India
Australia
USA
New Zealand
New Zealand (Aotearoa in Māori) is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island) and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some 1,500 kilometres (900 mi) east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly 1,000 kilometres (600 mi) south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga. Due to its remoteness, it was one of the last lands to be settled by humans. During its long isolation New Zealand developed a distinctive fauna dominated by birds, many of which became extinct after the arrival of humans and introduced mammals. With a mild maritime climate, the land was mostly covered in forest. The country’s varied topography and its sharp mountain peaks owe much to the uplift of land and volcanic eruptions caused by the Pacific and Indo-Australian Plates clashing underfoot.
History
Polynesians settled New Zealand in 1250–1300 AD and developed a distinctive Māori culture, and Europeans first made contact in 1642 AD. The introduction of potatoes and muskets triggered upheaval among Māori early during the 19th century, which led to the inter-tribal Musket Wars. In 1840 the British and Māori signed a treaty making New Zealand a colony of the British Empire. Immigrant numbers increased sharply and conflicts escalated into the Land Wars, which resulted in much Māori land being confiscated in the mid North Island. Economic depressions were followed by periods of political reform, with women gaining the vote during the 1890s, and a welfare state being established from the 1930s. After World War II, New Zealand joined Australia and the United States in the ANZUS security treaty, although the United States later suspended the treaty after New Zealand banned nuclear weapons. New Zealanders enjoyed one of the highest standards of living in the world in the 1950s, but the 1970s saw a deep recession, worsened by oil shocks and the United Kingdom’s entry into the European Economic Community. The country underwent major economic changes during the 1980s, which transformed it from a protectionist to a liberalised free-trade economy. Markets for New Zealand’s agricultural exports have diversified greatly since the 1970s, with once-dominant exports of wool being overtaken by dairy products, meat, and recently wine.
PEOPLE
New Zealand has a diverse, multi cultural population of about 4 million people. The majority of New Zealanders are of British descent and the native Maori population makes up around 14 percent of the population. New Zealand also has a large growing population of Pacific Islanders and Asians.About 15% claim descent from the indigenous Maori population, which is of Polynesian origin. Nearly 76% of the people, including a large majority of Maori, live on the North Island. In addition, 265,974 Pacific peoples live in New Zealand. During the late 1870s, natural increase permanently replaced immigration as the chief contributor to population growth and accounted for more than 75% of population growth in the 20th century. Nearly 85% of New Zealand's population lives in urban areas (with almost one-third in Auckland alone), where the service and manufacturing industries are growing rapidly. New Zealanders colloquially refer to themselves as "Kiwis," after the country's native bird.
The people of New-Zealand are friendly, and Indian food and masala's are available everywhere. Famous for its natural geysers and spa's, New Zealand offers a huge range of things to see and do. All the major towns have cinemas, nightclubs, restaurants, art galleries and museums. Professional theater companies operate throughout the country and pop concerts feature regularly, often with overseas artists. The wide open spaces and beautiful national parks, combined with relatively mild winters, mean that New Zealanders seem to just about live outdoors. A variety of sports, such as swimming, rugby, cricket, cycling, walking, hockey, soccer, netball, horse riding, tennis, touch football, golf, basketball, badminton, bowls (lawn and indoor), yachting, volleyball, squash, cycling, mountain biking, trail biking, motor racing, skiing, shooting, rowing, and fishing are all a part of life in New-Zealand.
Tourism & Sport
New Zealand varied and rugged landscape lends itself to outdoors activities such as hiking (trekking, tramping, walking), caving, hunting, and both river and ocean fishing. Adrenalin sports and activities are also popular. Both bungee jumping and jet boating are kiwi inventions. Other popular adrenalin activities include: mountain climbing, white water rafting, kayaking, and sky diving. New Zealand has been incredibly successful in a number of sports especially rugby, yachting, and netball. A recent survy suggests that New Zealand is the third most successful sporting nation in the world based on population. However you work it out, New Zealand punches way above its weight.
While in most countries overseas students are barred from employment, in New Zealand they can work part-time for 15 hours a week provided they enroll for full-time courses that are of a 12-month duration. After completion of their studies, students are further encouraged to stay behind and work.
Climate:
New Zealand's maritime climate is temperate with an average of roughly 2000 sunshine hours a year. New Zealand's seasons are the opposite of the northern hemisphere's - summer starts in December, autumn in March, winter in June and spring in September. January and February are the warmest months, with July the coldest.
Overall, the climate is fairly mild with few extremes of temperatures. The average temperature ranges from 15°C in the upper regions of the North Island to 10°C near the bottom of the South Island.
Japan
Ireland
Land area : 26,598 sq mi (68,889 sq km)
Total area : 27,135 sq mi (70,280 sq km)
Population : 4,722,028 (growth rate: 1.112(2011 est.)
Life expectancy : 80.32
Capital : Dublin,
Monetary unit : Euro (formerly Irish pound)
National name : Éire
Languages : English, Irish (Gaelic) (both official)
Literacy rate : 99% (2003 est.)
National Holiday : Saint Patrick's Day, March 17
Natural resources: Zinc, lead, natural gas, barite, copper, gypsum,
Economy
WHY INDIA
With more than 17,000 colleges, 400 universities, 13 institutes of national importance and various other vocational institutes, the higher education system in India is one of the largest in the world.
However, it is the fast integrating world economy and corresponding rise of students mobility that have made studying in India an attractive option. There are a large number of Indian as well as foreign students who apply every year to Indian universities and colleges. For all those who wish to study in India, it is very important to get prior and correct information about the courses that you would like to undertake, the university you want to apply to and how to go about the application procedure. For an international student, it is also important to know the accommodation facilities, weather conditions, food habits and cost of living in the city in which he or she intends to study.
Education in India
The education system in India has savored a special bond between the teacher and the pupil since time unknown. In fact, India was the country to have established what we know as the 'gurukul' system of education. However, with the coming of the Britishers, English has become a part and parcel of Indian education system. Today English is the third major medium of instruction in India after Hindi and Marathi.
Advantages of Studying in India
India is fast becoming a major economic power in the world today. And if its growth trend continues for some more years, it would soon be playing a major role in the world economy along with China. This itself has been a major cause of attraction for many international students. Moreover, India's successful stint with democracy (except the years between 1975-1977) has also been a major magnetic force for scholars around the world. However, apart from knowing India well, there are some other advantages that are attracting students to study in India. Some of these are -
- Low Cost: The cost of education in India is quite low as compared to many other countries of the world.
- Quality Education: Quality of education is not uniform throughout the length and breath of the country. However, there are some educational institutes in India that provide world class education. Indian Institutes of Technology, Indian Institutes of Management, Indian Institutes of Science, National Law Schools, Jawaharlal Nehru University and Delhi University are some such Institutes. The government of India is also speeding up the efforts to establish more such institutes that can offer quality education in India.
- Financial Assistance: Various scholarships, education loans and other financial aids are now available for studying in India today.
- Unique Courses: Apart from above mentioned advantages, one can also study some unique courses that were discovered and developed by the traditional knowledge system of India. Ayurveda, Sanskrit, Yoga, Hindi are some such courses that enthuse many international students.
India has made a huge progress in terms of increasing primary education attendance rate and expanding literacy to approximately two thirds of the population. India's improved education system is often cited as one of the main contributors to the economic rise of India. Much of the progress in education has been credited to various private institutions. The private education market in India is estimated to be worth $40 billion in 2008 and will increase to $68 billion by 2012. However, India continues to face challenges. Despite growing investment in education, 35% of the population is illiterate and only 15% of the students reach high school. As of 2008, India's post-secondary high schools offer only enough seats for 7% of India's college-age population, 25% of teaching positions nationwide are vacant, and 57% of college professors lack either a master's or PhD degree. As of 2007, there are 1522 degree-granting engineering colleges in India with an annual student intake of 582,000, plus 1,244 polytechnics with an annual intake of 265,000. However, these institutions face shortage of faculty and concerns have been raised over the quality of education.
A multilingual web portal on Primary Education is available with rich multimedia content for children and forums to discuss on the Educational issues. India Development Gateway Primary Education is a nationwide initiative that seeks to facilitate rural empowerment through provision of responsive information, products and services in local languages.
Australia
Overview of Australia
Fact 
Land Area : 7.69 million Km2
Population : 21 million
Language : English
Capital City: Canberra
Currency : Australian Dollar (A$)
National Day : 26th January
National Colors : Green and Gold
Background
In land area, Australia is the sixth largest nation after Russia, Canada, China, the United States of America and Brazil. It has, however, a relatively small population. Australia is the only nation to govern an entire continent and its outlying islands. The mainland is the largest island and the smallest, flattest continent on Earth. It lies between 10° and 39° South latitude. The highest point on the mainland, Mount Kosciuszko, is only 2228 metres. Apart from Antarctica, Australia is the driest continent.
Australia is the driest inhabited continent on earth. Its interior has one of the lowest rainfalls in the world and about three-quarters of the land is arid or semi-arid. Its fertile areas are well-watered, however, and these are used very effectively to help feed the world. Sheep and cattle graze in dry country, but care must be taken with the soil. Some grazing land became desert when the long cycles that influence rainfall in Australia turned to drought.
The Australian federation consists of six States and two Territories. Most inland borders follow lines of longitude and latitude. The largest State, Western Australia, is about the same size as Western Europe.
History
The first inhabitants of Australia were the Aborigines, who migrated there at least 40,000 years ago from Southeast Asia. There may have been between a half million to a full million Aborigines at the time of European settlement; today about 350,000 live in Australia.
Dutch, Portuguese, and Spanish ships sighted Australia in the 17th century; the Dutch landed at the Gulf of Carpentaria in 1606. In 1616 the territory became known as New Holland. The British arrived in 1688, but it was not until Captain James Cook's voyage in 1770 that Great Britain claimed possession of the vast island, calling it New South Wales. A British penal colony was set up at Port Jackson (what is now Sydney) in 1788, and about 161,000 transported English convicts were settled there until the system was suspended in 1839.
Free settlers and former prisoners established six colonies: New South Wales (1786), Tasmania (then Van Diemen's Land) (1825), Western Australia (1829), South Australia (1834), Victoria (1851), and Queensland (1859). Various gold rushes attracted settlers, as did the mining of other minerals. Sheep farming and grain soon grew into important economic enterprises. The six colonies became states and in 1901 federated into the Commonwealth of Australia with a constitution that incorporated British parliamentary and U.S. federal traditions. Australia became known for its liberal legislation: free compulsory education, protected trade unionism with industrial conciliation and arbitration, the secret ballot, women's suffrage, maternity allowances, and sickness and old-age pensions.
People
The people in Australia are well-known for their attitude towards their lives. The people of Australia believe in living their life to the fullest. It is this motivation which makes Australians a fun loving, courageous, talented, devoted and an adventurous nation. The Australians are also known for their patriotism.
The historical developments in Australia made it a land of diverse people and culture. The European settlements in the country wiped away the aboriginal civilization to a considerable extent reducing them to a scrimpy figure of only 2% of the population.
Food
Australia is also well known for its fresh ingredients such as seafood, local fruits, beef and lamb, as well as its world class cheeses. Like in Italy and France, Australia can be divided into regions that are known for particular produce such as King Island cream, Sydney rock oysters, Bowen mangoes, Coffin Bay scallops, Tasmanian salmon, and Illabo milk-fed lamb. Each state has its acknowledged specialties, which travelers should take advantage of. Never forgetting the native cuisine called 'bush tucker', which involves traditional diets such as flour and water cooked in the campfire coals to make bread called damper, billy tea, and local animals' meat.
To summarize the varieties of food in Australia, it is then necessary to categorize them into modern Australian food, bush tucker, Asian food, and Australian's favorite.
Culture and Customs
The culture and customs consists of a rich tapestry of nationalities including traditions, legends, myths and folklore. The indigenous 'Dream time' forms the base of tens of thousands of years of spiritual aboriginal art and culture.
Language
In Australia over 200 different languages and dialects are spoken, including 45 indigenous languages. The most commonly spoken languages (other than English) are Italian, Greek, Cantonese, Arabic, Vietnamese and Mandarin.
Economy
Australia has had one of the most outstanding economies of the world in recent years. As a high-growth, low-inflation, low interest rate economy, it is more vibrant than ever before. There is an efficient government sector, a flexible labour market and a very competitive business sector.
With its abundant physical resources, Australia has enjoyed a high standard of living since the nineteenth century. It has made a comparatively large investment in social infrastructure, including education, training, health and transport.
Climate
Different parts of Australia record diverse and interesting weather conditions. Some parts may experience scorching heat during the summer while other parts may enjoy cool summers. Southern part of Australia enjoys pretty cool weather during summer seasons. But summers are hot in Northern and Western Australia. For example, New South Wales and Queensland are characterized by very hot summer months and cool winter months. But Victoria and Tasmania, on the contrary are subjected to cool summers but freezing winter temperatures.
Tropical and Dry Regions in Australia
Two important regions of Weather Australia are the tropical region and dry region . The tropical regions of Australia such as Queensland experience two specific seasons. They are Wet season that occurs from December to March and Dry Season that lasts from May to October. The northern part of Australia generally consists of the Tropical regions. Cyclones are very common in the Tropical regions. On the other hand, central Australia is marked by dry regions which are described by very hot days and equally cold nights.
USA
Study in USA
The land of dreams and opportunities, the U.S. offers high-quality educational options for students from around the globe. Be it for the quality of education or the career prospects after graduation, the U.S. has monopolized the attention of most all study abroad aspirants. Let’s take a closer look at the world’s most preferred country for higher education.
Top 10 Reasons to study in the United States
U.S. colleges and universities are attractive to international students for many reasons. The surveys say that almost 600,000 international students are currently pursuing their higher education degrees in the U.S. Following are the top ten reasons why Indian students choose U.S. colleges and universities:
1. Excellent Academics
It is believed that world’s finest higher education is available in the U.S., especially in the field of technology. U.S. degrees are accepted across the world and are considered to be among the most prestigious.
2. High Quality Research
If research is your passion, the U.S. is the right choice. There are numerous research opportunities in every field that allow students to gain practical experience during their studies. In addition, due to funding from the U.S. government and public and private corporations, students who work as research assistants often receive a waiver of tuition fees and are provided with a stipend to help with their living expenses.
3. Flexibility in Course Curriculum Offerings
In addition to their major field of study and courses, students often have the option to take courses (called “electives”) in other subject areas, based on their interests. In addition, the selection of course offerings at most colleges and universities is very large and diverse. Sometimes students may even be able to “cross-register” or take courses at other nearby universities as part of their degree program.
4. Financial Assistance
In some situations, financial assistance is provided to international students. Most of the universities financially support international students either in the form of providing teaching or research assistantships. These assistantships are based on academic merit, rather than financial need. Awarded students will receive stipends, and/or either partial or full tuition waivers. In some cases, a student’s education could turn out to be completely free if the student exhibits exceptional skills in his or her field of study. Students also have the opportunity to receive grants, loans, and scholarships from various organizations
5. On-Campus Work Opportunities
Most colleges and universities allow international students to work on their campus as part-time employees. Students who are on F-1 student visas can work on-campus up to 20 hours a week during the academic year, and up to 40 hours a week in the summer or vacation periods. The students are usually paid an hourly rate (usually from US$ 8.00-US$15.00 an hour), and their earnings help to cover their living expenses. Students are placed in jobs based on their financial need and personal skills and experience. For example, an English major may be placed at the university library, while someone who has a lifeguard certification may be placed at the campus Aquatic Center.
6. Internships
Students are allowed to work as interns in their respective academic fields outside of the campus during summer vacation. There are internship programs during the academic year as well. Internships are a valuable part of education as they help students gain practical experience while taking classes. Most universities also offer academic credit for internship experience.
7. Job Opportunities / Professional Training
Once students complete their degrees, they are authorized to work full-time for one year in a related field in order to gain practical experience. (As of 2008, students in certain fields can extend this to 17 months.) This program is called the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program. Many talented students are hired as a permanent employee after they complete their OPT period by securing sponsorship from their employers for an H-1 visa. The H-1B visa is a temporary work permit for foreign nationals to work in specialty occupations like Software, Engineering, Teaching, Accounting, or Marketing. Students may continue their work without leaving the U.S. after the status change approval.
8. International Student Affairs Offices
Most all U.S. colleges and universities have an international student affairs office with advisors who provide extraordinary support to international students to help them navigate the sometimes confusing university and immigration bureaucracy and to get the most out of their educational experience. In addition to immigration and academic advising, these offices also often host events and workshops to help international students meet other students and get involved in campus life.
9. Cultural Exchange
Apart from what is taught in the classroom, international students also get to interact with and learn from other students from many different countries and diverse religions, cultures, economic and ethnic backgrounds. This experience can be eye-opening for many international students and helps them to become true global citizens.
10. Value
The success of any student will be directly proportional to the amount of dedication and hard work he or she exercises. Undoubtedly, the U.S. offers a very high quality of education. The variety of skills and cross-cultural environment can make the learning experience in U.S. universities a rich and unique one. With such diverse academic and cultural backgrounds, international students are better prepared for working with absolute ease anywhere in the world.
New Zealand
About New Zealand
Facts:
Population: 4.4 million
Capital: Wellington
Major languages: English, Maori
Major religion: Christianity
Life expectancy: 76 years (men), 81 years (women)
Monetary unit: 1 New Zealand dollar ($NZ)
Main exports: Wool, food and dairy products, wood and paper
Population: 4.4 million
Capital: Wellington
Major languages: English, Maori
Major religion: Christianity
Life expectancy: 76 years (men), 81 years (women)
Monetary unit: 1 New Zealand dollar ($NZ)
Main exports: Wool, food and dairy products, wood and paper
products
Internet domain: .nz
International dialling code: +64
Background
Internet domain: .nz
International dialling code: +64
Background
New Zealand (Aotearoa in Māori) is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island) and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some 1,500 kilometres (900 mi) east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly 1,000 kilometres (600 mi) south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga. Due to its remoteness, it was one of the last lands to be settled by humans. During its long isolation New Zealand developed a distinctive fauna dominated by birds, many of which became extinct after the arrival of humans and introduced mammals. With a mild maritime climate, the land was mostly covered in forest. The country’s varied topography and its sharp mountain peaks owe much to the uplift of land and volcanic eruptions caused by the Pacific and Indo-Australian Plates clashing underfoot.
History
Polynesians settled New Zealand in 1250–1300 AD and developed a distinctive Māori culture, and Europeans first made contact in 1642 AD. The introduction of potatoes and muskets triggered upheaval among Māori early during the 19th century, which led to the inter-tribal Musket Wars. In 1840 the British and Māori signed a treaty making New Zealand a colony of the British Empire. Immigrant numbers increased sharply and conflicts escalated into the Land Wars, which resulted in much Māori land being confiscated in the mid North Island. Economic depressions were followed by periods of political reform, with women gaining the vote during the 1890s, and a welfare state being established from the 1930s. After World War II, New Zealand joined Australia and the United States in the ANZUS security treaty, although the United States later suspended the treaty after New Zealand banned nuclear weapons. New Zealanders enjoyed one of the highest standards of living in the world in the 1950s, but the 1970s saw a deep recession, worsened by oil shocks and the United Kingdom’s entry into the European Economic Community. The country underwent major economic changes during the 1980s, which transformed it from a protectionist to a liberalised free-trade economy. Markets for New Zealand’s agricultural exports have diversified greatly since the 1970s, with once-dominant exports of wool being overtaken by dairy products, meat, and recently wine.
PEOPLE
New Zealand has a diverse, multi cultural population of about 4 million people. The majority of New Zealanders are of British descent and the native Maori population makes up around 14 percent of the population. New Zealand also has a large growing population of Pacific Islanders and Asians.About 15% claim descent from the indigenous Maori population, which is of Polynesian origin. Nearly 76% of the people, including a large majority of Maori, live on the North Island. In addition, 265,974 Pacific peoples live in New Zealand. During the late 1870s, natural increase permanently replaced immigration as the chief contributor to population growth and accounted for more than 75% of population growth in the 20th century. Nearly 85% of New Zealand's population lives in urban areas (with almost one-third in Auckland alone), where the service and manufacturing industries are growing rapidly. New Zealanders colloquially refer to themselves as "Kiwis," after the country's native bird.
The people of New-Zealand are friendly, and Indian food and masala's are available everywhere. Famous for its natural geysers and spa's, New Zealand offers a huge range of things to see and do. All the major towns have cinemas, nightclubs, restaurants, art galleries and museums. Professional theater companies operate throughout the country and pop concerts feature regularly, often with overseas artists. The wide open spaces and beautiful national parks, combined with relatively mild winters, mean that New Zealanders seem to just about live outdoors. A variety of sports, such as swimming, rugby, cricket, cycling, walking, hockey, soccer, netball, horse riding, tennis, touch football, golf, basketball, badminton, bowls (lawn and indoor), yachting, volleyball, squash, cycling, mountain biking, trail biking, motor racing, skiing, shooting, rowing, and fishing are all a part of life in New-Zealand.
Tourism & Sport
New Zealand varied and rugged landscape lends itself to outdoors activities such as hiking (trekking, tramping, walking), caving, hunting, and both river and ocean fishing. Adrenalin sports and activities are also popular. Both bungee jumping and jet boating are kiwi inventions. Other popular adrenalin activities include: mountain climbing, white water rafting, kayaking, and sky diving. New Zealand has been incredibly successful in a number of sports especially rugby, yachting, and netball. A recent survy suggests that New Zealand is the third most successful sporting nation in the world based on population. However you work it out, New Zealand punches way above its weight.
Natural Resources and Agriculture
Natural resources in New Zealand provide for a thriving rural industries in forestry, agriculture, horticulture, and fisheries The most primary groups are agriculture and horticulture with New Zealand being the leading dairy provider in the world, exporting nearly one third of the world's dairy needs. Along with beef and sheep meat, New Zealand is the second largest producer of wool in the world. Agricultural totals over half of all New Zealand exports.
Natural resources in New Zealand provide for a thriving rural industries in forestry, agriculture, horticulture, and fisheries The most primary groups are agriculture and horticulture with New Zealand being the leading dairy provider in the world, exporting nearly one third of the world's dairy needs. Along with beef and sheep meat, New Zealand is the second largest producer of wool in the world. Agricultural totals over half of all New Zealand exports.
Industry & Business
It stands to reason that with a strong agricultural economy, that the primary manufacturing industries are involved in food processing for the meat and dairy industries. The engineering sector is strong as are technologies in food processing, telecommunications, plastics, textiles, forest products, electronics, and mountain equipment. There are also innovative industries in luxurry and racing yacht building as well as software development..
It stands to reason that with a strong agricultural economy, that the primary manufacturing industries are involved in food processing for the meat and dairy industries. The engineering sector is strong as are technologies in food processing, telecommunications, plastics, textiles, forest products, electronics, and mountain equipment. There are also innovative industries in luxurry and racing yacht building as well as software development..
Economy
Traditionally New Zealand's agricultural exports went to the United Kingdom. With the UK joining the EU, New Zealand changed to trading more with the USA, Asia, and especially Australia. Both New Zealand and Australia have similar laws for trading under an agrement called Closer Economic Relations, (CER). There have been a number of pushes for a common market between these two countries and even talk of a common currency. Such a move could gain more traction as the world further falls into different trading blocks. Australia is the biggest export market for New Zealand with the United States being second. The national currency is the New Zealand Dollar also known as the Kiwi.
Job Market
Traditionally New Zealand's agricultural exports went to the United Kingdom. With the UK joining the EU, New Zealand changed to trading more with the USA, Asia, and especially Australia. Both New Zealand and Australia have similar laws for trading under an agrement called Closer Economic Relations, (CER). There have been a number of pushes for a common market between these two countries and even talk of a common currency. Such a move could gain more traction as the world further falls into different trading blocks. Australia is the biggest export market for New Zealand with the United States being second. The national currency is the New Zealand Dollar also known as the Kiwi.
Job Market
While in most countries overseas students are barred from employment, in New Zealand they can work part-time for 15 hours a week provided they enroll for full-time courses that are of a 12-month duration. After completion of their studies, students are further encouraged to stay behind and work.
Climate:
New Zealand's maritime climate is temperate with an average of roughly 2000 sunshine hours a year. New Zealand's seasons are the opposite of the northern hemisphere's - summer starts in December, autumn in March, winter in June and spring in September. January and February are the warmest months, with July the coldest.
Overall, the climate is fairly mild with few extremes of temperatures. The average temperature ranges from 15°C in the upper regions of the North Island to 10°C near the bottom of the South Island.
Japan
About Japan
Facts:
Location: Japan's neighbors include the Republic of Korea, China, and Russia.
Population: 127,797,000 (as of June 2011)
Land area: 377,947 square kilometers
Unit of currency: yen
Language: Japanese
Main religions: Shinto, Buddhism, and Christianity
Number of prefectures: 47
Capital: Tokyo
Main industries: Automobiles, precision machinery, consumer electronics, computers and other electronic goods
GDP: US$5,042 billion (as of 2009)
GDP per capita: US$39,530 (as of 2009)
History:
Few nations on Earth have had a more colorful history than Japan. Japan likely was settled about 35,000 years ago by Paleolithic people from the Asian mainland.
Settled by migrants from the Asian mainland back in the mists of prehistory, Japan has seen the rise and fall of emperors, rule by samurai warriors, isolation from the outside world, expansion over most of Asia, defeat and rebound. One of the most war-like of nations in the early twentieth century, today Japan often serves as a voice of pacifism and restraint on the international stage.
Economy:
Japan is one of the most technologically advanced societies on Earth; as a result, it has the world's second largest economy by GDP (after the U.S.). Japan exports automobiles, consumer and office electronics, steel, and transportation equipment. It imports food, oil, lumber, and metal ores.
Economic growth stalled in the 1990s, but since has rebounded to a quietly respectable 2% per year.
The services sector employs 67.7% of the work-force, industry 27.8%, and agriculture 4.6%. The unemployment rate is 4.1%.
Per capita GDP in Japan is $38,500; 13.5% of the population lives below the poverty line.
Languages:
The vast majority of Japan's citizens (99%) speak Japanese as their primary language.
Japanese is in the Japonic language family, and seems to be unrelated to Chinese and Korean. However, Japanese has borrowed heavily from Chinese, English, and other languages. In fact, 49% of Japanese words are loan-words from Chinese, and 9% come from English.
Three writing systems coexist in Japan: hiragana, used for native Japanese words, inflected verbs, etc.; katakana, used for non-Japanese loanwords, emphasis, and onomatopoeia; and kanji, which is used to express the large number of Chinese loan-words in the Japanese language.
Religion:
95% of Japanese citizens adhere to a syncretic blend of Shintoism and Buddhism. There are minorities of under 1% of Christians, Muslims, Hindus, and Sikhs.
Shinto is the native religion of Japan, which developed in prehistoric times. It is a polytheistic faith, emphasizing the divinity of the natural world. Shintoism does not have a holy book or founder.
Most Japanese Buddhists belong to the Mahayana school, which came to Japan from Baekje Korea in the sixth century.
In Japan, Shinto and Buddhist practices are combined into a single religion, with Buddhist temples being built at the sites of important Shinto shrines.
Geography:
The Japanese Archipelago includes more than 3,000 islands, covering a total area of 377,835 square kilometers. The four main islands, from north to south, are Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu.
Japan is largely mountainous and forested, with only 11.6% of its area arable land.
The highest point is Mt. Fuji at 3,776 meters (12,385 feet). The lowest is Hachiro-gata, at 4 meters below sealevel (-12 feet).
Positioned astride the Pacific Ring of Fire, Japan features a number of hydrothermal features such as geysers and hotsprings. It also suffers frequent earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions.
Climate:
Stretching 3500 km (2174 miles) from north to south, Japan includes a number of different climate zones. It has a temperate climate overall, with four seasons.
Heavy snowfall is the rule in the winter on the northern island of Hokkaido; in 1970, the town of Kutchan received 312 cm (over 10 feet) of snow in a single day! The total snowfall for that winter was more than 20 meters (66 feet).
The southern island of Okinawa, in contrast, has a semi-tropical climate with an average annual temperate of 20 Celsius (72 degrees Fahrenheit). The island receives about 200 cm (80 inches) of rain per year.
Food:
The word for "meal" in Japanese is gohan. This word actually refers to steamed rice, but rice is such an important food to the Japanese that gohan has come to mean all sorts of meals. A traditional Japanese meal consists of a serving of plain, white rice, along with a main dish (fish or meat), some kind of side dish (often cooked vegetables), soup (often miso soup), and pickled vegetables. Japanese rice is sticky when cooked, making it ideal for eating with chopsticks.
Japanese today eat many dishes from around the world, notably from Europe, North America, and Asia. In addition to rice, Japanese people eat bread, noodles, and pasta and enjoy a wide array of meats, fishes, vegetables, and fruits. Sushi, tempura, sukiyaki, and other Japanese foods famous abroad are, of course, also popular in Japan.
Culture:
Japanese culture, particularly traditional Japanese culture has many roots in traditional Chinese culture, however Japanese culture, even historically differed from Chinese culture and due to the separation of the two land masses, plus the enforced periods of isolation from the outside world, further extended the differences between the two cultures.
It is with some irony then that in modern times that the younger Chinese generations have looked to modern Japanese culture as a source of inspiration, particularly in field of Japanese fashion culture, where the Chinese are inspired by Japanese fashion magazines.
Tourism
The Country of Japan is endowed with an spectrum of beautiful places to see and enjoy. Japan Tourism, therefore incorporates the visit to historic ruins, cultural resources, ultra modern cities as well as lush dense forests and woods, breath taking mountain ranges and sun drenched sea shorelines.
This country of 'Nippon' is divided into several prefectures. Each of these divisions is graced with serene nature parks, ancient shrines, Buddhist monasteries as well as cutting edge technology zones. All the tourist hubs are well connected by highly advanced and easily available transportation systems. Transport options including bus, trains, taxis and flights make Japan Tourism a popular choice for tourists the world over.
About Ireland
Facts:
Land area : 26,598 sq mi (68,889 sq km)
Total area : 27,135 sq mi (70,280 sq km)
Population : 4,722,028 (growth rate: 1.112(2011 est.)
Life expectancy : 80.32
Capital : Dublin,
Monetary unit : Euro (formerly Irish pound)
National name : Éire
Languages : English, Irish (Gaelic) (both official)
Literacy rate : 99% (2003 est.)
National Holiday : Saint Patrick's Day, March 17
Natural resources: Zinc, lead, natural gas, barite, copper, gypsum,
limestone, dolomite,peat, silver.
Export goods : Machinery and equipment, computers, chemicals,
medical devices, pharmaceuticals, food products, animal products.
Main industries : Pharmaceuticals, chemicals, computer hardware and software, food
products, beverages and brewing, medical devices.
History
Relics from the Stone Age lead to the conclusion that Ireland is 8,000 years old, the first settlers probably traveling from Scandinavia to Scotland (at that time England was still linked by land to northern Europe) then across what was a narrow sea gap to Ireland. These early settlers beame the Tribes of Firbolg and Tuatha De Dannann when they were invaded by the Milesius of Spain around 1,000 B.C.. Today's Irish Race is a combination of the three-above mentioned tribes known as the one Celtic Race. After the Bronze Age and during the Iron Age around 400 A.D., brought about new technologies . The large Roman Empire stopped short of Ireland although dominating most of Europe. The Vikings began invasions of Ireland in the 9th Century. In 1171 King Henry of England asserted sovereignty with the building of abbey-churches and castles. Later, Henry VIII added the title of "King Of Ireland" although the Reformation falling short of it's intentions of pure English control. By the mid-16 century, the first plantation policy took effect which led to redistribution of wealth and suppression of Catholicism. Farms lands were confiscated from Catholics and given to Protestant settlers. By the mid-17th century Charles Cromwell and his puritan forces supervised revengful destruction of key parts of Ireland, leaving the Irish resistance in shambles. In 1690 Protestant William of Organge beat his father-in-law, James II, over succession of the British throne. In 1800 the Irish parliament was abolished forming the Act of Union which was the United Kingdom of Great Britian and Ireland.
Cities & Counties
products, beverages and brewing, medical devices.
History
Relics from the Stone Age lead to the conclusion that Ireland is 8,000 years old, the first settlers probably traveling from Scandinavia to Scotland (at that time England was still linked by land to northern Europe) then across what was a narrow sea gap to Ireland. These early settlers beame the Tribes of Firbolg and Tuatha De Dannann when they were invaded by the Milesius of Spain around 1,000 B.C.. Today's Irish Race is a combination of the three-above mentioned tribes known as the one Celtic Race. After the Bronze Age and during the Iron Age around 400 A.D., brought about new technologies . The large Roman Empire stopped short of Ireland although dominating most of Europe. The Vikings began invasions of Ireland in the 9th Century. In 1171 King Henry of England asserted sovereignty with the building of abbey-churches and castles. Later, Henry VIII added the title of "King Of Ireland" although the Reformation falling short of it's intentions of pure English control. By the mid-16 century, the first plantation policy took effect which led to redistribution of wealth and suppression of Catholicism. Farms lands were confiscated from Catholics and given to Protestant settlers. By the mid-17th century Charles Cromwell and his puritan forces supervised revengful destruction of key parts of Ireland, leaving the Irish resistance in shambles. In 1690 Protestant William of Organge beat his father-in-law, James II, over succession of the British throne. In 1800 the Irish parliament was abolished forming the Act of Union which was the United Kingdom of Great Britian and Ireland.
Cities & Counties
For administrative purposes, Ireland is divided into 27 counties, most of which are described in separate articles, and 5 county boroughs, which are coextensive with the cities of Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, and Waterford. The following counties are in Ireland: Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois (Laoighis), Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wexford, and Wicklow, in Leinster Province; Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary North Riding, Tipperary South Riding, and Waterford, in Munster Province; Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon, and Sligo, in Connaught (Connacht) Province; and Cavan, Donegal, and Monaghan, in Ulster Province. The capital and largest city is Dublin, with a population of 920,956. Cork is the second largest city and a major port, with a population of 173,694. Other cities and towns, important primarily as trading centers for produce, with their population figures include Limerick (76,557) and Waterford (41,054).
Religion and Language
About 94% of the people of Ireland are Roman Catholics, and less than 4% are Protestants. Protestant groups include the Church of Ireland (Anglican) and the Presbyterian and Methodist denominations. Freedom of worship is guaranteed by the constitution. Almost all the people speak English, and about one-fourth also speak Irish, a Gaelic language that is the traditional tongue of Ireland. Irish is spoken as the vernacular by a relatively small number of people, however, mostly in areas of the west. The constitution provides for both Irish and English as official languages.
Education
Religion and Language
About 94% of the people of Ireland are Roman Catholics, and less than 4% are Protestants. Protestant groups include the Church of Ireland (Anglican) and the Presbyterian and Methodist denominations. Freedom of worship is guaranteed by the constitution. Almost all the people speak English, and about one-fourth also speak Irish, a Gaelic language that is the traditional tongue of Ireland. Irish is spoken as the vernacular by a relatively small number of people, however, mostly in areas of the west. The constitution provides for both Irish and English as official languages.
Education
Irish people are well educated. Education is partly funded by the government and is free for the most part. School is compulsory for children 5 – 15 years old. Approximately 80% of Irish students complete secondary school and approximately 50% continue on to higher education. The majority of primary schools are day schools; however, there are a few boarding schools in Ireland. Home schooling is allowed in Ireland with some regulation, and more families are getting into home-schooling. The National Education (Welfare) Board is the body responsible for registration and assessment of home schooling families in Ireland. The legislative framework for home education in Ireland is more progressive than in many other western European countries.
Sports
The most popular sports in Ireland are Hurling (field sport played with sticks) and Gaelic football. Other popular sports are soccer, horseback riding, rugby, golf, horse racing, cycling and many water sports
Food
Food
Traditional foods of Ireland are simple and include lamb, Irish stew, sausage, homemade cheeses, fresh fish, fresh baked breads and scones, fish & chips (chippers), potatoes, cabbage, carrots, corned beef, cabbage and boxty. The Irish are known for their large breakfasts called “frys”. To explore some Irish recipes, see our Recipes Section.
Today the foods of Ireland feature their local ingredients and include sophisticated international cooking technique and gourmet dishes. All types of international cuisine are found in Ireland.
People
Today the foods of Ireland feature their local ingredients and include sophisticated international cooking technique and gourmet dishes. All types of international cuisine are found in Ireland.
People
The Median Age of the People in Ireland is: 34.8 years, with the break down of males 34.5 years and females 35.1 years (2011 est.). The Irish people are hard-working, very honest and known for their friendliness, hospitality, sense of fun and wonderful humour. Family life is important in Ireland and children are included in most events. In the rural areas people often maintain a great sense of the old, traditional Irish ways, but in the urban areas, Ireland is very modern.
Geography and Climate
Ireland is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world. To the east of Ireland, across the Irish Sea, is the island of Great Britain. Exploring Ireland’s impressive scenery reveals endless views of rugged sea cliffs, outlaying islands, and gentle hills.
Nestled among these charming landscapes are numerous castles, fishing villages, and national parks for great weekend adventures. Ireland has a temperate climate, with cool winters and mild summers. Rain is common throughout the year, helping to contribute to the country’s 40 shades of green that line the landscapes.
Economy
Although a small island country, and one that was almost totally dependent upon agriculture till the start of the 20th century, Ireland has seen very impressive economic growth in the past few decades. The main economic development in the past few decades has been the shift from an agriculture-based economy to one which is largely based on industry; today, the bulk of Ireland’s work force is employed in industry; industry accounts for the major share of export earnings as well. Ireland, a part of the EU, also opened up to the Euro currency, which can now be freely used in the country.
Tourism
'When Irish eyes are smiling, sure 'tis like the morn in Spring. In the lilt of Irish laughter, you can hear the angels sing'
So goes the lyrics of a popular old song. They also say when there's more than two of them in a room there's bound to be party! That says a lot about the Irish. The Irish are a happy-go-lucky people, passionate about music, song, dance and they have certain joie de vivre that permeates through. The Irish are known for many things: for St Patrick’s Day and four-leaf clover; for Guinness and for its almost mythical natural beauty; for the string of deep-blue Lakes of Killarney, for the serene, lovely Connemara Mountains and for the mystic beauty of the limestone desert called the Burren, for the wildly dramatic Giant’s Causeway and the many hues of green in the Glens of Antrim.
Ireland has been called the `Emerald Isle’- and with good reason too. Immortalized in poetry and prose, in painting and in tourist literature too, Ireland with its historic cities and the legendary warmth and hospitality of its people is an attractive destination as more and more visitors find out year after year!
'When Irish eyes are smiling, sure 'tis like the morn in Spring. In the lilt of Irish laughter, you can hear the angels sing'
So goes the lyrics of a popular old song. They also say when there's more than two of them in a room there's bound to be party! That says a lot about the Irish. The Irish are a happy-go-lucky people, passionate about music, song, dance and they have certain joie de vivre that permeates through. The Irish are known for many things: for St Patrick’s Day and four-leaf clover; for Guinness and for its almost mythical natural beauty; for the string of deep-blue Lakes of Killarney, for the serene, lovely Connemara Mountains and for the mystic beauty of the limestone desert called the Burren, for the wildly dramatic Giant’s Causeway and the many hues of green in the Glens of Antrim.
Ireland has been called the `Emerald Isle’- and with good reason too. Immortalized in poetry and prose, in painting and in tourist literature too, Ireland with its historic cities and the legendary warmth and hospitality of its people is an attractive destination as more and more visitors find out year after year!
UK
The United Kingdom
Fast facts
Population: 60.7 million (UN, 2007)
Capital: London
Area: 242,514 sq km (93,638 sq miles)
Major language: English
Major religion: Christianity
Life expectancy: 77 years (men), 82 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: 1 pound sterling = 100 pence
Main exports: Manufactured goods, chemicals, foodstuffs
GNI per capita: US $37,600 (World Bank, 2006)
Internet domain: .uk
International dialing code: +44
Population: 60.7 million (UN, 2007)
Capital: London
Area: 242,514 sq km (93,638 sq miles)
Major language: English
Major religion: Christianity
Life expectancy: 77 years (men), 82 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: 1 pound sterling = 100 pence
Main exports: Manufactured goods, chemicals, foodstuffs
GNI per capita: US $37,600 (World Bank, 2006)
Internet domain: .uk
International dialing code: +44
History
As the dominant industrial and maritime power of the 19th century, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland played a leading role in developing parliamentary democracy and in advancing literature and science. At its zenith, the British Empire stretched over one-fourth of the earth's surface. The first half of the 20th century saw the UK's strength seriously depleted in two World Wars and the Irish republic withdraw from the union. The second half witnessed the dismantling of the Empire and the UK rebuilding itself into a modern and prosperous European nation. As one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council, a founding member of NATO, and of the Commonwealth, the UK pursues a global approach to foreign policy; it currently is weighing the degree of its integration with continental Europe. A member of the EU, it chose to remain outside the Economic and Monetary Union for the time being. Constitutional reform is also a significant issue in the UK. The Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales, and the Northern Ireland Assembly were established in 1999, but the latter was suspended until May 2007 due to wrangling over the peace process.
Economy
The UK, a leading trading power and financial center, is one of the quintets of trillion dollar economies of Western Europe. Over the past two decades, the government has greatly reduced public ownership and contained the growth of social welfare programs. Agriculture is intensive, highly mechanized, and efficient by European standards, producing about 60% of food needs with less than 2% of the labor force. The UK has large coal, natural gas, and oil resources, but its oil and natural gas reserves are declining and the UK became a net importer of energy in 2005; energy industries now contribute about 4% to GDP. Services, particularly banking, insurance, and business services, account by far for the largest proportion of GDP while industry continues to decline in importance. Since emerging from recession in 1992, Britain's economy enjoyed the longest period of expansion on record during which time growth outpaced most of Western Europe. The global economic slowdown, tight credit, and falling home prices, however, pushed Britain back into recession in the latter half of 2008 and prompted the BROWN government to implement a number of new measures to stimulate the economy and stabilize the financial markets; these include part-nationalizing the banking system, cutting taxes, suspending public sector borrowing rules, and bringing forward public spending on capital projects. The Bank of England periodically coordinates interest rate moves with the European Central Bank, but Britain remains outside the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), and opinion polls show a majority of Britons oppose joining the euro.
The UK, a leading trading power and financial center, is one of the quintets of trillion dollar economies of Western Europe. Over the past two decades, the government has greatly reduced public ownership and contained the growth of social welfare programs. Agriculture is intensive, highly mechanized, and efficient by European standards, producing about 60% of food needs with less than 2% of the labor force. The UK has large coal, natural gas, and oil resources, but its oil and natural gas reserves are declining and the UK became a net importer of energy in 2005; energy industries now contribute about 4% to GDP. Services, particularly banking, insurance, and business services, account by far for the largest proportion of GDP while industry continues to decline in importance. Since emerging from recession in 1992, Britain's economy enjoyed the longest period of expansion on record during which time growth outpaced most of Western Europe. The global economic slowdown, tight credit, and falling home prices, however, pushed Britain back into recession in the latter half of 2008 and prompted the BROWN government to implement a number of new measures to stimulate the economy and stabilize the financial markets; these include part-nationalizing the banking system, cutting taxes, suspending public sector borrowing rules, and bringing forward public spending on capital projects. The Bank of England periodically coordinates interest rate moves with the European Central Bank, but Britain remains outside the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), and opinion polls show a majority of Britons oppose joining the euro.
Climate
Britain is an island country and the surrounding sea gives England a varied climate. We never know what the weather will be like from one day to the other. It can be sunny one day and rainy the next. It is difficult to predict the weather. In general UK experiences warm summers and cool winters. The summers are cooler than those on the continent, but the winters are milder. Overall, the climate is temperate; moderated by prevailing southwest winds over the North Atlantic Current; more than one-half of the days are overcast.
Britain is an island country and the surrounding sea gives England a varied climate. We never know what the weather will be like from one day to the other. It can be sunny one day and rainy the next. It is difficult to predict the weather. In general UK experiences warm summers and cool winters. The summers are cooler than those on the continent, but the winters are milder. Overall, the climate is temperate; moderated by prevailing southwest winds over the North Atlantic Current; more than one-half of the days are overcast.
Culture
There is a wide mix of cultures in the UK. In London there are foreign communities from most parts of the world. British people are usually tolerant to foreigners, and respect the freedom to have different opinions and beliefs. People usually feel free to express their own opinions and wear what they want. Don't expect people to agree with you all of the time. British people have a strong sense of humour, but it can be hard for foreigners to understand when someone is joking. People often avoid talking to strangers until they have been introduced, partly to avoid any possible embarrassment. Individual ideas are encouraged. Arts and music are creative. British people are often not so good at working as a group. People are quite modest. They do not like to complain directly: life is peaceful, but when there is poor service it is not challenged and changed.
There is a wide mix of cultures in the UK. In London there are foreign communities from most parts of the world. British people are usually tolerant to foreigners, and respect the freedom to have different opinions and beliefs. People usually feel free to express their own opinions and wear what they want. Don't expect people to agree with you all of the time. British people have a strong sense of humour, but it can be hard for foreigners to understand when someone is joking. People often avoid talking to strangers until they have been introduced, partly to avoid any possible embarrassment. Individual ideas are encouraged. Arts and music are creative. British people are often not so good at working as a group. People are quite modest. They do not like to complain directly: life is peaceful, but when there is poor service it is not challenged and changed.
Food
There is in fact a very wide variety of food available (both traditional British` food and international cuisine), especially in the bigger cities. There are many fresh ingredients which are delicious when cooked well. However, many busy people don't pay much attention to preparing food well and prefer instant meals. It is increasingly popular for British people get a takeaway or go to a restaurant instead of cooking at home, and often this is used as a chance to try different types of food. Most towns have an Indian restaurant, serving foods such as curry and chicken tikka masala. Chinese restaurants are also very common. Many people like Italian pizza and pasta dishes. Fast food restaurants often serve beef burgers or fried chicken. Fish and chip shops are still popular, especially in towns by the coast.
There is in fact a very wide variety of food available (both traditional British` food and international cuisine), especially in the bigger cities. There are many fresh ingredients which are delicious when cooked well. However, many busy people don't pay much attention to preparing food well and prefer instant meals. It is increasingly popular for British people get a takeaway or go to a restaurant instead of cooking at home, and often this is used as a chance to try different types of food. Most towns have an Indian restaurant, serving foods such as curry and chicken tikka masala. Chinese restaurants are also very common. Many people like Italian pizza and pasta dishes. Fast food restaurants often serve beef burgers or fried chicken. Fish and chip shops are still popular, especially in towns by the coast.
Job Market
In general, UK’s job market is good. There are good opportunities for the new graduates, which are expected to rise by 16.4% in 2008 (As per Association of Graduate Recruiters). 41% of recruitment was in London, 10.3% were in South east. Finance, law, consulting and related activities are the popular graduate employment sectors in the capital, whereas health and social work are leading in other regions of UK. Many UK employers are looking for certain skills in, Management, Support services, Designing, Analysis, and Finance etc. Therefore students looking for education in these fields can expect good career opportunities in UK. Very recently, there have been a few changes in the points-based systemfor migration to UK.
Tourism
United Kingdom is the beautiful tourist destination for any age group of people. It is the sixth biggest tourism place in the world. Every year around 30 million people visit United Kingdom and the nation has spent £ 21238 millions on tourism in 2007. It has many tourist attractions like Alton Tower and Buckingham Palace in London and many other beautiful experiences in Scotland and Wales. Cities like London, Edinburgh and Glasgow are prominent for food, pubs, and traditional approach. The tourism department of UK has facilities many services for the convenience of both international and domestic tourists. Many universities provide campus tours for their students.
United Kingdom is the beautiful tourist destination for any age group of people. It is the sixth biggest tourism place in the world. Every year around 30 million people visit United Kingdom and the nation has spent £ 21238 millions on tourism in 2007. It has many tourist attractions like Alton Tower and Buckingham Palace in London and many other beautiful experiences in Scotland and Wales. Cities like London, Edinburgh and Glasgow are prominent for food, pubs, and traditional approach. The tourism department of UK has facilities many services for the convenience of both international and domestic tourists. Many universities provide campus tours for their students.
Canada
Study in Canada
Fact
Capital: Ottawa
Population: 32,207,113 Area: 9,970,610 sq km
Language: English, French
Religion: Roman Catholic, Anglican
Continent: North America
Background
Covering most of the northern part of the North American continent and with an area larger than that of the United States, Canada has an extremely varied topography. In the east, the mountainous maritime provinces have an irregular coastline on the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Atlantic. The St. Lawrence plain, covering most of southern Quebec and Ontario, and the interior continental plain, covering southern Manitoba and Saskatchewan and most of Alberta, are the principal cultivable areas. They are separated by a forested plateau rising from Lakes Superior and Huron.
Westward toward the Pacific, most of British Columbia, the Yukon, and part of western Alberta are covered by parallel mountain ranges, including the Rockies. The Pacific border of the coast range is ragged with fjords and channels. The highest point in Canada is Mount Logan (19,850 ft; 6,050 m), which is in the Yukon. The two principal river systems are the Mackenzie and the St. Lawrence. The St. Lawrence, with its tributaries, is navigable for over 1,900 mi (3,058 km).
History
The first inhabitants of Canada were native Indian peoples, primarily the Inuit (Eskimo). The Norse explorer Leif Eriksson probably reached the shores of Canada (Labrador or Nova Scotia) in 1000, but the history of the white man in the country actually began in 1497, when John Cabot, an Italian in the service of Henry VII of England, reached Newfoundland or Nova Scotia. Canada was taken for France in 1534 by Jacques Cartier. The actual settlement of New France, as it was then called, began in 1604 at Port Royal in what is now Nova Scotia; in 1608, Quebec was founded. France's colonization efforts were not very successful, but French explorers by the end of the 17th century had penetrated beyond the Great Lakes to the western prairies and south along the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico. Meanwhile, the English Hudson's Bay Company had been established in 1670. Because of the valuable fisheries and fur trade, a conflict developed between the French and English; in 1713, Newfoundland, Hudson Bay, and Nova Scotia (Acadia) were lost to England. During the Seven Years' War (1756–1763), England extended its conquest, and the British general James Wolfe won his famous victory over Gen. Louis Montcalm outside Quebec on Sept. 13, 1759. The Treaty of Paris in 1763 gave.
People
More than 80% of the population is Canadian-born. In general, the percentage of the population born outside Canada increases as one goes westward from Newfoundland to British Columbia. Persons of whole or partial British (including Irish) origin make up about 28% of the total population; those of whole or partial French origin (centered mainly in Québec, where they constitute some 80% of the population) make up 23%. Other European groups account for 15% of the total populace. About 26% of the population are from mixed backgrounds. Others, mostly Asian, African, and Arab, make up about 6% of the population.
Food:
The agricultural and ethnic richness of Canada has led to two distinctive characteristics of everyday food consumption. The first is its scale. Canadians are "big eaters," with meat portions in particular dominating the Canadian meal. There are generally three regular meals in a given day. Breakfast, often large and important in rural areas, but less so in urban areas, is most often not eaten in a group. Lunch, at midday, is most often a snack in urban areas, but remains a substantial meal in rural centers. Dinner, the final formal meal of the day, is also the meal most likely to be eaten by a residential group as a whole, and it is the largest and the most socially important meal of the day. It is the meal most often used as a social event or to which invitations to nonfamily members are extended, in contrast with lunch which is often, for adults, shared with coworkers. Meat plays a key role in all three of the formal meals, but with increasing importance at breakfast and dinner. Dinner should have some special, and most often, large, meat portion as its key component. Each of these three meals can be, and often are, very substantial. There are general rules concerning appropriate foods for each meal, rules that can be quite complex
Culture
Canadian culture is a term that explains the artistic, musical, literary, culinary, political and social elements that are representative of Canada and Canadians, not only to its own population, but people all over the world. Canada's culture has historically been influenced by European culture and traditions, especially British and French. Over time, elements of the cultures of Canada's Aboriginal peoples and immigrant populations have become incorporated into mainstream Canadian culture. It has subsequently been influenced by American culture because of its proximity and migration between the two countries.
Climate:
The climate in Canada varies widely. The northern parts of Canada are within the Arctic Circle, while southern Canada is on a similar latitude to northern France, so the climate varies accordingly.
Summer: Cities in the lower part of Canada, such as Québec City and Montreal (Québec), Regina (Sasketchewan) and Ottawa (Ontario) have summer temperatures that average 25-26 degrees Celcius. Calgary, in Alberta, which sits on a similar latitude to London, has an average summer temperature of around 23 degrees.Toronto (Ontario), the southernmost city in Canada, can have temperatures in to 30s in summer. Toronto also has the advantage of sitting next to Lake Ontario, which moderates the city’s weather, keeping it warmer in winter.
Winter:All cities in Canada experience snow in the winter, and even Toronto has snow on the ground for around two to three months a year. The average December/January temperature in most cities is below zero, in some cases falling below -20, and even the average maximum temperature is often in the negatives.
Economy
Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2009 est.): $1.29 trillion; per capita $38,400. Real growth rate: —2.5%. Inflation: 0.2%. Unemployment: 8.5%. Arable land: 5%. Agriculture: wheat, barley, oilseed, tobacco, fruits, vegetables; dairy products; forest products; fish. Labor force: 16.3 million (Dec. 2005); agriculture 2%, manufacturing 14%, construction 5%, services 75%, other 3% (2004). Industries: transportation equipment, chemicals, processed and unprocessed minerals, food products, wood and paper products, fish products, petroleum and natural gas. Natural resources: iron ore, nickel, zinc, copper, gold, lead, molybdenum, potash, diamonds, silver, fish, timber, wildlife, coal, petroleum, natural gas, hydropower. Exports: $298.5 billion f.o.b. (2009 est.): motor vehicles and parts, industrial machinery, aircraft, telecommunications equipment; chemicals, plastics, fertilizers; wood pulp, timber, crude petroleum, natural gas, electricity, aluminum. Imports: $305.2 billion f.o.b. (2009 est.): machinery and equipment, motor vehicles and parts, crude oil, chemicals, electricity, durable consumer goods. Major trading partners: U.S., Japan, UK, China, Mexico (2004).
Job Market
The Canadian job market is similar to that in other developed countries. The majority of jobs are in the service sector, with the remainder in manufacturing and natural resources. Unemployment is 6.8%, slightly higher than the long-term average in the last 30 years with The labour force numbers 17m.
The majority of Canada’s economic growth is concentrated in the four major cities: Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver and Montreal. Unemployment is highest in the Atlantic Provinces, such as Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island A prospective employer would need to obtain a work permit on your behalf. Many companies are reluctant to do this as it involves spending time and money with lawyers
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