Canada is a country in North America consisting of 10 provinces and 3 territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic to the Pacific and northward into the Arctic Ocean. At 9.98 million square kilometers in total, Canada is the world’s second-largest country by total area, and its common border with the United States is the world’s longest land border shared by the same two countries.
Canada is a federal parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy, with Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state. The country is officially bilingual at the federal level. It is one of the world’s most ethnically diverse and multicultural nations, the product of large-scale immigration from many countries, with a population of approximately 35 million as of December 2012. Its advanced economy is one of the largest in the world, relying chiefly upon its abundant natural resources and well-developed trade networks. Canada’s long and complex relationship with the United States has had a significant impact on its economy and culture.
Canada is a developed country and one of the wealthiest in the world, with the eighth highest per capita income globally, and the eleventh highest ranking in the Human Development Index. It ranks among the highest in international measurements of education, government transparency, civil liberties, quality of life, and economic freedom. Canada is a recognized middle power and a member of G7, G8, G10, G20, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, NATO, North American Free Trade Agreement, Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), World Trade Organization, Uniting for Consensus, Commonwealth of Nations, Francophonie, Organization of American States, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, and the United Nations.
Canada is one of the few countries in the Western World that is actively looking for immigrants. Not only is it easier to immigrate to Canada than to other lands of opportunity, it is also probably one of the most attractive countries in which to live. The United Nations recently named Canada one of best places to live in the World. The Economist has ranked Vancouver as the best city to live for four years in a row. What makes Canada so attractive?
- Canada has one of the highest life expectancies in the world.
- It is a safe place to live.
- It is very prosperous.
- It has wide open spaces and spectacular scenery.
- There is an excellent health care system.
Opportunities abound for those who wish to make their home in Canada. Independent immigration to Canada through the points system is relatively straightforward. The overall Canada visa requirement has been reduced to 67 points. This will greatly increase the number of people who can come under the skilled worker immigration category. Moving to Canada has become easier in this sense.
All said and explained in this article does not constitute a legal opinion and does not replace legal advice. Responsibility for using the wordings and opinions conveyed in this article relies solely and entirely on the reader.
This article was written by Dotan Cohen Law Offices, working in the field of immigration law in the United States, Canada, Australia and England.
