Canada’s provinces and territories

Canada is a federation of diverse provinces and territories.

The separate political divisions have their own personalities and unique atmospheres. Doing some research into Canada’s provinces and territories is advised as a good starting point when you’re looking to settle in Canada as a migrant.

Canada’s ten provinces are:


The three territories are:

Alberta

Alberta is the sixth largest of Canada's land areas and fourth largest in terms of population.

Capital: Edmonton

Largest city: Calgary

This province offers magnificent vistas of rolling prairies, farmlands, and the oil fields.

Major industries: Agriculture was the most important economic contribution until the recent past, when Alberta's petroleum industries boomed. Today Alberta is also home to many of Canada's corporate headquarters and boasts a diversity of lively businesses. Tourism is also important to Alberta's economy.

British Columbia

British Columbia is the fourth largest of Canada's land areas and third largest in terms of population.

Capital: Victoria

Largest city: Vancouver

British Columbia (BC) is made up almost exclusively of mountain terrain and it famous among outdoors enthusiasts.

Major industries: Lumbering is a principal industry, as well as pulp and paper mills. British Columbia has four national parks and attracts visitors for hunting and fishing. There are large mineral reserves in BC, making mining one of its largest industries.

Manitoba

Manitoba is the eighth largest of Canada's land areas and fifth largest in terms of population.

Capital and largest city: Winnipeg

Major industries: Traditionally, Manitoba has been a province known for its mining, lumbering and agriculture. More recently it has become a center for the IT industry and diverse manufacturing.

New Brunswick

New Brunswick is the eleventh largest of Canada's land areas and eighth largest in terms of population. Part of what was originally Acadia, one-third of New Brunswick’s population speaks French.

Capital: Fredericton

Largest city: Saint John

Major industries: Most of the land area is made up of forests, making lumbering a very important industry to New Brunswick. Manufacturing and fishing industries make important contributions to the economy, as do dairy farms and various crops.

Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland and Labrador comprise the tenth largest of Canada's land areas and ninth largest in terms of population.

Capital and largest city: St. John's

Major industries: These include fishing, forestry, manufacturing, energy and mining. This province supplies half of Canada's iron ore and also has large deposits of other mineral resources.

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia is the twelfth largest of Canada's land areas and seventh largest in terms of population.

Capital and largest city: Halifax

Major industries: These include manufacturing, mining, fishing, and agriculture. Tourism and technology industries also contribute to Nova Scotia's economy.

Ontario

Ontario is the fifth largest of Canada's land areas and most heavily populated.

Capital and largest city: Toronto

Major industries: Ontario is the most industrialised area of Canada, manufacturing a diverse assortment of high-demand goods. Agriculture, mining and forestry are also important.

Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island is the smallest of Canada's land areas and tenth largest in terms of population.

Capital and largest city: Charlottetown

Major industries: Agriculture and fishing are major industries, followed by tourism. The engineering and technology industries also contribute to PEI’s economy.

Québec

Québec is the second largest of Canada's land areas and second largest in terms of population. The official language of the province is French.

Capital: Québec City

Largest city: Montreal

Major industries: Montreal is the largest industrial area of Québec. The IT industry is growing rapidly, as are other technology fields.

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan is the seventh largest of Canada's land areas and sixth in population.

Capital: Regina

Largest city: Saskatoon

Major industries: Wheat is a major crop grown in Saskatchewan’s agricultural industry, along with other grains, while farming and dairying are also important. Oil and gas resources contribute to the economy, as does mining.

Northwest Territories

The Northwest Territories are the third largest of Canada's land areas and eleventh largest in terms of population.

Capital and largest city: Yellowknife

Major industries: The chief industry is mining. The Northwest Territories are rich in diamonds, gold and petroleum, as well as other minerals oils and gas.

Nunavut

Nunavut is the largest of Canada's land areas and the least populated.

Capital and largest city: Iqaluit

Major industries: Mining is a major industry in Nunavut, with diamonds, nickel and copper prevalent. Hunting and fishing also contribute to the territory’s economy.

Yukon

Yukon is the ninth largest of Canada’s land areas and, like Nunavut, is sparsely populated.

Capital and largest city: Whitehorse

Major industries: Mining is a major contributor to the Yukon’s economy, with its mountains full of gold, silver, copper, zinc and more. Due to the 19th century Yukon Gold Rush, tourism still plays an important part in the territory’s total economy.