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{{Infobox Country|country = Canada|map = <map lat='60.673178565817715' lng='-97.03125' zoom='2' view='0' float='right' country='Canada'/>|language = English, French|capital = [[Ottawa]]|pop = 34,001,000 (2009 est.)|currency = Canadian Dollar ($CAD)|hitch = <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, have a look at see the bottom of the page.'''

'''Canada''' is the northernmost country of [[North America]] and is composed comprised of ten provinces and three territories. English and French are the two official languages of the country. English, English being spoken by 23/3 4 of the population , is the majority language in most provinces while . 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. So for For the convenience of the common hitchhiker these the provinces and territories are discussed in detail , along with their capitals , in the following separate pages.__NOTOC__Canada is a wide country where many visitors do not really realise its scale prior to their arrival and neither realise the various extreme temperature that can suddenly happen and hit at different season. Certain nothern rural regions in each provinces 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 of the country without the proper equipement nor having registered yourself to some local authorities prior to do such 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 by the border with the USA. It is common and normal in some part of the country to drive few hundreds km without any living soul in the area. Noneless to say, even if the country bear some similitude with its southern and only neighbour, the [[United States]], the cultural and life approach of the population is quite unique.

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 comprehensive. === Local Attitude === The vast majority of the population lives in harmony within their vast country, this has been enabled by the size of the country which allowed people to live using their own belief, languages or religion without necesserily being bothered by anybody else in a 'Live and let live' motto. Therefore, hate crime are absent and major ''difference'' clash more rare but especially existing during some specific peak situation usually caused by an intern political tumult. It might be useful for a traveller to know if there is an important referendum or political crisis going on, deciding on the future of the country as your accent might 'tag' you to one or another of the country's nation and therefore become a ball and chain. For example, it might not always be of good help to be White in some First Nation reserves, sounding French in some parts of the country or English in others during a National Referendum or Election time. As many people might think you are from the other part of the country when approaching them and be less keen to helpprovince.

Just like it's === Local attitude ===Even if the country bears some similitude with its southern (and only) 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 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/License_plates_of_Canada Car licenses] tagged as such. == Telecommunication == The best and cheapest way is to contact people in the area you are is to find the nearest phone booth, there are usually plenty within in 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 cultural 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 to be a local call will in fact be a 'long distance call' and will request an higher amount. If the person you are trying to contact is expecting a call from you, it would be worth to contact them 'collect'. It usually cost less 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 a collect call, simply dial '0' and follow the instructions of the operator. Mobile phone are not widely spread within the country and the networks are expensive, unreliable, primitive and only cover certain urban areas. A mobile phone user usually pay to make call and to receive call, he will also usually have no signal when he reaches the nearest mountains or hills. Internet cafés are rare and will only be existing in main urban and touristic centre. They are usually not used by locals, so it is possible that nobody knows if there is one in the surrounding. In rural areas, Internet might not even exists or be limited to dial-up only. Colleges and Universities are usually providing huge computer classes for their students but those are only accessible with username and password, it might be worth to ask though people might be keen enough to help you with it. == Winter Hitch-hiking == BE CAREFUL! With temperature often dropping beneath -30 Celsius, you should not stand outside more than 15 minutes, wear the appropriate gear and make sure that you are never being stuck anywhere. The majority of the roads will be slippery, icy or narrowed by the snowbank. So it will often be impossible for cars to stop by and pull over safely and they won't do it if they can't as the risk of causing an accident might be too high and the driver would have to bear entire responsibility of it towards his insurance. On another hand, every citizen should be bound by law to provide help and safety to every citizen in needs by the hazard 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'. It is true that it will be perceived as quite stupid and irresponsible to have dared outside without all the effective preparation by such weather, locals way prefer to enjoy the cosiness of their home by such extreme temperature. Although and for that reason, no shops, restaurants or gas stations would be allowed to kick you out of their property. Either no car should be allowed to ignore you if the needs is there. This would usually be the case in rural areas while people in urban areas might simply think, someone else can do it. If you feel your life threatened by the hazard outlook of nature, you are allowed to do anything possible to get help by the surrounding. Which would include entering a house, 'stopping' a car or denouncing to the authorities any refusal for help. This does not mean ''abuse'' and, population is to be use logically and tactfullymarkedly unique. Bear in mind that if you attempt such behaviour, an investigation might be done afterwhile to verify if you didn't put yourself at risk at your own will and full knowledge of the consequences! Which situation you are, by law, not allowed to find yourself into!

Canada has only one neighbour, The rural population will usually be keen to help if the [[United States]], and even if this border traveler is known as making the first steps into breaking the longest unprotected border 'stranger in the worldlocality' image, entering as the split between country as a backpacker, hiker or hitch-hiker might reveal to be a hard thing, especially since 2001and city-folk is also existent. The border control rural community feeling is now usually pretty strong and when people believe you belong there and act more thightenaltruistic. However, especially since some rural regions have large populations of urban commuters which has the non-proven allegation that some terrorists came from Canada, and several questions are asked according tendency to the relations between the passengers in bring a carmore individualistic mentality.

Because of these strong security measuresIt is worth noting that in Quebec, a hitch-hiker probably will have to cross the border by foot and start again once the control carshare website "AmigoExpress" is doneextremely popular. 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 Worth checking out 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 bit pressed for time and simply answer the question as asked without being witty or vague. Just remember that you do not have a bit of cash to tell that you spare. There are bumming around and bring some suspicious travelling plan (yes, hiking and hitching around in a ''blown by the wind way'' is more than 50 rides a suspicious thing! Especially for the the average citizen!). So just be reliable, show enthousiasm day between Quebec and that your adventure is part Montreal at costs of a life plan holiday... not a way to escape reality10-15 CAD.

===== While Crossing Canada is a vast country (the Border =====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.

Don't panic! Just because a border guard treats With temperature often dropping beneath −30 Celsius, you like a scumbag doesn't mean you are oneshould not stand outside more than 15 minutes. 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 doesnIt't show it). Trust me, things will go more smoothly. If s VERY important to make sure you're passing the border inside a car, don't volunteer wear the fact that you are a hitchhiker. But if it becomes obvious, don't try appropriate gear and deny it, either. Remember, there's no shame in hitchingtake precautions to never be stuck anywhere outside without shelter.

=== Passports In winter the roads can be icy or narrowed by the snowbank, so it will often be hard for Ucars to stop by and pull over safely.SDrivers won't do it if they don't feel safe as the risk of causing an accident might be too high, and the driver would have to bear entire responsibility of it towards their [[insurance]]. It's even more important in icy conditions to make sure you find a hitching spot where there is good visibility and Canadian citizens ===a safe place to pull over.

UIn 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.S. and Canadian citizens are NOT required The reaction towards that will often differ, going from immediate support to show a passport. At least not yet. That doesn't mean a border guard wonwhere have you left your brain!?!? being out by this weather!'t ask . Your actions may be perceived as quite stupid and irresponsible to see onehave dared outside without being prepared for the weather, thoughas most locals prefer to enjoy the cosiness of their home in winter storms. ButFor that reason, shops, restaurants, a border guard is not supposed to deny you just because you donor gas stations usually won't have a passportkick you off their property in extreme weather. Until January of 2008In the summer it's different, border guards are supposed to continue accepting "oral declarations of citizenship" which basically means, "and you have may be asked to believe me because I told you soleave if there is no danger from the outside elements."

If you are a U== Experiences ==''I have hitchhiked many thousands of miles through most of the provinces. Getting rides is usually slightly easier than the [[United States]], but harder in some places.SThe cost of food makes travel here very expensive. Border crossing as an American citizen going into Canada or a Canadian going into is incredibly frustrating! It usually takes four to six hours of intense interrogation of myself and violation of the U.Sprivacy of other people in my life., a guard can deny you entry The first time I was held and interrogated for a number of reasons (usually over six hours and eventually turned away because of a criminal record or you donI couldn't look like you provide documentation proving that I had a reason to return to the states; they 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 subsequent attempts to enter have enough money for lunch at a fast-food restaurant)been easier, heh. But donYou may have to get creative, but where there't think that just s a will, there'cause you dons a way. Don't own give up! This is a passport you canbeautiful country!''t cross. You can.[[User:Thewindandrain|Thewindandrain]] ([[User talk:Thewindandrain|talk]]) 00:45, 5 June 2013 (CEST)

[[Categoryde:Canada|*Kanada]][[Categoryes:North AmericaCanadá]][[Categoryfr:AmericasCanada]]