The fresh water makes up over 10 percent of the total area of Canada, and the coastline is the largest in the world (273,792 km).

Nearly all of its (about 90 percent) of 30 million people is concentrated within 160 km near the United States/Canada border.

In 1867 it became a self-governing dominion with parliamentary democracy retaining ties to British Crown. Also Canada economically and technologically developed in parallel with the United States, it differs from its southern neighbor in many respects, such as its economy; social, political, legal and health care systems.

Among its specific problems is the relationship with Quebec, French-speaking province of unique culture. Another problem is the flow south to the United States of professionals caused by higher pay, lower takes, and the rich high-tech infrastructure.

Though differing in some respects, economically Canada closely resembles the United States with its dynamic, high-tech industrial society, market-oriented economic system, pattern of production and high living standards. Being one of the worlds wealthiest countries, Canada is a member of Group of Eight (G8) and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). As for other most developed states the service sector of Canada is the dominating sector of its economy employing about three quarters of Canadians. But Canada differs from many of them being a net exporter of energy with its vast deposits of natural gas and large oil resources, the second largest of the world. Besides, hydroelectric power presents for Canada a cheap source of additional abundant energy.

Along with it, due to its Prairies, Canada is worlds most important suppliers of agricultural products, among them wheat and other grains. Canada is also worlds largest producer of many important natural resources such as zinc, uranium, gold, nickel, aluminum and lead.

Canada has as well a significant manufacturing sector with automobile industry especially important.

Partly due to its large primary sector Canada maintains a great level of international trade, especially with the United States. The trade and economic integration of Canada with the United States have strongly increased after approving of the 1989 U.S. Canada Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and 1994 North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Since then Canada   enjoys stable economic development, with real rates of grows nearly 3 percent, falling unemployment, and government budget surpluses are being partially devoted to reducing the large public sector debt. This is mainly due to the education and health sections, which are among Canadas largest, being largely under the government control.