Canada Province Map

Explore the political map of Canada showing all the all the 10 provinces and 3 territories of Canada. It is divided into ten provinces, each with its own unique characteristics and government. Ontario is the most populous province, while Quebec is the largest by area. British Columbia, known for its stunning landscapes, borders the Pacific Ocean. Alberta is rich in natural resources, including oil and gas. Saskatchewan and Manitoba are major agricultural hubs. The Atlantic provinces, comprising New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador, are steeped in maritime history. These regions collectively contribute to Canada's diverse culture and economy.

Provinces and territories of Canada

Canada is divided into ten provinces and three territories, each with its own unique characteristics and governance. The provinces include Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Saskatchewan. These provinces have more autonomy from the federal government compared to the three territories, which are Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon, and have a different governance structure where they derive their powers from the federal government.

Alberta is well-known for its vast oil sands and cattle ranching, reflecting its significance in both the energy and agricultural sectors. British Columbia is famous for its stunning Pacific coastline and thriving film industry. Manitoba hosts a rich cultural history and is a key player in Canada’s grain production. New Brunswick is the only bilingual province, known for both its English and French heritage. Newfoundland and Labrador features rugged coastlines and a history steeped in maritime culture. Nova Scotia has a significant maritime economy and vibrant cultural scenes. Ontario is Canada's most populous province, home to major cities like Toronto and Ottawa, the nation’s capital. Prince Edward Island is renowned for its red sand beaches and agriculture, particularly potatoes. Quebec is the largest province by area, famous for its French-speaking majority and cultural festivals. Saskatchewan is recognized for its wheat fields and contributions to agriculture and potash production.

The territories, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon, offer breathtaking natural landscapes and are important for their indigenous cultures and mineral resources. Each region contributes uniquely to the national tapestry, from natural resources and agriculture to cultural heritage and modern industries, forming a comprehensive mosaic that defines Canada's diverse and dynamic identity.

List of Provinces of Canada

S.N.	Province	Postal Abbrev.	Capital	Largest City	Entered Confederation	Population	Area (km2) Land	Area (km2) Water	Area (km2) Total	Official Language(s)	Seats Commons	Seats Senate
1	Ontario	ON	Toronto	Toronto	July 1, 1867	14,733,119	917,741	158,654	1,076,395	English	121	24
2	Quebec	QC	Quebec City	Montreal	July 1, 1867	8,575,779	1,356,128	185,928	1,542,056	French	78	24
3	Nova Scotia	NS	Halifax	Halifax	July 1, 1867	979,115	53,338	1,946	55,284	English	11	10
4	New Brunswick	NB	Fredericton	Moncton	July 1, 1867	781,315	71,450	1,458	72,908	English, French	10	10
5	Manitoba	MB	Winnipeg	Winnipeg	July 15, 1870	1,379,584	553,556	94,241	647,797	English	14	6
6	British Columbia	BC	Victoria	Vancouver	July 20, 1871	5,145,851	925,186	19,549	944,735	English	42	6
7	Prince Edward Island	PE	Charlottetown	Charlottetown	July 1, 1873	159,713	5,660	0	5,660	English	4	4
8	Saskatchewan	SK	Regina	Saskatoon	September 1, 1905	1,177,884	591,670	59,366	651,036	English	14	6
9	Alberta	AB	Edmonton	Calgary	September 1, 1905	4,428,112	642,317	19,531	661,848	English	34	6
10	Newfoundland and Labrador	NL	St. John's	St. John's	March 31, 1949	520,998	373,872	31,340	405,212	English	7	6

Territories of Canada

S.N.	Territory	Postal Abbreviation	Capital and Largest City	Entered Confederation	Population	Area (km2) Land	Area (km2) Water	Area (km2) Total	Official Languages	Seats Commons	Seats Senate
1	Northwest Territories	NT	Yellowknife	July 15, 1870	45,074	1,183,085	163,021	1,346,106	Chipewyan, Cree, English, French, Gwich'in, Inuinnaqtun, Inuktitut, Inuvialuktun, North Slavey, South Slavey, Tłįchǫ	1	1
2	Yukon	YT	Whitehorse	June 13, 1898	42,176	474,391	8,052	482,443	English, French	1	1
3	Nunavut	NU	Iqaluit	April 1, 1999	39,285	1,936,113	157,077	2,093,190	Inuinnaqtun, Inuktitut, English, French	1	1

Population of Canada by Province and Territory

Canada, known for its vast landscapes and diverse culture, is comprised of 10 provinces and 3 territories. Each region has its unique demographic composition that contributes to the country's overall population.

Ontario

With a population of approximately 14.7 million people, Ontario is the most populous province in Canada. The Greater Toronto Area alone houses almost half of the province's residents, making it a significant economic and cultural hub.

Quebec

Quebec is the second most populous province, home to over 8.5 million people. The majority of the population resides in urban areas like Montreal and Quebec City. Quebec is distinguished by its French-speaking population and rich cultural heritage.

British Columbia

Located on the west coast, British Columbia has a population of around 5.1 million. The city of Vancouver is a major metropolitan area known for its scenic beauty and high standard of living.

Alberta

Alberta has a population of about 4.4 million people. Major cities include Calgary and Edmonton, both of which play pivotal roles in the province's strong energy sector.

Manitoba

Home to approximately 1.4 million residents, Manitoba's population is concentrated in urban centers such as Winnipeg, the capital city known for its cultural festivals and historical landmarks.

Saskatchewan

This province has around 1.2 million people, with Regina and Saskatoon being the most populous cities. Saskatchewan is often referred to as the "breadbasket" of Canada due to its extensive agricultural production.

Nova Scotia

With a population of close to 1 million, Nova Scotia is one of the smaller provinces in terms of population. Halifax, the provincial capital, is a prominent center for education and commerce.

New Brunswick

About 780,000 people call New Brunswick home. It is the only officially bilingual province in Canada, where both English and French are widely spoken.

Newfoundland and Labrador

This province has a population of approximately 520,000. St. John's, the capital, is one of the oldest cities in North America, known for its colorful row houses and coastal charm.

Prince Edward Island

The smallest province by land area and population, Prince Edward Island has around 160,000 residents. It is famed for its picturesque landscapes and agriculture, particularly potato farming.

Northwest Territories

With a population of about 45,000, this territory is known for its indigenous communities and vast wilderness. Yellowknife, the capital, serves as the administrative center.

Yukon

Home to roughly 42,000 people, the Yukon is famous for its rugged terrain and history of the Klondike Gold Rush. Whitehorse is the capital and largest city.

Nunavut

The least populous and northernmost territory, Nunavut has around 39,000 residents. It was officially separated from the Northwest Territories in 1999 and has Iqaluit as its capital. Nunavut is notable for its Inuit culture and arctic geography.

List of Canadian Provinces and Territories by Population

Population Rank	Province / Territories	Total Population ( 2021 Census )	Population Proportion	Growth ( 2016-21 )	Land area ( km2 )	Population Density ( per km2 )
1	Ontario	14,223,942	38.45%	5.80%	908,699.33	15.2
2	Quebec	8,501,833	22.98%	4.10%	1,356,625.27	6.5
3	British Columbia	5,000,879	13.52%	7.60%	922,503.01	5.4
4	Alberta	4,262,635	11.52%	4.80%	640,330.46	6.7
5	Manitoba	1,342,153	3.63%	5.80%	552,370.99	2.3
6	Saskatchewan	1,132,505	3.06%	3.40%	588,243.54	2
7	Nova Scotia	969,383	2.62%	5.00%	52,942.27	18.4
8	New Brunswick	775,610	2.09%	3.80%	71,388.81	10.9
9	Newfoundland and Labrador	510,550	1.38%	−1.8%	370,514.08	1.4
10	Prince Edward Island	154,331	0.42%	8.00%	5,686.03	27.2
11	Northwest Territories	41,070	0.11%	−1.7%	1,143,793.86	0.04
12	Yukon	40,232	0.11%	12.10%	474,712.68	0.08
13	Nunavut	36,858	0.10%	2.50%	1,877,778.53	0.02
Total	Canada	36,991,981	100%	5.20%	8,965,588.85	4.2

Territorial Evolution of Canada

The territorial evolution of Canada has been a complex and gradual process, marked by significant expansions, reconfigurations, and internal adjustments. Initially, Canada consisted of only four provinces: Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia, which united in 1867 under the British North America Act. This confederation established the foundation for the modern nation and was followed by a series of territorial expansions.

In 1870, Manitoba became the first new province, followed by British Columbia in 1871 and Prince Edward Island in 1873. The vast regions of the Northwest Territories were also acquired in 1870, which included present-day Alberta, Saskatchewan, and portions of Manitoba and the Yukon Territory. In 1905, Alberta and Saskatchewan were carved out from parts of the Northwest Territories to become provinces.

The Yukon Territory was established in 1898 during the Klondike Gold Rush to address administrative challenges emerging from the influx of settlers. Newfoundland and Labrador, the last province to join the Confederation, did so in 1949 after being a British colony and then a dominion.

Changes continued into the latter 20th century when, in 1999, the territory of Nunavut was formed from the eastern part of the Northwest Territories, recognizing the unique cultural and geographical considerations of the Indigenous Inuit population. Each addition and adjustment to Canada’s territorial boundaries reflects a narrative of negotiation, legal frameworks, and evolving governance structures aimed at accommodating diverse populations and regional needs.

Canadian Federalism

Canadian federalism is a system of government that divides powers and responsibilities between the national government and the provincial governments. Established by the Constitution Act of 1867, Canadian federalism is characterized by the distinctive distribution of powers outlined in sections 91 and 92 of the Act. The national government holds authority over topics of national importance such as defense, currency, and trade, while provinces have jurisdiction over areas like education, health care, and natural resources.

This division ensures regional diversity is respected within a unified state, reflecting Canada's vast geographical and cultural landscape. For example, healthcare is primarily managed by individual provinces, allowing them to tailor policies according to local needs. This feature has led to variations in health services across the country, but also allows for innovations that can be shared nationally.

Data from Statistics Canada indicates the national government collects a significant portion of the overall taxes, redistributing some funds to less wealthy provinces through equalization payments. This system aims to ensure all Canadians have access to public services at comparable levels, regardless of their province of residence.

Canada's federal structure also includes mechanisms for resolving intergovernmental conflicts, such as the Council of the Federation, where provincial premiers collaborate on common challenges. In recent years, discussions on environmental policies and carbon pricing have highlighted the adaptive nature of Canadian federalism, as provinces negotiate the balance between economic growth and sustainability.

This dynamic and responsive system enhances the country’s ability to manage its complex and multifaceted issues, ensuring governance remains effective and democratic. Canada’s federalism, through its decentralized approach, fosters an inclusive governance model accommodating both national coherence and regional diversity.

Proposed Provinces and Territories of Canada

Canada is predominantly divided into ten provinces and three territories. However, there have been proposals for the creation of additional provinces and territories. These proposals stem from diverse political, cultural, and economic motivations, and while none have been actualized, they offer interesting insights into regional aspirations and identity.

Newfoundland and Labrador

A proposal suggests splitting the province of Newfoundland and Labrador into two separate entities. Advocates believe this change could better reflect the distinct cultures and needs of Newfoundland and Labrador, potentially leading to improved governance and economic opportunities.

Vancouver Island

There is a recurrent proposal for Vancouver Island to become a separate province. Proponents argue that the island's unique geographic isolation and specific issues—such as transportation and regional development—warrant a distinct provincial government.

Northern Ontario

Northern Ontario has been proposed as a separate province due to its vast geographical area and economic contributions, particularly in mining and forestry. The current structure often leads to a feeling of neglect from the more populous southern regions of the province.

Yukon-Northwest Territories Split

Another proposal explores dividing the current Yukon and Northwest Territories into smaller territories. This change would aim to provide more localized governance, potentially addressing unique regional issues more effectively.

Nunavut-Western Split

A suggestion also exists to split Nunavut into eastern and western regions. This proposal recognizes the distinct cultural and geographic differences within Nunavut and argues for more tailored administration.

Each of these proposals illustrates the dynamic nature of Canada's regional identity and governance structures. While these changes are not imminent, they reflect ongoing conversations about improving representation and governance within the country.