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|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]]

'''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, 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. For the convenience of the common hitchhiker the provinces and territories are discussed in detail , along with their capitals , in their separate pages.

Canada is a vast country (the second biggest in the world) and many visitors do not really realize its scale or extreme temperatures prior to arrival. Certain northern rural regions are inhabited by few or even no permanent population. It might not always be bright to adventure by yourself into some wild or less inhabited part of the country without the proper equipment nor 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 by the border with the USA. It is normal in some parts of the country to drive a hundred kilometres without any living soul in the area. Nonetheless, even if the country bears 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. The size of the country allowed people to live using their own belief, languages or religion without necessarily being bothered by anybody else, in a 'Live and let live' motto. Therefore, hate crimes are absent and major ''difference'' clash even rarer but may exist or be apparent (commented) during some particular intern political tumult situation usually. It still remains rare. It might be useful for a traveller to be aware of the current events to avoid getting into a political discussion which may offend more than anything else. Sometimes, during such potential situation and with some people, it might not always be helpful to be White in some First Nation reserves, sounding French in some parts of the country or English in others. As many people might think you are from the other part of the country when approaching them and be less keen to help. <!-- this section needs a rewrite --> The rural population should be entirely keen to help if the traveller is making the first steps into breaking the 'stranger in the locality' image, as the split between urban and rural citizen is also existent. The rural community feeling is usually pretty strong and people will believe you belong there and act more altruistic. However, some rural regions have strong influence from urban resident which has the tendency to bring a more individualistic mentalityprovince.

== Telecommunication = Local attitude ===The best and cheapest way is to contact people in Even if 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 usually in good condition bears some similitude with its southern (and reliable so always make sure to have a pre-paid phone-card or a few 'quarters' available. Local calls now costs two 'quarters' (50 centsonly) although for some stupid historical divisions and economical reasonsneighbour, 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. It's often simplest to call using pre-paid calling cards. You can make calls from public phones without using coins when you dail the card's toll-free "1-800" number[[United States of America|United States]], the 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 States and parts of Europe as wellmarkedly unique.

If The majority of the Canadian population lives in harmony within their vast country. The size of the person you are trying country has allowed people to contact is expecting live using their own beliefs, languages or religion without being bothered by anybody else, in a call from you'Live and let live' motto. Therefore, hate crimes are mostly absent and you donmajor ''t have a pre-paid phone card, you can also try to call them difference'collect'clashes even rarer, but may exist. It usually cost less might be useful for a traveler to be aware of the current political situation to avoid getting into a discussion which may offend more than the amount requested by the booth and anything else. Sometimes, during such situations, it is normal practice (does might not apply for mobile phone!) be helpful to receive and accept collect callhitchhike as a white in a First Nation reserve, or sound French in an English area, or visa versa. To do a collect call That said, simply dial '0' Canadians are generally friendly and follow the instructions of the operatorforget their stereotypes once they meet you in person.

Mobile phone are not widely spread within The rural population will usually be keen to help if the traveler is making the country and first steps into breaking the 'stranger in the networks are expensivelocality' image, unreliable, primitive as the split between country- and only cover certain urban areascity-folk is also existent. A mobile phone user The rural community feeling is usually pay to make call pretty strong and when people believe you belong there and to receive callact more altruistic. However, he will also usually some rural regions have no signal when he reaches large populations of urban commuters which has the nearest mountains or hillstendency to bring a more individualistic mentality.

Internet cafés are rare and will only be existing in main urban and touristic centre. They are usually not used by locals, so it It is possible worth noting 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. In most Canadian cities and towns of significant sizeQuebec, there are public libraries which offer free internet access to the general public - regardless of where you are from. This carshare website "AmigoExpress" is generally the best bet for travelers without their own computer or access to a friend'sextremely popular. If there are several people waiting to use them though, you may have to wait Worth checking out if a while bit pressed for one to be available. You'll usually be given time and have a time block bit of anywhere from 15 minutes cash to one hourspare. Many college There are more than 50 rides a day between Quebec and university libraries also provide free internet access to the public. Ask the circulation desk staff for a ''guest account''; but you may need a driver's license or other governmentMontreal at costs of 10-issued photo ID. College and university guest accounts will let you use the Internet as much as you like, but only for the current day15 CAD.

With temperature often dropping beneath −30 Celsius, you should not stand outside more than 15 minutes, wear Canada is a vast country (the appropriate gear and make sure that you are never being stuck anywhere. The majority of second biggest in the roads will be slippery, icy or narrowed by the snowbank. So it will often be impossible for cars to stop by world) and pull over safely and they won't many visitors 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 not realize its size or extremes in needs by the hazard of temperature and nature. The reaction towards that will often differ, going from immediate support prior to a 'where have you left your brainarrival... being out Certain northern rural regions are inhabited by this weather'. It is true that few or even no permanent population, so it will might not always be perceived as quite stupid and irresponsible bright to have dared outside adventure by yourself into some wild or less inhabited part of the country without all the effective preparation by proper equipment or having registered yourself to some local authorities prior to such weathera journey. As a simple reminder, locals way prefer to enjoy the cosiness density of their home by such extreme temperaturepopulation is about 3. Although 2 habitants/km², and for about 75 % of 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 population lives 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 of naturesouth, you are allowed to do anything possible to get help nestled by the surroundingUS border. Which would include entering a house, 'stopping' a car or denouncing to the authorities any refusal for help. This does not mean ''abuse'' and, It is to be use logically and tactfully. Bear normal 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 some parts of the consequences! Which situation you are, by law, not allowed country to find yourself into!drive a hundred kilometres without any living soul.

== Border Crossing ==Canada has only one neighbourWith 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 [[United States]], appropriate gear and even if this border is known as the longest unprotected border in the world, entering the country as a backpacker, hiker or hitchhiker might take precautions to never be a hard, especially since 2001. The border control is quite tight, especially since the unproven allegation that some terrorists came from Canada. Questions might be asked about the relations between passengers in a carstuck anywhere outside without shelter.

Because of these strong security measuresIn winter the roads can be icy or narrowed by the snowbank, a hitchhiker probably so it will have often be hard for cars to cross the border stop by foot and start again once the control is donepull over safely. 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 s/he is fine with Drivers won't do it if they don't feel safe as the hassle (or fine waiting for you if you are being interrogated). The vast majority risk of the drivers will causing an accident might 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 confidenthigh, do not lie and simply answer the questions as asked without being witty or vaguedriver would have to bear entire responsibility of it towards their [[insurance]]. Just remember that you do not have It's even more important in icy conditions to tell that make sure you are bumming around and bring some suspicious travelling plan (yes, hiking and find a hitching around in a ''blown by the wind way'' spot where there is a suspicious thing! Especially for the the average citizen!). So just be reliable, show enthusiasm good visibility and that your adventure is part of a life plan holiday... not a way safe place to escape realitypull over.

It In some areas, especially in the northern territories, every citizen is custom bound by law to be asked provide help and safety to prove that you have every citizen in need from the means to sustain your holiday (money) hazards of temperature and that your holiday is part of a plan (a return ticket)nature. Also bear in mind The reaction towards that most Canadian and American land crossing control are separated will often differ, going from each other by immediate support to a no man's land short distance between the two borders in which where have you will only left your brain!?!? being out by this weather!'. Your actions may be controlled by perceived as quite stupid and irresponsible to have dared outside without being prepared for the weather, as most locals prefer to enjoy the welcoming countrycosiness of their home in winter storms. So if For that reason, shops, restaurants, or gas stations usually won't kick you get denied entrance by oneoff their property in extreme weather. In the summer it's different, and you will have further enquiry may be asked to enter back into leave if there is no danger from the country you came fromoutside elements.

===== While Crossing the Border ===Experiences ==Don't panic! Just because a border guard treats you like a scumbag doesn't mean you are oneI 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. The cost of food makes travel here very expensive. Armed with this attitude try Border crossing as an American citizen is incredibly frustrating! It usually takes four to six hours of intense interrogation of myself and maintain your dignity violation of the privacy of other people in my life. The first time I was held and self-confidence throughout the encounter interrogated for over six hours and the guard will more likely respect you (even if he or she doesneventually turned away because I couldn't show it). Trust provide documentation proving that I had a reason to return to the states; they wanted meto 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 been easier, things will go more smoothlyheh. If youYou may have to get creative, but 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 itgive up! This is a beautiful country!'' [[User:Thewindandrain|Thewindandrain]] ([[User talk:Thewindandrain|talk]]) 00:45, either. Remember, there's no shame in hitching.5 June 2013 (CEST)

==Nomadwiki & Trashwiki = Passports for U.S. and Canadian citizens ===From Summer 2009 on, U.S. and Canadian citizens are required to show a passport to cross the border. Also, 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). ''Every border crossing point will usually be discussed in greater details in the appropriate province page.''