Canada is one of the biggest countries in the world.  Stretching over 9,984,670 square kilometers, it is second in area only to Russia.  Canada is surrounded by three oceans, the Pacific in the West, the Atlantic in the East and the Arctic in the North.

Canadian culture is a product of Canada's history and geography.  Most of Canada's territory was inhabited and developed later than other European colonies in the Americas.  As a result of those themes and symbols of pioneers, trappers and traders, were important in the early development of Canadian Culture.

Canada is multicultural and has a relatively young population when compared with other developed countries.  According to "Statistics Canada", the median age in Canada is 39 years old (StatsCan, Canada's Population by Age and Sex, 2007).  The birth rate is fairly low in Canada so immigration plays an important role in maintaining and growing the population.  The top five sources of Canadian immigration are Eastern Asia, Southern Asia, Southern Europe, United Kingdom and Southeast Asia (StatsCan Immigrant Population by Place of Birth, 2006).

Furthermore, Canada's cultural diversity also creates an environment much more accepting of gay and lesbian people than one finds in the United States or most countries.  Canada has always placed emphasis on equality and inclusiveness for all people.  Canada has become the fourth country to officially sanction gay marriage worldwide, after the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain.  By 2005, sexual orientation was also included as a protected status in the human rights laws of the federal government and of all provinces and territories.

There were, and are, many distinct Aboriginal people across Canada, each with its own culture, beliefs, values, language and history.  Much of this legacy remains celebrated artistically in Canada to this day.  Part of the emblem of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics is an inukshuk, a rock sculpture that is made by stacking stones in the shape of human figure that is a part of Inuit culture.

In certain regards, Canada and the United States share a similar culture, which can be defined as "North American".  Canadians are quite exposed to American culture, due to the proximity of the United States, a common linguistic bond shared between a majority (75%) of Canadians and their neighbours to the south and the fact that both countries are multi ethnic immigrant societies that have shared population for centuries.

Regardless of American influence and a high level of cultural mixing, the vast majority of Canadians are fully aware of their cultural achievements.  The Canadian music and television industries are strong, vibrant and Canadian theatre and literature are very much respected, not only domestically, but also internationally.

Canadian literature is often divided into French and English language literatures, which are rooted in the literary traditions of France and Britain respectively. 

Canada has developed its own brands of traditional music, including French, Irish and Scotish derived Cape Breton fiddle music of the Maritimes, the Franco-Celtic styles of Quebec that often include foot percussion and a scat style called "turtlutte", and other national styles from the Ottawa Valley to the west.  The Canadian music industry has been helped by government regulation designed to protect and encourage the growth of distinct Canadian culture.  The Canadian Content regulations force all radio stations in Canada to play at least 35% of Canadian music; which has enabled Canadian artists to garner success on the airwaves which were once dominated by American and European acts.

Official symbols of Canada include the maple leaf, beaver and the Canadian horse.  Many official symbols of the country such as the Flag of Canada have been modified over the past few decades in order to "Canadianise" them and de-emphasize or remove references to the United Kingdom.