Where in the World is Signal the Frog?
This year Signal the Frog, the mascot of Geocaching, is on a world tour. So far he has celebrated Germany's Donnerstagg with events all around the world. Today he is celebrating Canada day and what better way to mark Canada's birthday than to pay respect to our commonwealth cousins than with a hearty breakfast, the meal that made the Empire great!
Oh Canada!
On 1st July 1867, the colonies of Canada, Nova Scotia and New Brusnwick were joined together to form a single Dominion within the British Empire, to be known as Canada. The day was originally known as Dominion Day until it was renamed in 1982 and became Canada Day.
Seven Things you didn't know about Canada
- Canada is the second largest country in the world, right after Russia. However, Canada is the 8th least dense country in he world, with most people living in cities. If it weren’t for immigration, Canada’s population would probably be shrinking. Hurrah for Immigration!
- The Canadian Flag didn’t exist until 1965, and O Canada officially became the national anthem in 1980. Both being things we identify as Canadian and yet, they’re not even 60 years old!
- The name “Canada” comes from the word “Kanata” used by the Iroquois, a native American tribe who lived in Quebec in the 16th century. It means village or settlement. The French explorers mistakenly took the word to mean the name of the whole area, not just the village.
- Canada is a bilingual country with English and French being official languages. However, only New Brusnwick officiallyt the equal status of French and English. Manitoba and the 3 territories also officially recognize them (and in the latter case, other languages too) as well, but have limited services in official languages other than English. Quebec is the only all-French province. However, every province provides its people with services in the other language if needed.
- Step aside strange place names of the world. Canada is home to Pekwachnamaykoskwaskwaypinwanik – a lake in northeastern Manitoba. It’s name is Cree for “where the wild trout are caught by fishing with hooks."
- Wood Buffalo National Park is Canada's largest national park at 44,802 km². It straddles the border of Northern Alberta and southern Northwest Territories. It was created in 1922 to protect the world’s largest herd of roaming Wood Bison. This park is so large that it's bigger than the country of Switzerland (41,285 km²), the Netherlands (41,850 km²) and Bhutan (38,394 km²), among many others.
- You can drive straight across the country on the Trans-Canada highway (also known as Highway 1) which runs across 5 time zones and 10 provinces from Victoria, BC to St. John’s, NF. But what about the islands? There are three ferry routes that are a part of the highway as well. You know you’re on the highway by the white-on-green maple leaf route markers.