Cheat sheet

Canada: Geography, Economy and Justice

The provinces and territories, natural resources, the economy, and the Canadian justice system.

The facts to remember, in one place. Drill them with mock exams and spaced repetition in Canadian Citizenship Test 2026.

Provinces, territories and their capitals

◆ Ten provinces: Ontario (Toronto), Quebec (Quebec City), British Columbia (Victoria), Alberta (Edmonton), Manitoba (Winnipeg), Saskatchewan (Regina), Nova Scotia (Halifax), New Brunswick (Fredericton), Newfoundland and Labrador (St. John's), Prince Edward Island (Charlottetown).
◆ Three territories: Northwest Territories (Yellowknife), Nunavut (Iqaluit), Yukon (Whitehorse).
◆ Canada is the second-largest country in the world by total area.
◆ The five regions are: the Atlantic provinces, Central Canada, the Prairie provinces, the West Coast, and the North.
◆ Canada's two official languages are English and French.

◆ The rule of law means everyone, including governments, is subject to the law.
◆ Anyone charged with an offence is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
◆ The Supreme Court of Canada is the highest court in the country.
◆ The police keep people safe and enforce the law; you can question them about their service.
◆ Canada's laws come from English common law, French civil law (in Quebec), and the Constitution.

◆ Canada has a long history as a trading nation, with the United States as its largest trading partner.
◆ Natural resources such as oil, gas, minerals, timber, and fisheries are central to the economy.
◆ The three main types of industry are service, manufacturing, and natural resources.
◆ Most Canadians work in service industries, such as health care, retail, and education.
◆ Canada is a member of major international trade and economic organisations.

◆ The three territories are the Northwest Territories (Yellowknife), Nunavut (Iqaluit), and Yukon (Whitehorse).
◆ Nunavut was created in 1999 and means "our land" in the Inuktitut language.
◆ Much of the North lies within the Arctic and has long, cold winters.
◆ The Inuit are the largest Aboriginal group living in the Arctic.
◆ The North is rich in natural resources such as minerals, oil, and gas.

◆ The four Atlantic provinces are Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
◆ Their capitals are Halifax, Fredericton, Charlottetown, and St. John's.
◆ Charlottetown hosted the 1864 conference that led to Confederation.
◆ Fishing has long been central to the Atlantic economy.
◆ Newfoundland and Labrador joined Confederation in 1949, the last province to do so.

◆ Central Canada is made up of Ontario (capital Toronto) and Quebec (capital Quebec City).
◆ More than half of Canadians live in Central Canada.
◆ Ottawa, the national capital, is located in Ontario.
◆ Quebec is the largest province by area and the centre of French-speaking Canada.
◆ Central Canada produces a large share of Canada's manufactured goods.

◆ The Prairie provinces are Manitoba (Winnipeg), Saskatchewan (Regina), and Alberta (Edmonton).
◆ The Prairies are rich in farmland, growing much of Canada's grain.
◆ Alberta has large oil and gas reserves, including the oil sands.
◆ The region was historically home to the Métis and First Nations peoples.
◆ The Prairies are part of the larger Western Canada region.

◆ The Great Lakes lie along the border between Canada and the United States.
◆ The St. Lawrence River is the principal route into the interior of the continent.
◆ The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region is home to much of Canada's population and industry.
◆ Canada has more lakes and inland waters than any other country.
◆ These waterways have long supported trade, fishing, and transportation.