15 Weird Facts About Canada You Probably Didn’t Know

Discover Canada beyond its politeness and maple syrup. Dive into 15 surprising and quirky facts about this large nation's peculiarities, set to challenge perceptions.

Polar Bears Are Considered Marine Mammals in Canada

Polar bears are seen as land animals in most countries but are classified as marine mammals in Canada due to their time spent on sea ice, giving Canada conservation jurisdiction.

Get Screeched in Newfoundland

Intriguing Canadian culture involves kissing a dead cod in Newfoundland, followed by a shot of rum called Skreech. Visitors can partake if they wish.

Canadians Put Milk in Bags

Indeed, Canada has a unique tradition: using milk bags. This practice is widespread, even retailers like Costco stock bagged milk. Just one quirk that makes Canada intriguing.

Canada Has National Parks That Are Bigger Than Many Countries

Wood Buffalo National Park in Alberta, at over 44,000 sq km, exceeds combined territories of Denmark & Switzerland. Similarly, Nahanni National Park Reserve surpasses size of Israel. These parks highlight Canada's diverse landscapes.

Canada Is Home to North America’s Oldest and Smallest Jail

Rodney, Ontario houses an 8x10ft jail cell, used by police from 1956-60. Closed due to its tiny size, it's now a tourist attraction.

The Nation’s Capital Has a Secret Underground City

Ottawa, Canada's capital, has an underground tunnel network connecting buildings. Initially built for government workers in winter, today it hosts shops and restaurants.

Kanata Was the Original Name of Canada

Before the name Canada, it was called 'Kanata', an Indigenous St. Lawrence Iroquoian word meaning 'village'. The French mispronounced this as 'Canada'.

There Is a Polar Bear Jail in Canada

Canada prioritises animal conservation. Churchill, Manitoba has a unique "polar bear jail" for bears that come near human settlements, they are held until safe to return to the wild.

Canada Eats More Doughnuts Than Any Other Country in the World

Canada has the most doughnut shops per capita. Surprisingly, 30 million Canadians eat over 1 billion doughnuts a year, largely thanks to Tim Hortons!

In Churchill, Canada, Residents Leave Their Cars Unlocked

Churchill, Manitoba, known for its high polar bear population, encourages residents and visitors to leave car doors unlocked for potential bear escape. This is due to bears frequently entering town in summers when hunting sea ice is absent.

You Will Probably Weigh Less in Canada

Canada's gravity is notably lower due to land mass differences and the Laurentide Ice Sheet's melt. Thus, you could be a tenth of an ounce lighter in Hudson Bay.

It Is Illegal to Smell Bad in Canada

It's illegal to stink in Canada due to a law requiring people to be clean and neatly dressed in public. Offending odors could land you two years in prison.

The World’s Longest Street Is in Canada

Younge Street in Ontario holds the Guinness Record for longest street worldwide. It extends over 1,896 km from Toronto to Lake Simcoe and features Canada's largest mall.

Canadian Police Give “Positive Tickets” to Reward Good Behavior

In Canada, cops carry "positive tickets" to award good behaviors and create bonding with the community, reinforcing positive actions in young kids.

“EH” Is an Actual Word in the Canadian Dictionary

"Eh", a popular Canadian slang, recognized as an interjection in the Canadian Oxford Dictionary, can be added to any sentence for various meanings.

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