Canada and United States are two of the largest countries in the world. They are friendly neighbor states and share a large border. The worlds largest waterfall, Niagara Falls, is also on the border of the two countries.

While both countries are democracies, their style of government is different. French and English are the official languages in Canada while in the U.S., English is the official language. Many government services in the U.S. are also provided in Spanish because of its large Hispanic population.

Comparison chart

Canada versus United States comparison chart
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CanadaUnited States
Currency Canadian Dollar ($) (CAD) United States Dollar ($) (USD)
Time zone (UTC-3.5 to -8) (UTC−5 to −10)
Calling code +1 +1
Government Parliamentary democracy (federal constitutional monarchy) Federal presidential constitutional republic
Demonym Canadian American
Capital Ottawa, Ontario Washington, D.C.
Monarch King Charles III None
Drives on the Right Right
Official languages Canadian English, Canadian French None
Introduction (from Wikipedia) Canada (IPA: /ˈkænədə/) is a country occupying most of northern North America, extending from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west and northward into the Arctic Ocean. The United States of America, commonly referred to as the United States, America, and sometimes the States, is a federal republic consisting of 50 states and a federal district. The 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C.
National Anthem God Save the Queen (Royal Anthem), O Canada (National Anthem) Star-Spangled Banner
National language English, French (Official) English (De Facto)
Largest city Toronto (2.8 M) - Metro Area app. 6 Million New York City (8.538 M) - Metro Area 19 - 20 Million
Date formats DD/MM/YY MM/DD/YYYY
Internet TLD .ca .us .gov .mil .edu
Population 38,142,273 (38th) 329.5 million (2020 census)
Measurement system Metric / Imperial (legacy) Customary
Continent North America North America
International abbreviation CA USA
Legislature Parliament of Canada Congress of the United States of America
Religions Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism Christianity, Islam, Judaism
President None Donald Trump
Flag Colors Red and white Red, blue and white
Official Name Canada The United States of America (USA)
Literacy rate 99% 99%
National Animal Beaver Bald Eagle
Regional Divisions 10 Provinces and 3 Territories 56 political divisions (50 States, 1 Federal District, and 5 major overseas territories)
Life expectancy 82 79
Christian population (%) 67.3% 72%
Upper House Senate Senate
Space Organisation Canadian Space Agency NASA
Preceded by British Canada Thirteen Colonies
Intelligence Agencies Canadian Security Intelligence Service or CSIS Central Intelligence Agencies or CIA
Independence Confederation July 1st, 1867; 1931 Statute of Westminster (From British Empire to Commonwealth Nation) from Great Britain (July 4, 1776)
Language(s) English, French English (De Facto), Spanish
Current constitution Adopted and made active on 1867 (authority Parliament of Great Britain) - Constitution Act 1982 (Canada gains total sovereignty) BNA adopted on 17 September 1787 and made active on 4 March 1789 - CA signed off by Queen Elizabeth on April 17, 1982
Lower House House of Commons House Of Representatives
Most used language English English
Highest Point Mount Logan, 5,959 m (19,551 ft) Mt. McKinley 6,914m (20,308 ft)
Head of State King Charles III Joe Biden
Description of Flag Red and White. Red Maple Leaf in the centre Red and white stripes, and 50 white stars on a blue background on the upper left corner.
Lowest point Atlantic Ocean, Sea Level Badwater Basin (−85.5 m)
Flag The Maple Leaf - February 15, 1965 Star Spangled Banner, Old Glory
Written Language Canadian English, Canadian / Quebec French English
Motto A Mari Usque Ad Mare (Latin for "From Sea to Sea") In God We Trust
Political Leader Justin Trudeau Joe Biden
Tallest Building CN Tower (446.5 m) 1,464.9 ft. One World Trade Center (541.3 m) 1776 ft.
Department of defense Department of National Defence U.S. Department of Defense and Homeland Security
Urban population (%) 80% 82%
Speaker of the House The Hon. Andrew Scheer, M.P. Mike Johnson
Navy Royal Canadian Navy U. S. Department of the Navy, U. S. Department of the Marine Corps, U. S. Department of the Coast Guard
Army Canadian Army U.S. Department of the Army
Current Leader Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister) Joe Biden (President)
Air Force Royal Canadian Air Force U.S. Department of the Air Force
Official script Latin/Roman Latin/Roman
Muslim population (%) 3.2% 1.3%
Independence : Recognized July 1, 1867 (Canada created subject to British law - British North America Act) September 3, 1783
Special Forces CANSOFCOM US Special Operations Command , (not naming groups, tasks, or training)
Languages English, French (mainly in Quebec) English
Recognized regional languages Inuktitut, Inuinnaqtun, Dëne Sųłiné, Cree, Gwich’in, Hän, Inuvialuktun, Slavey, Tłįchǫ Yatiì Navajo, Central Alaskan Yup'ik, Dakota, Western Apache, Keres, Cherokee, Zuni, Ojibwe, O'odham
Area 9,984,670 km² (2nd) 3,854,085 sq mi 9,857,348 km²
Hindu population (%) 1.5% 0.4%
General political conditions It is a democratic independent nation that is part of the Commonwealth of Nations thus has close ties to the United Kingdom. Over time, the United States has become Canada's major international relation. It is an independent nation, a republic.
Buddhist population 1.1% 0.7%
Nobel laureates 25 331
Flag Nickname The Maple Leaf Star-Spangled Banner
Total length of land border 8,893 km 12, 034 kms
Total internet users 85.8%% 254,295,536 (81%)
Weather agencies Environment and Climate Change Canada National Weather Service
Biggest Company Shopify Walmart

American

Both Canada and USA are in the continent of North America. But the epithet "American" usually applies to people and products from the U.S. Likewise "America" usually refers to the US.

Portrayal of Canadians in the U.S.

American sitcoms usually poke fun at their neighbor (e.g. "Oh honey, Canadians don't matter" in That 70s Show) and often portray a stereotype of Canadians as polite people who are passionate about hockey.

Portrayal of Americans in Canada

Canadian television often portrays Americans as loud, opinionated people with a limited knowledge of things outside the U.S. Rick Mercer's Talking to Americans included Governor Mike Huckabee believing that Canada was building a dome over its "National Igloo" to protect it from global warming.

American film can also portray Americans this way. Canadian Bacon, an American film, had John Candy's character say "There is a time for thinking and a time for action and this, gentlemen, is no time to think," when debating whether to initiate an attack.

Sports

Football, baseball and basketball are the most popular sports in the U.S. while ice hockey is the most popular Canadian sport.

Video Explaining the Differences

Below is a comical look at the differences between Canadians and Americans.

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