What Canada Is Known For Around the World

Canada comes top of many people’s to-visit lists no matter where you go in the world. But, how much do you truly know about the Great White North? What is Canada known for, and why should you make a point to visit?

In this guide, we’ll take you through 15 fascinating facts about Canada to help inspire your next trip abroad (which, naturally, you should do with an eSIM ready to go!).

15 things you didn't know about Canada

Maple leaves, ice hockey, stunning landscapes - there’s probably plenty you already think you know about Canada. Let’s dive into some fascinating facts about the country that might have escaped your attention. What is Canada known for, apart from the obvious?

Stunning natural landscapes and national parks

Natural Canada is an absolute feast for the eyes, with a stunning 37 national parks and 11 additional reserves waiting to be explored. From forests to lakeland and mountain walks, there’s more than 343,000 square kilometres of gorgeous landscape to traverse here.

Friendly and polite people

Canadians are famous (maybe infamous?) for being almost too polite and inoffensive! No matter how chilly it gets out here, you can always be sure of a warm welcome. As always, however, it does still pay to be safe when you’re travelling to new places, so unfortunately, we can’t guarantee all Canadians will be your friend!

Maple syrup production

Believe it or not, Quebec, Canada, is responsible for over 70% of all the maple syrup production worldwide. The country’s national emblem, the maple leaf, is certainly a wise choice - there are 34 million maple trees in Quebec running through syrup production at any given time.

Ice hockey as a national sport

Ice hockey has certainly caught on as an exciting pastime the world over, but Canada really gets into it. In fact, did you know that it was enshrined into law that ice hockey became the national winter sport of Canada? Similarly, lacrosse was named the official summer sport - but most people associate the nation with ice hockey.

Multicultural society

Canada is surprisingly ethnically diverse, with almost 25% of citizens here coming from overseas. Studies show that around 44% of people living in Canada, too, are first or second-generation (the latter being children born to immigrants). The majority of people settling in Canada arrive from Asia and Africa, with many people arriving from India, the Philippines, and China.

High quality of life

Canada has a strong quality of life, with a moderate safety index, positive healthcare markers, and relatively low pollution. One of the main caveats to this is that the cost of living isn’t particularly cheap, but many people are willing to pay the price for breathable air and medical care!

Niagara Falls

The breathtaking Niagara Falls is one of the must-see spots for anyone visiting Canada from overseas, as one of the three tallest waterfalls bordering the USA. What you might not know is that Canada has, while retaining the area’s stunning natural beauty, added tourism elements to welcome visitors, such as places to stay, local wineries, and holiday packages where you can tour the area safely.

And, if you want to take photos or stream your adventures around the falls, you’ll need to make sure you have an eSIM for Canada loaded up and ready to go! That way, you won’t have to worry about overspending on data, and can make sure you’re always connected to the fastest possible coverage as you explore the Great White North.

Vast wilderness and wildlife

As you’ve seen, Canada is replete with stunning natural scenes, and with that, you can certainly expect to spot some exciting wildlife along the way. It’s a nation absolutely rife with fascinating birds and beasts, including wolves, moose, beavers, puffins, and caribou. Did you know that brown, black, and polar bears roam around Canada? Better watch your step!

Universal healthcare system

As mentioned, one of the biggest reasons Canada is so popular with people visiting and settling from overseas is its incredible accessibility to healthcare. Its Medicare system is funded completely by the taxpayer, meaning that once you are a resident here and paying towards the national taxes, you can take advantage of different health plans and get the care you need.

Cold winters and snow

Ok, so you probably already know that Canada has a reputation for being more than a bit on the chilly side. But just how chilly does it get? Well - in winter, around Toronto, you can expect high temperatures to reach 32°F! That’s absolute zero Celsius. That said, many people who settle here choose to live towards the south thanks to the more comfortable temperatures.

Bilingual culture with English and French

Canada, incredibly, has two official languages in English and French, making it a bilingual nation. It supports both languages with signage and support nationwide, and similarly, its infrastructure and political resources are built around sharing information in French and English so there’s an equal balance. It all dates back to English and French colonisers claiming different Canadian regions centuries ago.

Clean and safe cities

Canada’s cities have sterling reputations for being low on pollution and crime, making them immensely desirable for anyone moving from overseas (and plenty of people nationwide, too). In fact, statistics show that crime dipped by 4.1% in 2024, meaning, if anything, Canada is officially getting safer. That said, as always, keep safe and travel in groups if you’re going anywhere new outside of your home country.

Iconic foods like poutine

Canada has an incredible palate and a delicious array of national dishes for you to try. It’s perhaps most famous for poutine, a curious concoction of crispy French fries, meat gravy, and cheese curd. The nation’s also famous for its local bacon, lobster rolls, touton, and rappie pie. Take a look at Travelsphere’s fantastic list of Canadian dishes before you travel to build up an appetite!

Strong education system

As it happens, Canada is a great place to raise children, even more so because it has a sterling reputation for educational success. Is there anything the Canadians can’t do? At least 57% of Canadians reportedly have at least a college credential, and they reportedly have double the number of college credentials compared to citizens across the US.

Peacekeeping and global diplomacy

Above all, Canada is a bastion of peace and diplomacy, and a prominent name on the world stage in the name of supporting organisations such as the UN, dedicated to encouraging open, peaceful discussions between nations. With Canada having such a bold reputation for politeness, is it really any surprise that they are so diplomatic?

Now you know a little more about Canada, you’re well-prepared for a trip out here. However, always remember to load up an eSIM for North America before you travel. The last thing you’ll want to do is get distracted from all the sights and sounds by having to search around for WiFi spots! With the NA eSIM, too, you’ll be able to explore the US and beyond - great for longer trips and tours that take you beyond Canadian borders.

What is Canada known for? More than you might think! Is a Canadian vacation in your sights? We’ve shared plenty of reasons why it should be, so pack warm and give the Great White North a try.