| Canada |
Geographic location
The geography of Canada is vast and diverse. Occupying most of the northern portion of North America (41% of the continent), Canada is the world's second largest country in total area after Russia.
Canada spans an immense territory between the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Arctic Ocean to the north (hence the country's motto "From sea to sea"), with the United States to the south and northwest, and the Arctic Ocean to the north; Greenland is to the northeast. Off the southern coast of Newfoundland lies Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, an overseas collectivity of France. Canada is slightly less than three-fifths as large as Russia, nearly 1.2 times larger than Australia, slightly larger than Europe, and more than 40 times larger than the UK. In total area, Canada is slightly larger than both the U.S. and China;
Province and Territories
The major difference between a Canadian province and a territory is that provinces are jurisdictions that receive their power and authority directly from the Constitution Act, 1867, whereas territories derive their mandates and powers from the federal government.
Time Zone
Canada uses six primary time zones. From east to west they are Newfoundland Time Zone, Atlantic Time Zone, Eastern Time, Central Time Zone, Mountain Time Zone, and the Pacific Time Zone.
In most of Canada Daylight Saving Time begins at 2:00 a.m. local time on the second Sunday in March. On the first Sunday in November areas on Daylight Saving Time return to Standard Time at 2:00 a.m. During Daylight Saving Time turn your clocks ahead one hour.
In Newfoundland and Labrador Daylight Saving Time begins one minute after midnight (12:01 a.m.) local time on the second Sunday in March. On the first Sunday in November areas on Daylight Saving Time return to Standard Time at one minute after midnight (12:01 a.m.) local time.
The names in each time zone change along with Daylight Saving Time. Eastern Standard Time (EST) becomes Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), and so forth. Some areas of Canada not using Daylight Saving Time include, Fort St. John, Charlie Lake, Taylor and Dawson Creek in British Columbia, Creston in the East Kootenays, and most of Saskatchewan (except Denare Beach and Creighton).
Previously, Canada had observed Daylight Saving Time from the first Sunday in April until thelast Sunday in October. However, through legislation passed in 2006, Daylight Saving Time will begin three weeks earlier on the second Sunday in March and end on the first Sunday in November.
Population
Canada has the highest per capita immigration rate in the world, driven by economic policy and family reunification; Canada also accepts large number of refugees. In 2009, between 240,000 and 265,000 new migrants are expected to arrive in Canada. Canadian population has reached 31,592,805 people as on July 2008
History
In Canada, 'Indians' are known as 'Aboriginal People', 'Native People', or 'People of the First Nations'.
Current archaeological evidence indicates that Natives first arrived in North America 40,000 years BCE (Before the Common Era) by crossing a land bridge which had formed between Asia and Alaska during the latest Ice Age.
In 1535, two Indian Youths told Jacques Cartier about the route to "kanata." They were referring to the village of Stadacona; "kanata" was simply the Huron-Iroquois word for "village" or "settlement." But for want of another name, Cartier used "Canada" to refer not only to Stadacona (the site of present day Quebec City), but also to the entire area subject to its chief, Donnacona. The name was soon applied to a much larger area: maps in 1547 designated everything north of the St. Lawrence River as "Canada."
Cartier also called the St. Lawrence River the "rivière de Canada", a name used until the early 1600s. By 1616, although the entire region was known as New France, the area along the great river of Canada and the Gulf of St. Lawrence was still called Canada.
Soon explorers and fur traders opened up territory to the west and to the south and the area depicted as "Canada" grew. In the early 1700s, the name referred to all lands in what is now the American Midwest and as far south as the present day Louisiana.
The first use of "Canada" as an official name came in 1791 when the Province of Quebec was divided into the colonies of Upper and Lower Canada. In 1841, the two Canada’s were again united under one name, the Province of Canada. At the time of Confederation, the new country assumed the name of Canada.
NEWS
Media, entertainment and artistic endeavours are well developed in Canada. Canada's highly sophisticated broadcasting system includes more than 1,000 AM and FM radio stations and some 719 television stations to serve, entertain and educate the listening and viewing audience.
The most authoritative news in Canada featuring articles from The Globe and Mail, breaking news coverage, national news, international news, sports, weather, Report on Business.
Sports
The sporting culture of Canada is different from that of many other countries. Compared to any other nation, Canadians prefer a unique set of sports that are all home grown — namely football, basketball, baseball, and ice hockey. In Canada, football means Canadian football or what is sometimes called gridiron around the world.
Other popular team sports include curling, street hockey, cricket, rugby, Association football and softball. Cricket is the fastest growing sport in Canada currently. Popular individual sports include auto racing, boxing, cycling, golf, hiking, horse racing, ice skating, rodeo, skateboarding, skiing, snowboarding, swimming, tennis, triathlon, track and field, water sports, and wrestling. As a country with a generally cool climate, Canada has enjoyed greater success at the Winter Olympics than at the Summer Olympics, although significant regional variations in climate allow for a wide variety of both team and individual sports. Major upcoming multi-sport events in Canada include the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Language
A multitude of languages are spoken in Canada. According to the 2006 census, English and French are the preferred language of 67.1% and 21.5%, respectively. English and French are recognized by the Constitution of Canada as "official languages," which means that all laws of the federal government are enacted in both English and French and that federal government services are required to be available in both languages.
The five most widely-spoken non-official languages are Chinese (the home language of 2.6% of Canadians), Punjabi (0.9%), Spanish (0.7%), Italian (0.6%), and Dutch (0.6%). Aboriginal languages, many of which are unique to Canada, are spoken by less than one percent of the population, and are mostly in decline.
Culture
Culture is the soul of the people. It varies from area to area in a country as big as Canada but through a national review of themselves, Canadians develop a recognition of symbols, likes, dislikes, events, traditions and just living life everyday, which come to strike a common chord among most. This might be the music, the art, TV shows that are uniquely Canadian, ways of doing business, dealing with tough weather or a simple preference for certain types of food. These things and more all make up the culture of a country
Landmark
Canada is one of the top ten destinations favoured by international travellers - with cities like Vancouver, Toronto, Edmonton, Calgary, Montreal and Halifax it is easy to see why. Desired mainly for the breathtaking scenery and the famous hospitality of Canadians, Canada has more to offer than you would imagine.
Canada's best known tourist attractions: CN Tower -- Canada Olympic Park -- West Edmonton Mall -- Vancouver Aquarium -- Montréal Olympic Stadium -- Skylon Tower -- Pier 21 -- H.R. MacMillan Space Centre.
Natural resources
Canada's abundance of natural resources is reflected in their continued importance in the economy of Canada. Major resource-based industries are fisheries, forestry, agriculture, petroleum products and mining.s
Canada Studies
Academic credentials valued the world over, an education and cultural experience to prepare you for life and a diverse, welcoming and vibrant society are just few of the reasons...
Canadian students consistently rank among the best in world on international tests of reading, science and mathematics such as the OECD's Programme for International Student Assessment - a testament to the outstanding quality of Canadian schools. A Canadian degree, diploma or certificate is recognized globally as being equivalent to those from the United States and Commonwealth countries.
Canada is an international leader in computer and information technologies and has a reputation for excellence in such sectors as telecommunications, transportation and engineering and specifically, aerospace, urban transport, microelectronics, medical devices, advanced software, hydroelectric and nuclear power, lasers and optoelectronics, biotechnology, and ocean and environmental industries. Canada was also among the first in the world to connect schools and libraries to the Internet.
International students who have graduated from a Canadian university or college have the opportunity to work in Canada for up to one year after they receive their degree or diploma. International students can work on campus with a work permit.
Admission Procedure
Documents Required For Admission
Completed Application form
Essay/s or writing sample
Statement of Purpose required for graduates and optional for undergraduates
Resume for MBA Students
Official score reports of SAT/TOEFL/GRE/GMAT to be sent by ETS
Letter from Bank stating - funds available for study
Affidavit of Financial Support i.e. letter signed from sponsor or parent
Two/Three Recommendation Letters from Professors or Employer
Transcripts and Mark sheets from College or University
Certificates of Extracurricular Activities
International students are required to obtain a Study Permit for Canada. Allow at least two months for Visa Procedure
your visa to be processed.
Study Permit Application form.
Personal Information Form for students and post-doctoral researchers.
Letter of acceptance from University or College or Technical Institute.
Certificate of Acceptance from the province of Quebec (Only if you plan to study in Quebec)
TOEFL / IELTS score, if applicable
Passport, valid for at least one year, from the proposed date of entry into Canada.
Copies of Academic Mark sheets and Certificates
Work Experience Certificates, if applicable.
Proof of payment of fees, if applicable y
Proof of Funds - Applicants must demonstrate that they have sufficient liquid assets to pay the tuition fees, living expenses and travelling cost.
Letter from the sponsor
Income Tax Papers of the sponsor
INTERVIEW
The student may be called for an Interview, if required. If this is the case, you will be advised the time and place for the interview.
MEDICAL EXAMINATION
The Canadian High Commission - New Delhi will issue medical instructions. Students must pass a medical examination from a Panel Doctor only.