История Канады
статья по английскому языку (10 класс) на тему

                                               Canada

Canada is a vast country, bigger than the United States, bigger than the continent of Australia. It is in fact one of the world’s largest countries as Canada extends for thousands of miles from the Arctic Ocean to the United States and from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, all kinds of weather conditions are to be found there.

The word Canada comes from one of the Red Indian languages- “Kanata”, meaning a number of huts. Canada is often called the “Land of Maple leaf”. The maple leaf is the national emblem of Canada.

Indians and Eskimos were the first settlers in Canada who came from Asia. Perhaps they crossed the narrow Bering Strait in boats. Some scientists say that they came when there was a land bridge between Asia and North America.

The Vikings came to North America about a thousand years ago. There are ruins of a Viking settlement in the northern part of Newfoundland.

After Christopher Columbus’s first voyage, the news of his discoveries reached many European countries. Kings and navigators began to dream of the riches just across the sea. One of these dreamers was also a very practical man. He was a sea captain named John Cabot. In 1497 he decided to cross the sea in a boat with his son and seventeen other men. When they saw land, about seven weeks later, they thought they had reached Asia. They returned home without gold. But during their voyage they found something equally valuable- fish by the millions in the shallow waters to the south of the island  of Newfoundland. John and Sebastian Cabot made several more voyages westward, but they  never discovered a water route to India. They did not  realize that they had been exploring a new continent.

Their stories about the rich fishing grounds to the south of Newfoundland interested many fishers from Western Europe. Fishing became the first important industry of Canada. It is still a valuable Canadian industry.

The French were the first settlers in this country. As far back as the 15 th century French explorers crossed the Atlantic, and sailed up the east coast of Canada. In the 17 th century several expeditions from France were sent out to explore the new country. This was the real beginning of  Canada. Colonists were then sent from mother country, and they built  several large French colonies. The history of the country during this period is the history of daring explorations, wars with the Indians, and struggles against Great Britain and the British colonies in the south. In 1759 France lost Canada. A battle was fought that ended France’s rule in Canada. Canada became a British colony. Later Canada was given its independence, but it remained part of the British Empire.

Today Canada is an independent  federative state,  consisting of 10 provinces and 3 territories. It is a member of the Commonwealth, headed by the Queen of Great Britain.

     Canada’s beginnings were French, and French is the language spoken today  by about one fifth of its people. Many settlers came to Canada from England, Scotland and Ireland, so  about two-thirds of the people of Canada speak only English. Today Canada has two national  languages, English and French.

   Ottawa is the capital city of Canada. It is located on the southern bank of the Ottawa River. Many interesting historical and cultural buildings are found in Ottawa, such as the Museum  of Natural History, Museum of Man, National Gallery and the National Arts Centre. However, the most important  buildings in Ottawa are the Parliament Buildings. Here the Canadian federal government discusses and makes laws for Canada.

   Ottawa has been called the Tulip City, because every spring the city comes alive with thousands of tulips from the Netherlands. Queen Juliana started sending 15,000 tulips a year to Ottawa in 1946 as a way of thanking the Canadian people for the time she spent in Ottawa with her daughters during World War ll.

                          Canada’s Place  Names.

The Yukon Territory takes its name from a native word meaning

“great river”.

British Columbia was named by Queen Victoria in 1858.

Alberta was named for Princess Caroline Alberta, the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria.

In 1870 the territory north –west of central Canada became part of the new country. I t was called North- West Territories.

Quebec takes its name from the Algonquian word meaning “where the river narrows”.

In 1503 Sir Humphrey Gilbert claimed “the new foundle lande” for England : Newfoundland.

Prince Edward Island  was named after Edward, the son of King George lll  of England.

Nova Scotia means “New Scotland” in Latin.

Sascatchewan is from a Cree word meaning “quickly moving river”.   Manitoba is probably  from the Cree word “maniton”, meaning “great spirit”.

Ontario is from an Iroquois word meaning “beautiful lake”.

New Brunswick was named for an area of Germany ruled by King  George lll of England. The area was called Brunswick- Lunenburg.