Map of My Travels

My Trip Across Canada

I had found myself to be very isolated and often too prone to staying in my hometown. So I decided to combat this, and I took a trip to 6 cities across Canada. These cities included Vancouver, Calgary, Regina, Winnipeg, Toronto, and Montreal. I spent a week in each city before flying to the next one. While I was at these cities, I learned about their landforms and history, and I also took part in tourist activities and experienced their weather. 

The first city I went to was Vancouver. This city is a coastal city that is bordered by the Pacific Ocean and other bodies of water, such as the Strait of Georgia. The city was founded in 1886 as a port for the Canadian Pacific Railway. The trading of goods from the Far East and Canada, led to Vancouver becoming a major commercial hub of Canada. It's trade relations with Asia, also led to the mass immigration of Asian people such as Chinese, Indians, Filipino people to this area. When I was in this city, I was able to see the ethnic diversity and celebration of culture at places such as Chinatown and Punjabi Market. I also took time to visit the 1000 acre, Stanley Park. At this park I was able to see unique lagoons, beaches, and parks. The weather here did manage to disappoint me, as since my visit was in summer I expected warm weather. However it's maritime climate (owing to it's location near the Pacific Ocean) made things moderately warm. Despite my qualms with the weather, I did find Vancouver to be a very enjoyable destination.

The second stop on my nationwide trip were the resource-rich flat lands of Calgary. This city is located 60 km from the Rocky Mountains and is the largest city in Alberta. The city grew to become a Canadian wealth centre because of it the resources it was blessed with. Calgary took advantage of fertile farmlands and became an agricultural centre, and it also used it's land to make infrastructure for big Albertan Oil Companies. The result of this, would be Calgary being more well off then other cities. Calgary has a culture of being proud of it's agricultural roots, I was able to see this first hand when I took in the Calgary Stampede. The stampede is one of the largest outdoor rodeos in the world and it is hailed "the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth". The memories I made while taking part in rides and watching musical performances, had definitely made me agree with that sentiment. The 30 plus degree weather caused by the city's continental climate had me enjoying the outdoors to the fullest. My stop in Calgary had left me ecstatic.

The third stop I made was to Regina. Upon arriving to Regina, it reminded me of Calgary. This was because of the similar landforms (plains located in the southern portion of their province). In Regina, I was able to learn about the vast amount of natural resources which are present in the area (such as potash). I was also able to learn that these minerals were the reason why Regina grew as an economic centre. Mining companies vigorously set themselves up in this area, and this would lead to the infrastructural development of Regina. Another thing I was able to discover while in Regina, was the cities devotion towards their football team, the Saskatchewan Roughriders. I attended one of their games against the BC Lions, and I was able to see the "Rider Nation" first hand. When I left Regina, I was able to find another similarity it had with Calgary, and that was the continental climate. I was able to have yet another warm stay. 

The fourth the city that I visited was Winnipeg. Upon arriving in Winnipeg, I found myself in yet another prairie city. However the difference between Winnipeg, and Calgary and Regina, is that Winnipeg is closer to Ontario. That is why Winnipeg got the nickname "Gateway to the West". Winnipeg has been flourishing city ever since the days of the NWC, and HBC trading. Many people came to trade with the large Aboriginal population, and this in turn cause mass immigration towards Winnipeg. This immigration is now the reason why Winnipeg has nearly have the population of it's province. When I was in the city, I was able to gain knowledge about their culture. During my visit, I took in a performance of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, the Manitoba Opera, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, and the Winnipeg Theatre Centre. Upon leaving the city, I was convinced that Winnipeg was second the none in the arts. Another conclusion that I was able to make while leaving, was that Winnipeg was less warm than Calgary and Regina were. This could possibly be due to Winnipeg's proximity towards the large Lake Winnipeg, thus giving it more of a maritime climate. I concluded my look at Western Canada with this stop, and I was left very impressed. 

The fifth city that I visited was Canada's largest, Toronto. I arrived at Pearson Airport, and I was astounded to see that despite Toronto's northern location in the continent, it had 4 distinct seasons. The summer that I was experiencing was not moderately warm, but openly (not unbearably) hot. I also took notice towards the large amount of ethnic minorities (they made up half of the population). I had the great pleasure of being able to interact with these various cultures. Toronto's owes it's status as financial capital and desirable immigration spot because of it's proximity towards the Great Lakes. This geographical location had made Toronto the main port for conducting business with our biggest ally, the United States. In turn, Toronto would end up getting it's infrastructure developed at a staggering rate. Thus making it Canada's elite city. Toronto also presents itself as a tourists pleasure due to the attractions in the city. One of these attractions would be the CN Tower (one of the largest towers in the world). I was able to visit the tower, and through it be able to have one of the best views in the world. Toronto also is a sports fan's delight because it is the only place in Canada, where people can watch NBA basketball and MLB Baseball. I had the honour to take an a Blue Jays game at the Skydome, and I was able to even catch a ball! My visit to Toronto was vast and it left me to so thrilled that I considered relocating there. 

The final stop on my nationwide trip was, Montreal. This city (which is the largest in Quebec) is located on the junction of the Ottawa and St. Lawrence River. Montreal had been first discovered in 1642 by a group of French explorers arriving through the St. Lawrence. These French explorers took to establishing Montreal as a major fur trading post, leading it to become heavily populated. This population would be maintained for centuries to come, and it helped to affirm Montreal as the commercial centre of Quebec. My visit to Montreal gave me my sole opportunity to experience Francophone culture. Before visiting Montreal, I made sure to sharpen my French skills. This allowed me to take in various French musical and theatre performances around Montreal. I also got to take in a Montreal Alouettes game at Olympic Stadium, thus being able to experience the city's sporting culture. The city had really made me appreciate the French language more so than before. Montreal's weather also changed because I previously thought that Vancouver only had moderate summers. It turns out that Montreal can join club. Stopping in Montreal was an excellent way of ending my nationwide trip, as I was able to go all the way from East to West.

This trip as a whole would be the best 7 weeks of my life because it helped me gain insight on the distinctiveness of the major cities of Canada. Being able to interact with various cultures helped me to gain further understanding of my fellow Canadians. This trip was a sure success.

Stanley Park in Vancouver

The Calgary Stampede

A Saskatchewan  Roughriders games at Mosaic Stadium

The Manitoba Theatre Centre

The Downtown Toronto Skyline

Montreal's Olympic Stadium