Chapter13 Canada Today
》》Key Words
■national flag
■anthem
■geographic and physiographic features
■climate
■population
■ethnicity and race
■religion
■cities
■education
National flag of Canada
Canada is the world’s second largest country，after Russia.Its territory covers roughly two⁃fifths of the North American continent，totaling about 10 million square kilometers in area.Ottawa is its national capital.The national flag features a stylized red maple leaf with 11 points on a white background，with red borders down each side.The red borders symbolize the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean that lie off the country’s west and east coasts.The white background symbolizes the vastness of the country’s territory.
Canada’s national anthem is“O，Canada”，which was composed by Calixa Lavalée in 1880.The lyrics are as follows：
O，Canada!Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise，
The true north，strong and free!
From far and wide，O，Canada，
We stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O，Canada，we stand on guard for thee.
O，Canada，we stand on guard for thee.