Tid Bits Of Info On The North American Continent

As Canadians geographically sandwiched between two large superpower neighbours we're often forgotten on the world stage especially when it comes to our neighbour to the south. The same is the case with Mexico and it's neighbour to the immediate North. While most people know both Canada and Mexico have been invaded and lost land to the United States few know much more than that, including our own citizens.Both Canada and Mexico tend to be in the background and when the world views the North American Continent most only refer to it as The United States. Citizens of a Superpower are very busy maintaining that status and often focus only on big competitors. As a result they often unintentionally overlook their average continent neighbours.The result being, individual citizens of each continent country, as well as the world have a vague and often incorrect continental view. Canadians have an historical example primarly in the past but still present today in their relationship with Past Superpower England. Mexico with past superpower Spain. The average English or Spanish citizen knew little about Canada or Mexico at the time and possibly not much more today. So I'll c lose this post and immediately transfer my post from the Earthquake thread and start the ball rolling --Geo.

 

When relating to the North American continent the immediate and many times only country brought to light is the United States. In actuality it occupies less than 40% of the continental territory. In decending order of the continents country land size after 1949 we have (Canada--United States-Mexico) Pre 1949( Canada-United States-Mexico- Newfoundland) In asending order of population(United States-Mexico-Canada) In order of military and economic power(United States--Canada -Mexico, although Canada and Mexico are very close militarly) In asending order of cost of living (Mexico--Canada -- United States) In decending order of the standard of living (Canada--United States --Mexico) Dominent languages(English--Spanish--French)( United States 90% english, 10% Spanish and growing thru increasing birthrate and immigration) (Canada 90% english 10% french and dying thru decreasing birthrate and immigration) (Mexico 95% Spanish 5% english and growing thru work opportunity speaking english) Raw resorse reserves decending order( Canada--United States--Mexico) Most valuable resorse(oil and fresh water supplies) in decending order (Canada--United States--Mexico) Energy consumption per capita asending order( Mexico--Canada--United States) Largest supplier of energy to the United States: Contrary to the belief that it is the middle east, Canada supplies over 50% of the United States thurst for oil along with millions of cubic feet of natural gas and multi megawatts of electric power mostly thru hydo generation. (oil primarly from Alberta and Newfoundland)(Hydo electric power primarly from Quebec-Newfoundland -Ontario in that order). Ok this is a good start--maybe someone else would like to add--Geo.

 

I appreciate my northern neighbors with whom I do business nearly every workday. As a fan of Ice Road Truckers, I know how brutal the working conditions are for those who supply those petroleum products. I drove a car for years that was built in Ontario. It was a Ford Falcon station wagon built, I think, in Windsor. Ever hear the NORAD Band perform? Canadian bacon is great. You can keep your polar bears and permafrost. The Land of Cain is a beautiful place, not for the weak.

 

Hoyt within your post there is another hidden fact excluding Alaska, geographically a fair chunk of the U.S. is actually north of a fair chunk of Canada, so whether we include Alaska or not there is no 100% truth to the common saying Canada is up north and the U.S. down south however it is possibly true that the territory of the United States is longer in miles than the country of Canada from north to south albeit not continious. (must check my globe on that one) There is a second tid bit in your post also- while automobiles are built in Canada, there is no Canadian owned automobile manufacturing company. Since Alaska was mentioned it is the largest and most easterly of those there United States while the most easterly of the Canadian provinces is Newfoundland.(just north of Maine) The two being seperated in an east west direction by approx.some 5000 miles on opposite sides of the Nort American continent. Go figure that one Geo.

Before closing this North American related post On this day--As a citizen of North America I want to express, my thoughts are with those who lost their lives and the grieving familys left behind on this sad aniversary. --Geo.

 

Well, let's see. The US has 312 million people. Canada has 34.5 million, and Mexico 112 million.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_population

The US produces 33% of global GDP. Canada produces 2.3%, and Mexico 2.0%.

http://www.scaruffi.com/politics/gnp.html

And of course, let's not forget the US spends almost as much on its military as the rest of the world put together.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_military_expenditures

I'm not offering any of those numbers up as an excuse for the US (or anyone else) to ignore or disdain Canada and Mexico. I'm just pointing out there may be reasons the world thinks of us first and foremost, when they think of North America. At the moment, we have much more of an impact on the global economy, balance of power, etc.

It could be fun to speculate about alternative histories, where the US absorbed Canada -- or absorbed the English-speaking provinces and let French Canada become an independent country. Or where we tried to hold onto all of Mexico after the Mexican War, instead of just the parts that already had a significant Anglo population...

Meanwhile, I think I can understand the frustration felt (by the Canadians, especially) when the rest of North America is unjustly and inaccurately considered an afterthought or an asterisk to the US.

 

2000,

Your complete lack of modesty indicates you may have completely missed the point.

Geo,

I'm with you on this 10th anniversary, well put.

-Tom

 

Lack of modesty??? Missing the point??? What point did I miss?

I'm not taking any credit for the fact that the US happens to be the dog on the block that gets most of the attention when it barks. I was discussing the reasons for that simple reality -- and sympathizing with Canadians who quite reasonably feel their country is being unjustly overshadowed and slighted.

Do you understand the difference between bragging, and giving an honest analysis of the situation as I see it? Trust me, son.... I'm not that hard up for an ego boost. Maybe you should read my entire post -- or reread it, if you actually read the whole thing to begin with. Because you're the one who seems to have missed the entire point of what I was saying....

 

OK, fellow Laurentians, let's try to get along.

 

Troy good facts-- and guys lets not start that 1812 stale mate over again this is just a thread to pass on to the world some info on our North American countries. My past allows me the fortune of being in an open minded position to have started this thread. I was not born a citizen of either country--I started my life as a citizen of the country of Newfoundland who had closer ties with the U.S. than Canada, being the origional New England Colony. Next I became by a very close margin U.S.-- Canada--remain Independant-- a citizen of Canada and heres the kicker grew up on the largest military base in my new country of Canada, that base being a U.S. SAC base Earnest Harmon Air Force Base in Stephenville NFLD. whose exposure drove me to join the RCAF(Royal Canadian Air Force)The only country i've not been exposed to is Mexico, however I've been to TJ a couple of times in the old safe days of the 60's While on the subject of Mexico it is the oldest country of our North American Family and contains the largest city within. Of all our countries it had the most advanced civilization,metal working, written language,most advanced stone construction techniques in the world, plus was the most powerful militarily when Europeans first walked upon these shores. Today it's people are possibly the most, humble-friendliest and hardworking and definately the most artistic of all our peoples.

 

Its a shame that articles from Foreign Affairs Magazine are copyright protected and not available to link to on the net. Many revealing insights into Canadian society and its challenges as a nation..

http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0005637

 

Good article Michael--Just skimmed it but will read in detail - One item i did spotted the Acadian Expulsion sub article. I have problems with the constant one sided view of that affair the British were well within their rights militarily and were left no choice: but please if anyone wishes to debate this start another thread and I will gladly do so. Lets keep on track with the subject at hand and learn more about our great part of the world--Geo.

 

LOL

I rest my case 2000.

-Tom

 

Tom thank you for the compliment and compassion i know you also felt on the anniversary of 911-- we all lost fellow citizens on that tragic event and if there is a silver lining it made us aware as much as we think we are independanrt countries we all really are, citizens of North America. --Geo

 

I visited New Brunswick and PEI this summer on vacation. Had a great time checking things out and eating lots of local fish and produce. I also went to Montreal a couple years back.

One thing that struck me about Canada each time I visited was, "why isn't the USA like this?" What I mean is, why are so many people so poor in the USA while nearly everyone in Canada seems to be comfortable, financially?

Is it that you guys have so many resources for so few people? Still have a middle class? What is it? I never saw any low income slums like we have in the States.

 

Lakefront property is getting so inflated in the USA that canada is starting to look more attractive to me too.