Canada’s wild side is full of surprises. From coast to coast, this huge country is home to some of the coolest animals and most amazing natural wonders.
In this article, you’ll discover 17 facts about Canada that show how special and diverse Canada’s environment really is.
1. Canada’s Glowing Waters
Did you know some Canadian waters glow in the dark? This amazing sight happens because of tiny sea creatures called dinoflagellates. When these little guys get disturbed, they light up like fireflies in the water. You can see this cool light show in places like Jervis Inlet in British Columbia.
2. Singing Sands of Prince Edward Island
Imagine sand that makes music when you walk on it. That’s exactly what you’ll find on some beaches in Prince Edward Island. The sand here squeaks or “sings” when you step on it. This happens because of how the sand grains rub against each other.
3. Canada’s Magnetic Mountain
There’s a hill in Moncton, New Brunswick, that seems to defy gravity. Cars appear to roll uphill all by themselves on this strange road. It’s called Magnetic Hill, but it’s actually just a really cool optical illusion. Your eyes trick you into thinking you’re going uphill when you’re really going down.
4. The Northern Lights Dance Party
The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, put on a fantastic light show in Canada’s north. These colorful lights dance in greens, pinks, and purples across the night sky. They’re caused by particles from the sun hitting Earth’s atmosphere. The best places to see them are in the Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.
5. Canada’s Upside-Down Waterfall
In the Nahanni National Park Reserve, there’s a waterfall that sometimes flows upwards. It’s called Virginia Falls, and it’s taller than Niagara Falls. When the wind is strong enough, it can push the water back up, creating a misty spray that seems to defy gravity.
6. The World’s Largest Tide
The Bay of Fundy has the biggest tides on Earth. Twice a day, the water level changes by up to 16 meters. That’s as high as a four-story building! This creates some really cool sights, like the Hopewell Rocks in New Brunswick. At low tide, you can walk on the ocean floor. At high tide, you can kayak around the same rocks!
7. The Mysterious Lake Monster
Ogopogo is Canada’s version of the Loch Ness Monster. People say this creature lives in Okanagan Lake in British Columbia. Descriptions of Ogopogo vary, but many say it looks like a giant snake. While there’s no proof it exists, the legend has been around for centuries.
8. The Frozen Bubbles of Abraham Lake
In winter, Abraham Lake in Alberta becomes a photographer’s dream. The lake freezes with thousands of bubbles trapped inside the ice. These bubbles are actually pockets of methane gas from plants decomposing at the bottom of the lake. When the lake freezes, the bubbles get stuck.
9. Canada’s Smoking Hills
On the coast of the Northwest Territories, there are hills that have been smoking for centuries. These are the Smoking Hills, and they’re not volcanoes. The smoke comes from underground oil shale deposits that are always burning. These hills have been smoking since before Europeans came to North America.
10. The Crooked Bush of Saskatchewan
Near Hafford, Saskatchewan, there’s a group of aspen trees that grow in twisted loops. Nobody knows exactly why these trees grow this way. Some think it’s because of a genetic mutation. Others believe it’s caused by something in the soil. Whatever the reason, it looks like someone bent all the trees into crazy shapes.
11. The Reversing Falls of Saint John
In Saint John, New Brunswick, there’s a waterfall that changes direction twice a day. This happens because of the huge tides in the Bay of Fundy. When the tide is low, the falls flow one way. When the tide is high, they flow the other way.
12. Canada’s Pink Lake
In Gatineau Park, Quebec, there’s a lake that looks bright pink in the summer. But it’s not because of any unique minerals or algae. The lake is full of tiny dead creatures that reflect light in a way that makes the water look pink. The lake is actually green most of the time.
13. The Badlands Hoodoos
In Alberta’s Badlands, you can find strange rock formations called hoodoos. These tall, thin spires of rock look like giant mushrooms or weird chimneys. They’re formed over millions of years by wind and rain eroding the softer rock. Some Indigenous legends say hoodoos are petrified giants.
14. The Living Glacier of Nunavut
In Nunavut, there’s a glacier that’s alive in a way. The Barnes Ice Cap is a leftover piece of the last Ice Age. It’s slowly melting, but it’s also growing in some parts. Scientists say it’s “breathing” as it changes shape. This glacier has been around for over 20,000 years.
15. Canada’s Bioluminescent Bay
Imagine a bay that lights up at night like it’s full of stars. That’s what you’ll see at Indian Arm in British Columbia. Tiny creatures in the water glow when they’re disturbed. If you go kayaking here at night, you’ll see blue lights in the water with every paddle stroke.
16. The Sleeping Giant of Thunder Bay
Near Thunder Bay, Ontario, there’s an island that looks like a giant lying down. It’s called the Sleeping Giant and part of a provincial park. From far away, the cliffs of the island look just like a person sleeping on their back. Indigenous legends say it’s a giant turned to stone.
17. Canada’s Rainbow-Colored River
The Cano Cristales river in Colombia isn’t the only colorful river in the world. Canada has its own in Jasper National Park, Alberta. The Athabasca River turns a bright turquoise color in summer. This happens because of tiny rock particles in the water. When sunlight hits these particles, it makes the water look like a flowing rainbow!
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