Canadians are widely regarded as being honest, friendly, polite, well educated, interesting and healthy. In fact, Canada consistently ranks as one of the top 3 best countries in the world to live by the United Nations and has held the #1 spot 8 times (UN Human Development Index, 1990 - 2009).

This index measures a country's achievements in three aspects of human development:

Longevity is measured by life expectancy at birth; Knowledge is measured by a combination of the adult literacy rate and the combined gross primary, secondary, and tertiary enrolment ratio; Standard of living is measured by the GDP per capita. For six years Canada was number one in the world.

Canada has the tenth largest economy in the world, is one of the world's wealthiest nations, has one of the highest levels of economic freedom in the world and is a member of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the Group of Eight (G8).

More than 150,000 students come to study in Canada every year. Foreign students bring a rich culture to our classrooms. In Canada, the provinces and territories have jurisdiction over education.

The country spends more on education as a percentage of GDP, compared to the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation & Development) average, and is the 2nd highest among G8 countries.80% of world's animation created by Canadian Animators Canada has stunning landscapes, diverse ecosystems, and an astounding variety and abundance of wildlife, plant life and natural resources. You will be amazed to discover the vastness and richness of Canada's unique and unparalleled natural beauty and learn about conservation and preservation initiatives in place to ensure their protection and sustainability.

The telephone, insulin, nuclear safety standards, advances in neurology, stem cell research, electronic music devices, the Canada Arm…Canada's scientific and technological contributions have been instrumental in Canada's growth as a nation, positively influencing the lives of Canadians and the world at large. Canada continues to be a world leader in scientific and technological development, research and innovation.

Transportation plays a major role in everyday life, providing a means to import and export resources, deliver the food they eat, and allow personal mobility to all regions of the country and the world. Canada's transportation system is comprised of more than 1,400,000 kilometers (870,000 mi) of roads, 10 major international airports, 300 smaller airports, 72,093 km (44,797 mi) of functioning railway track, and more than 300 commercial ports and harbors that provide access to the Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic oceans as well as the Great Lakes and the Saint Lawrence Seaway.

Canadians enjoy a very high quality of life. Now rising wages and a strengthening currency have pushed Canada's average wage higher than the USA's, the UK's, and most of Europe's. A major advantage of living in Canada is that, in most locations, it's possible to buy a comfortable, large, detached house on a normal income. Canada has traditionally offered its residents some of the cheapest housing in the developed world. The country has huge forests and timber is readily available as a building material. Houses in Canada are typically timber-framed and, because of climate extremes, the housing stock is usually high quality and well insulated

Canadians are very hospitable, welcoming people - particularly in provincial and rural Canada. The majority of Canadians are very tolerant and follow a live and let live philosophy. There is often a stronger sense of community and duty in Canadian towns than can be found in other countries.

Canada's 34 million residents enjoy virtually unlimited recreational opportunities and you might be forgiven for thinking you have found paradise.