Canada was home to Aboriginal peoples for thousands of years before Europeans made contact. The first European settlement, located at L'Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland was created by the Vikings around 1,000.

British explorer John Cabot claimed what is now known as Canada in the name of King Henry VII of England in 1497, but it was the French, led by Jacques Cartier who explored further inland via the St.Lawrence River and created the first mainland colony, which he called New France.

After the Seven Years' War ended in 1763, France ceded most of its North American territory territory to England and Canada came under British rule.

Canada is the second largest country in the world, surpassed only by Russia and is home to approximately 33 million people. A member of the Commonwealth of Nations, Canada is rich in natural resources, with logging and oil being it's top two industries. Approximately three quarters of Canada's population lives within 90 miles of the Canadian and United States borders.

• The Toque: Canadian Jokes

• Blog Critics: Satire: Canada to Buy Kayak Fleet

• BIGfib.com: Canada looks to "rock and roll" phase of re-branding operation

• • This page was created by Mary, a Part Time Guide in the Mahalo Greenhouse (see the original), and curated by Susan.

• If you'd like to help us create the best spam free search results on the Internet, apply to be a Part Time Guide!</em>