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Every year, thousands of people from all over
the world come to Canada to start a new life. They come with many
different skills and the hope of contributing to Canadian society.
Perhaps you are getting to know a French family as part of the HOST
Program, learning about France in school or working with French people.
This website will help you find out more about French people and
what life is like in France.
Canada's ties with France go back to the 16th
century. Jacques Cartier and Samuel de Champlain explored northern
North America and claimed it for the French king. For many years,
Eastern Canada was known as New France. Today, 23% of Canada's
population is of French origin. French is one of the two official
languages of Canada. |
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Canada's French population includes both recent
immigrants from France and the descendants of families that settled in
Canada 500 years ago. There are sizable French communities in Québec,
New Brunswick, Northern Ontario and Manitoba. Montréal is the
largest French-speaking city in the world outside France. French-speaking
Canada is the second largest member of La Francophonie, the world
organization of French-speaking nations.
Although this cultural profile provides insight
into some customs, it does not cover all facets of life. The customs
described may not apply in equal measure to all immigrants from France. |
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Did you know? |
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St. Pierre and Miquelon are the only remaining French
territories in North America. These two small islands are located off the
south coast of Newfoundland.
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Summary Fact Sheet |
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| Official Name |
République française |
| Capital |
Paris |
| Type of Government |
Republic |
| Population |
59.3 million |
| Area |
547,000 sq. km |
| Major Ethnic Groups |
French, other European, African, Southeast Asian |
| Language |
French |
| Religions |
Roman Catholicism, Islam, Protestantism, Judaism |
| Unit of Currency |
French Franc, Euro |
| National Flag |
Three equal vertical stripes of blue, white and red |
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Did you know? |
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The motto of the French Republic is "Liberté,
Égalité, Fraternité," which means "Liberty, Equality,
Fraternity."
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