa]] and is composed of ten provinces and three territories|pop = 34,001,000 (2009 est. English and French are the two official languages of the )|currency = Canadian Dollar ($CAD)|hitch = <rating country, English being spoken by 2='ca' /3 of the population is the majority language in most provinces while French is the main official language in the province of Quebec but widely spoken in New Brunswick and some areas of Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia>|BW = CA|neighbour = ([[Greenland]]), [[Saint-Pierre and Manitoba. Inuktitut is the main language in Nunavut Miquelon|Saint Pierre and has official status there but English is widely spoken. So for the convenience Miquelon]] (''incorporated''), [[United States of the common hitchhiker these America]]}}'''For specific information about provinces and territories are discussed in detail along with their capitals in , see the bottom of the following pagespage.'''

'''Canada ''' is a wide the northernmost country where many visitors do not really realise its scale prior to their arrival of [[North America]] and neither realise the various extreme temperature that can suddenly happen is comprised of ten provinces and hit at different seasonthree territories. Certain nothern rural regions in each provinces English and French are inhabited by a scarce or even absent permanent population. It might not always be bright to adventure yourself into some wild or less inhabited part the two official languages of the country without the proper equipement nor having registered yourself to some local authorities prior to do such journey. As a simple reminderEnglish, the density of population is about being spoken by 3,2 habitants/km² and about 75% 4 of that the population lives , is the majority language in the south by the border with the USAmost provinces. It French is common and normal in some part of the country to drive few hundreds km without any living soul main official language in the area. Noneless to sayprovince of Quebec, even if the country bear but also widely spoken in New Brunswick and some similitude with its southern and only neighbourareas of Ontario, Prince Edward Island, the [[United States]]Nova Scotia, and Manitoba. Inuktitut is the cultural main language in Nunavut and life approach has official status there but English is still widely spoken. For the convenience of the population is quite uniquecommon hitchhiker the provinces and territories are discussed in detail, along with their capitals, in separate pages.

For a journey over across the country, the [[Transcanadian Trans-Canada Highway]] is the main road crossing the country coast east to coastwest. The However, the highway system numbering system is specific to every provinces and usually quite comprehensiveprovince.

=== Local Attitude attitude ===Even if the country bears some similitude with its southern (and only) neighbour, the [[United States of America|United States]], the cultural and life outlook of the population is markedly unique.

The vast majority of the Canadian population lives in harmony within their vast country, this has been enabled by the . The size of the country which has allowed people to live using their own beliefbeliefs, languages or religion without necesserily being bothered by anybody else , in a 'Live and let live' motto. Therefore, hate crime crimes are mostly absent and major ''difference'' clash more rare clashes even rarer, but especially existing during some specific peak situation usually caused by an intern political tumultmay exist. It might be useful for a traveller traveler to know if there is an important referendum or political crisis going on, deciding on the future be aware of the country as your accent might 'tag' you current political situation to one or another of the country's nation and therefore become avoid getting into a ball and chaindiscussion which may offend more than anything else. For example Sometimes, during such situations, it might not always be of good help helpful to be White hitchhike as a white in some a First Nation reservesreserve, sounding or sound French in some parts of the country or an English in others during a National Referendum area, or Election timevisa versa. As many people might think you That said, Canadians are from the other part of the country when aboarding them generally friendly and be less keen to helpforget their stereotypes once they meet you in person.

The best and cheapest way It is to contact people worth noting that in Quebec, the area you are carshare website "AmigoExpress" is to find the nearest phone booth, there are usually plenty within in extremely popular. Worth checking out if a city and even the in country side, usually you will find one by every petrol station, shops or restaurant. Unlike many countries, they are always in good condition bit pressed for time and reliable so always make sure to have a few 'quarter' available. Local calls now costs two 'quarter' (50 cents) although for some stupid historical divisions and economical reasons, in some areas some phone booths will belong to another company and what seems bit of cash to be a local call will in fact be a 'long distance call' and will request an higher amountspare. If the person you There are trying to contact is expecting a call from you, it would be worth to contact them 'collect'. It usually cost less more than the amount requested by the booth and it is normal practice (does not apply for mobile phone!) to receive and accept collect call. To do 50 rides a collect call, simply dial '0' day between Quebec and follow the instructions Montreal at costs of the operator10-15 CAD.

Internet cafés are rare Canada is a vast country (the second biggest in the world) and will only be existing many visitors do not realize its size or extremes in main urban and touristic centretemperature prior to arrival. They Certain northern rural regions are usually not used inhabited by localsfew or even no permanent population, so it is possible that nobody knows if there is one in the surrounding. In rural areas, Internet might not even exists always be bright to adventure by yourself into some wild or less inhabited part of the country without the proper equipment or be limited having registered yourself to some local authorities prior to dial-up onlysuch a journey. As a simple reminder, the density of population is about 3. Colleges 2 habitants/km², and Universities are usually providing huge computer classes for their students but those are only accessible with username and passwordabout 75 % of that population lives in the south, it might be worth to ask though people might be keen enough nestled by the US border. It is normal in some parts of the country to help you with itdrive a hundred kilometres without any living soul.

With In some areas, especially in the northern territories, every citizen is bound by law to provide help and safety to every citizen in need from the hazards of temperature and nature. The reaction towards that will often dropping beneath -30 Celsiusdiffer, going from immediate support to a 'where have you should not stand left your brain!?!? being out by this weather!'. Your actions may be perceived as quite stupid and irresponsible to have dared outside more than 15 minuteswithout being prepared for the weather, as most locals prefer to enjoy the cosiness of their home in winter storms. For that reason, shops, wear restaurants, or gas stations usually won't kick you off their property in extreme weather. In the appropriate gear summer it's different, and make sure that you are never being stuck anywheremay be asked to leave if there is no danger from the outside elements.

The majority == Personal Experiences ==''I have hitchhiked many thousands of miles through most of the roads will be slipperyprovinces. Getting rides is usually slightly easier than the [[United States]], icy or narrowed by but harder in some places. The cost of food makes travel here very expensive. Border crossing as an American citizen is incredibly frustrating! It usually takes four to six hours of intense interrogation of myself and violation of the snowbankprivacy of other people in my life. So it will often be impossible The first time I was held and interrogated for cars to stop by and pull over safely six hours and they woneventually turned away because I couldn't do it if provide documentation proving that I had a reason to return to the states; they can't as the risk of causing an accident might too high wanted me to buy a return bus ticket to prove I was only staying a short while, sorry, not happening! Well I got a little crafty with their requirements and the driver would subsequent attempts to enter have been easier, heh. You may have to bear entire responsability of it towards his insuranceget creative, but where there's a will, there's a way.Don't give up! This is a beautiful country!'' [[User:Thewindandrain|Thewindandrain]] ([[User talk:Thewindandrain|talk]]) 00:45, 5 June 2013 (CEST)

== Border Crossing == Canada has only one neighbour, the [[United States]], and even if this border is known as the longest unprotected border in the world, entering the country as a backpacker, hiker or hitch-hiker might reveal to be a hard thing, especially since 2001. The border control is now more thighten, especially since the non-proven allegation that some terrorists came from Canada, and several questions are asked according to the relations between the passengers in a car. Because of these strong security measures, a hitch-hiker probably will have to cross the border by foot and start again once the control is done. You might also discuss with your driver beforehand in the matter to get to know each other and to ensure that everything will be alright with the crossing and that he is fine with the hassle (or fine waiting for you if you are being interogated aside). The vast majority of the drivers will most likely be frisky at helping a stranger to cross from Canada to the States in their car. The best way to be at a border control is too remain calm, be confident, do not lie and simply answer the question as asked without being witty or vague. Just remember that you do not have to tell that you are bumming around and bring some suspicious travelling plan (yes, hiking and hitching around in a ''blown by the wind way'' is a suspicious thing! Especially for the the average citizen!). So just be reliable, show enthousiasm and that your adventure is part of a life plan holiday... not a way to escape reality. It is custom to be ask to prove that you have the means to sustain your holiday (money) and that your holiday is part of a plan (a return ticket).  ===== While Crossing the Border ===== Don't panic! Just because a border guard treats you like a scumbag doesn't mean you are one. Armed with this attitude try and maintain your dignity and self-confidence throughout the encounter and the guard will more likely respect you (even if he or she doesn't show it). Trust me, things will go more smoothly. If you're passing the border inside a car, don't volunteer the fact that you are a hitchhiker. But if it becomes obvious, don't try and deny it, either. Remember, there's no shame in hitching. === Passports for U.S. and Canadian citizens === U.S. and Canadian citizens are NOT required to show a passport. At least not yet. That doesn't mean a border guard won't ask to see one, though. But, a border guard is not supposed to deny you just because you don't have a passport. Until January of 2008, border guards are supposed to continue accepting "oral declarations of citizenship" which basically means, "you have to believe me because I told you so." If you are a U.S. citizen going into Canada or a Canadian going into the U.S., a guard can deny you entry for a number of reasons (usually because of a criminal record or you don't look like you have enough money for lunch at a fast-food restaurant). But don't think that just 'cause you don't own a passport you can't cross. You can.  ''Every border crossing point will usually be discussed in greater details in the appropriate province page.'' ''(see: [[Quebec]], [[Ontario]], [[Manitoba]], [[New Brunswick]], [[Saskatchewan]], [[Alberta]], [[British Columbia]], [[Yukon]] for the appropriate crossing)''  {| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2"|-|[[Newfoundland and Labrador]]||[[St. John's]]|-|[[Nova Scotia]]||[[Halifax]]|-|[[New Brunswick]]||[[Fredericton]]|-|[[Quebec]]||[[Quebec city]]||[[Montreal]]|-|[[Ontario]]||[[Toronto]]||[[Ottawa]]|-|[[Manitoba]]||[[Winnipeg]]|-|[[Saskatchewan]]||[[Regina]]||[[Saskatoon]]|-|[[Alberta]]||[[Edmonton]]||[[Calgary]]|-|[[British Columbia]]||[[Victoria (Canada)|Victoria]]||[[Vancouver]]|-|[[Yukon]]||[[Whitehorse]]|-|[[Northwest Territories]]||[[Yellowknife]]|-|[[Nunavut]]||[[Iqaluit]]|}[[Categoryde:North AmericaKanada]][[Categoryes:AmericasCanadá]][[Categoryfr:Canada]]