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Canada
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|pop = 34,001,000 (2009 est.)
|currency = Canadian Dollar ($CAD)
|hitch = {{good}} to {{very good}}<rating country='ca' />|BW = CA|neighbour = ([[Greenland]]), [[Saint-Pierre and Miquelon|Saint Pierre and Miquelon]] (''incorporated''), [[United States of America]]
}}
'''For specific information about provinces and territories, see the bottom of the page.'''
'''Canada''' is the northernmost country of [[North America]] and is comprised of ten provinces and three territories. English and French are the two official languages of the country. English, being spoken by 3/4 of the population, is the majority language in most provinces. French is the main official language in the province of Quebec, but also widely spoken in New Brunswick and some areas of Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Manitoba. Inuktitut is the main language in Nunavut and has official status there but English is still widely spoken. For the convenience of the common hitchhiker the provinces and territories are discussed in detail, along with their capitals, in separate pages.
For a journey across the country, the [[Trans-Canada Highway]] is the main road crossing the country east to west. However, the highway system numbering system is specific to every province.
=== Car Number Plate ===
Just like its southern neighbour, the [[United States of America|United States]], every provinces are issuing their own specific car plates. For example, a car from Manitoba will have a specific [[wikipedia:License plates of Canada|Car licenses]] tagged as such.
== Telecommunication = Local attitude ===The best and cheapest way is to contact people in the area you are is to find the nearest phone booth. There are plenty within the cities and even Even if the in country side; usually you will find one by every petrol station, or by shops or restaurants. Unlike many countries, they are usually in good condition, so always make sure to have a pre-paid phone-card or a few 'quarters' available. Local calls cost two quarters bears some similitude with its southern (50 centsand only)neighbour, but in some areas what seems to be a local call will in fact be a 'long distance call' and the phone will request an higher amount. It's simplest to call using pre-paid calling cards. You can make calls from public phones without using coins when you dial [[United States of America|United States]], the card's toll-free "1-800" number, cultural and, for many life outlook of these cards, there is no extra fee for making the call from a public phone. Credit population is deducted from the card at the same rate as with calls from land-lines. Most cards will cost somewhere between 2 and 10 cents per minute for calls to anywhere in Canada. The same, or similar, rates will often apply to calls to the United States and parts of Europe as wellmarkedly unique.
== [[Winter]] hitchhiking ==
'''Be careful!'''
Canada is a vast country (the second biggest in the world) and many visitors do not realize its size or extremes in temperature prior to arrival. Certain northern rural regions are inhabited by few or even no permanent population, so it might not always be bright to adventure by yourself into some wild or less inhabited part of the country without the proper equipment or having registered yourself to some local authorities prior to such a journey. As a simple reminder, the density of population is about 3.2 habitants/km², and about 75 % of that population lives in the south, nestled by the US border. It is normal in some parts of the country to drive a hundred kilometres without any living soul.
With temperature often dropping beneath −30 Celsius, you should not stand outside more than 15 minutes. It's VERY important to make sure you wear the appropriate gear and take precautions to never be stuck anywhere outside without shelter.
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 differ, going from immediate support to a 'where have you left your brain!?!? being out by this weather!'. Your actions may be perceived as quite stupid and irresponsible to have dared outside without being prepared for the weather, as most locals prefer to enjoy the cosiness of their home in winter storms. For that reason, shops, restaurants, or gas stations usually won't kick you off their property in extreme weather. In the summer it's different, and you may be asked to leave if there is no danger from the outside elements.
== Border Crossing Personal Experiences ==Canada has only one neighbour, ''I have hitchhiked many thousands of miles through most of the provinces. Getting rides is usually slightly easier than the [[United States]], and even if this border is known as the longest unprotected border but harder in the world, entering the country as a backpacker, hiker or hitchhiker might be a hard, especially since 2001some places. The border control is quite tight, especially since the unproven allegation that some terrorists came from Canadacost of food makes travel here very expensive. Questions might be asked about the relations between passengers in a car. Because of these strong security measures, a hitchhiker probably will have to cross the border by foot and start again once the control Border crossing as an American citizen is done. You might also discuss with your driver beforehand in the matter incredibly frustrating! It usually takes four to get to know each other six hours of intense interrogation of myself and to ensure that everything will be alright with the crossing and that s/he is fine with violation of the hassle (or fine waiting for you if you are being interrogated). The vast majority privacy of the drivers will be frisky at helping a stranger to cross from Canada to the States other people in their carmy life. The best way to be at a border control is too remain calm, be confident, do not lie first time I was held and simply answer the questions as asked without being witty or vague. Just remember that you do not have to tell that you are bumming around interrogated for over six hours and bring some suspicious travelling plan (yes, hiking and hitching around in a eventually turned away because I couldn''blown by the wind way'' is a suspicious thing! Especially for the the average citizen!). So just be reliable, show enthusiasm and t provide documentation proving that your adventure is part of a life plan holiday... not I had a way reason to escape reality. It is custom return to be asked to prove that you have the means states; they wanted me to sustain your holiday (money) and that your holiday is part of a plan (buy a return bus ticket). Also bear in mind that most Canadian and American land crossing control are separated from each other by to prove I was only staying a no man's land short distance between the two borders in which you will only be controlled by the welcoming country. So if you get denied entrance by onewhile, sorry, you will have further enquiry to enter back into the country you came from. ===== While Crossing the Border =====Don't panicnot happening! Just because a border guard treats you like Well I got a scumbag doesn't mean you are one. Armed little crafty with this attitude try their requirements 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)subsequent attempts to enter have been easier, heh. Trust meYou may have to get creative, things will go more smoothly. If youbut where there're passing the border inside s a carwill, donthere't advertise the fact that you are s a hitchhikerway. But if it becomes obvious, donDon't try and deny it, either. Remember, theregive up! This is a beautiful country!''s no shame in hitching. === Passports for U.S. and Canadian citizens ===From Summer 2009 on[[User:Thewindandrain|Thewindandrain]] ([[User talk:Thewindandrain|talk]]) 00:45, U.S. and Canadian citizens are required to show a passport to cross the border.5 June 2013 (CEST)
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{{Provinces Canada}}
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[[Category:Canada| ]]