1 Canada has a nominal GDP of $1.844 trillion, making it the 11th highest GDP in the world. Its nominal per capita GDP is $52,364 which is the 10th highest in the world.

2 Canada operates under a mixed economy, and thrives due to its abundance of natural resources and trading networks. The country trades extensively with the United States, and has established numerous international trading routes to boost its economy.

3 Canada's government is a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy. Queen Elizabeth II is their head of state.

4 The country has continuously ranked high internationally in education, civil liberties, economic freedom and standard of living.

5 Canada is also a recognized middle power and is a part of numerous international organizations such as the United Nations, Commonwealth of Nations and NATO.

6 Canadians are a huge consumer of macaroni and cheese. They eat more of the pasta than any other nation.

7 Canadian mail doesn’t run on Saturdays, and hasn’t for over 35 years.

8 Canada has the second largest oil reserve in the world, directly behind Saudi Arabia.

9 Montreal, Canada was founded by a group of religious mystics from France. They had a vision to build a religious city in the wilderness of Canada and moved to Montreal to start the establishment.

10 Lacrosse is the official sport of Canada, yet ice hockey is the most played sport.

11 The country is home to over 3000 lakes.

12 Canada is officially bilingual due to both English and French have equal status. This is due to the French establishing a settlement in Quebec many centuries ago. Since they settled, the language has never changed. However, the rest of Canada speaks English.

13 During the Christmas season, families dress up in old clothes and go from home to house and sing carols. They call this tradition mummering.

14 Winterlude is an annual festival held in Ottawa, where Canadians celebrate the freezing temperatures and snow by throwing a winter themed party. The festival includes ice skating, ice sculptures, snow playgrounds and outdoor concerts.

15 Canada Day is a huge celebration in the country as well. On July 1st Canadians set off fireworks, drink beer and wear festive red and white clothing.

16 Quebec Winter Carnival is held in Quebec City each year. It is a festival that is put on the week before Lent begins in order to party for one last time before the Easter Holiday season begins. Attendants drink, eat and party together.

17 Basketball was invented by a Canadian whose name was Dr. James Naismith. He invented the game with a group of college students in Boston.

18 Nearly 22% of Canada's population is immigrants.

19 Canada is home to the Trans-Canada highway which is over 7604 kilometers long. It is the longest highway in the world.

20 Canada has the highest quality of life in the world, and is considered to be a great place to raise a family.

21 Montreal, Canada has more churches in the city than they have houses, and is often called the city of churches.

22 The country has one of the lowest population densities in the world, even though it is the second largest country.

23 77% of the maple syrup in the world is made in Quebec, Canada.

24 Canadians, just like Americans, celebrate Thanksgiving. However, they do not celebrate in November, but instead celebrate on the second Monday in October.

25 Canada is made up of three provinces and ten territories.

26 Montreal has the second-highest population of French speakers in the world. It falls second only to Paris, France.

27 The Canadian Royal Mint in 2007 created a solid gold coin that is worth $1 million.

28 It is estimated that at least 42% of Canadians have obtained a college degree, and the country is considered the most educated in the world.

29 Despite being larger in area than the United States, Canada has just about 11% of the population of that found in the U.S.

30 The first indoor hockey game took place in Montreal on March 3, 1875.

31 Some notable inventions that came from Canada include the board game Trivial Pursuit, IMAX theaters, and electric wheelchairs.

32 Canada gained independence and became its own country in 1982.

33 Ogopogo is a creature that some have claimed to have spotted in Okanagan Lake. It is Canada's version of the Loch Ness Monster.

34 Contributing to its title as the world's most educated country, the literacy rate in Canada is 99%.

35 Dinosaur Provincial Park is a site where many fossils have been found. Over 500 specimens from over 40 species have been discovered here.

36 Data from Statistics Canada shows that over 20% of the country's population is foreign-born.

37 Canada is home to approximately 60% of the world's polar bear population.

38 Canada has its very own Hollywood. This city, known as Hollywood North, falls just second to Los Angeles in TV production.

39 Canada's red and white flag, featuring a 10-point maple leaf, was first used in 1965 and was designed to replace the Union Jack.

40 Canada has more doughnut shops per capita than any other country in the world.

41 There are 42 national parks and 167 national historic sites located in Canada.

42 Approximately 90% of the country's population lives within 100 miles of the U.S.-Canadian border.

43 Canada's Manitoulin Island holds the title of the largest freshwater island in the world.

44 Newfoundland and Labrador harvest icebergs that float over from Greenland to produce beer, vodka, wine, and beauty products.

45 Canada has four political parties: Conservative Party, Liberal Party, New Democratic, and Bloc Quebecois.

46 Canadians do not vote directly for the prime minister. Instead, they vote for Member of Parliament for the House of Commons. The leader with the most seats in the House of Commons is typically elected as prime minister.

47 John Cabot first reached what is now Canada in 1497.

48 The history of Canada dates back approximately 20,000 years. Signs of life here include tools that were found in caves in the northern Yukon region.

49 In addition to being known for its wine, the country is also known for ice wine. This is created by pressing frozen grapes. This type of beverage is often served with desserts.