Canada uses the Canadian dollar as its official currency. Similar to all of the currencies that use the dollar, the Canadian dollar is divided into 100 cents.
In order to differentiate the Canadian dollar from the US dollar, it is usually denoted by the letters C$. This recognises the currency as originating from Canada.
The Canadian dollar is issued in the following denominations:
1,5,10, 25, 50 cent pieces, that are all coins. The $1 and $2 are also issued as coins.
The dollar is issued in notes as, $5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 notes. A $1,000 note was issued, but since the year 2000 it has basically been withdrawn, to try to prevent money laundering.
$1 and $2 notes are not in circulation, but they are recognised as being legal tender and they can be used and should be accepted.
Canada was first inhabited by native people, but gradually Canada became explored and then settled by people from all over the world.
Canada also quickly established itself as a trading post. In order to trade, people used various things to barter.
These included fur pelts as well as copper shields.
By the early 17th century, there was a desperate need for currency. This continued throughout the 17th century and indeed, by the end of this century, people were so desperate for currency that they even used playing cards as an informal means of having a currency.
The authorities banned the use of playing cards in the early 18th century.
Coins were in circulation and in 1721, coins as currency were issued by one of the fur trading companies. Other forms of currency were also issued during this century.
The lack of a comprehensive currency for Canada continued up until the early part of the 19th century. At this point, banks began to issue and circulate their own currencies.
It was not until the year 1858 that the first Canadian dollars were introduced. This had come about because Canada was trading extensively with United States and the United States had a decimal currency, whereas Canada did not.
It then decided that the introduction of a dollar system, would mean that it could trade effectively and efficiently with the United States and the rest of the world. And so the Canadian dollar was born and has survived up till the present day.
However, it was not until the year 1908 that Canada produced coins in Canada itself. The construction of the Royal mint in Ottowa changed all that and Canada became a country that produced, issued and circulated its own currency.
Because Canada is such an advanced country it is relatively easy to get hold of Canadian dollars.
Similar to its neighbour, the United States, Canada has an extensive and very comprehensive network of ATM machines. They are prevalent everywhere in the country and you will not have a problem making use of your credit or debit card. The only thing that you do need to do, before you travel to Canada is to notify your card provider that your card will be used in Canada. Sometimes, if your card is used abroad, your card provider may regard this as suspicious activity and consequently put a stop on your card, so that it can no longer be used. Since this would cause you major inconvenience, it is better to notify your card provider of your intentions before you leave the country. Whilst this may seem like a chore, it really can save time in the longer term.
Credit cards are very popular in Canada and they are used extensively, so you will not have a problem with using your credit card.
One thing you may find when you use your credit or debit card, is that you actually get a better rate of exchange, because you get the exchange rate, that exists on the day you make a withdrawal.
If you do want to take cash with you, this can be exchanged at any bank.
You will also find that US currency can be used throughout Canada, but you may get a poor exchange rate for your money. So you are better to pay with Canadian dollars and in this way your dollars should stretch just a bit more.
Traveller's cheques are also accepted, but they are not as convenient as using an ATM machine.
Generally, Canada is a very safe country and there are no significant crime problems. Even in the larger cities, you will still be quite safe and violent crime is extremely rare and petty crime rates are also quite low.
Pickpocketing and purse snatching does go on, but it really is not that common and so if you take some basic precautions and exercise some due care and attention with regard to your valuables, then you should have no problems at all.
Crimes that involve thefts from cars are on the rise, so make sure that if you rent a car, you do not leave any valuables on display. If you do, the car may be broken into. Since you will have a rental car, this will cause a lot of problems and create all kinds of paperwork, so it really isn't worth taking the risk. Just lock up all your valuables.
Canada offers quite good value for money. Whilst it may not be an incredibly cheap country to visit, when compared to the United Kingdom it is substantially cheaper and since the pound continues to be strong against other currencies, it offers even better value for money.
The big cities can be expensive in terms of eating and drinking, but there are more obviously more facilities and more things to do and see in the cities.
Due to the fact that Canada is such a large country and parts of it have been under French and or British rule, it is not one culture and country, but rather a melting pot of various cultures and races.
Sometimes, the sheer size of Canada is underestimated. This is actually the second biggest country in the world. The only country bigger than Canada is Russia, which gives an indication of its size.
It is an extremely popular tourist destination and it has all the facilities that you would expect in the modern and sophisticated world of North America in the 21st century.
Canada has an intriguing blend of cities and then vast areas of open countryside, lakes, mountains and some fantastic wildlife. It has the sea, even though at a very northern level and it carries right on up to Greenland. This means that it really can offer something for everyone.
Skiing is quite popular in Canada and some of the ski resorts are extremely busy, but the scenery in these places is amazing and very dramatic. The mountains are almost breathtaking.
Lakes in Canada are world famous and it has to be said, quite rightly so, for their sheer beauty and wildlife.
The main problem with Canada, is that no matter how long you stay, you will never see it all. You will only catch glimpses of Canada and Canadian life. Even many Canadians have never seen all of the country, simply because it is just so vast.
It makes sense therefore that before you visit Canada, you should do a little research and find out a little about the country, to help you decide which areas you want to visit and which should be at the top of your 'To See ' list. The list may be quite long, so you may only see the top 10!
Many people like to visit the region of Quebec, which is still a French-speaking area and is extremely diverse in terms of its population. The French-speaking areas in Canada offer a chance to see French culture and North American culture, in the same country. Somehow the two seem to have blended and the best of both cultures has been taken and shaped into a very dynamic and energetic culture.
The Lakes are also very popular with tourists, but due to the fact that they are such tourist hotspots, you will find that they can be more expensive in terms of accommodation and eating/drinking and so on. If money is limited, it may be worth considering finding accommodation that is not directly on the tourist trail. The further away you can stay from the Lakes themselves and just commute in, the cheaper you will find the hotels. This also applies to restaurants and pubs or bars.
Finally, you should never come to Canada and avoid the opportunity to see the Rocky Mountains or even Niagara Falls. These two natural spectacles are simply out of this world. Even the most well travelled and jaded traveller, cannot fail to be amazed by the sight of the Rocky Mountains. Niagara Falls will simply leave you breathless. Again, these can be quite expensive areas, simply because so many tourists visit these places every year. They can also be quite busy and Niagara Falls in particular, is usually mobbed by people from all over the world, but it is still well worth making the trip. The memories will last a lifetime.
Canada is a wealthy country and a very diverse country. Yet it also seems like a very mature country, that is extremely tolerant of all people and their cultures. This gives Canada an air of worldly wise sophistication that is sadly lacking in many other countries.
Although Canada only shares a border with the United States, it is very different from the United States. It is also very proud of the differences.
That is not to say that there is animosity between Canada and United States, there is merely an acknowledgement that they share many things in common: but they are also quite different and they respect this.
People often talk about the Canadian culture, but there is no one culture, just different aspects of cultures which have all been shaped and resulted in a very tolerant and respectful society and one that could teach much to the rest of the world: despite the fact that it once used playing cards for currency!