The Name "Canada"
Canada is derived from the word "kanata" which in Huron-Iroquois language means "village" or "settlement".
The word kanata was first heard by Jacques Cartier while he was requesting directions to Quebec City, which in 1535, was the Indian village of Stadacona. Cartier expanded the use of the word Canada to include all lands overseen by Chief Donnacona.
By 1547 maps showed all land north of the St Lawrence River as Canada. The St. Lawrence River was actually called the "rivière de Canada" until the early 1600's.
The land along the river of Canada and the Gulf of St. Lawrence was still called Canada in 1616, but everything north was referred to as New France.
When explorers and fur traders mapped land in the west and south, "Canada" grew. Land included in "Canada" encompassed what is now the American Midwest, and some land as far south as Louisiana.
In 1791, Canada became official with the naming of Upper and Lower Canada, they eventually amalgamated and became the Province of Canada.
On July 1st, 1867, the North America Act formed the Dominion of Canada which included New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec.
Trivia Eh?
Canada is the world's second largest country (Russian Federation is 1st)
Canada is comprised of 10 provinces and 3 territories
7.6% of Canada's land mass is actually lakes - there are over 2 million
Population is approximately 32 million - US population is approximately 273 million