Canada is a country located in the northern part of North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic to the Pacific and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering 9.98 million square kilometres (3.85 million square miles), making it the world’s second-largest country by total area and the fourth-largest country by land area. Canada’s southern border with the United States, stretching some 8,891 kilometres (5,525 mi), is the longest bi-national land border in the world.
The land that is now Canada has been inhabited for millennia by various Aboriginal peoples. Beginning in the late 15th century, British and French colonies were established on the region’s Atlantic coast. As a consequence of various conflicts, Great Britain gained and lost territories within what is today Canada until it was left with only three provinces – Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Quebec – at Confederation in 1867 when Canada became a Dominion within The British Empire; later that year most of its present territory was acquired through purchase from First Nations as well as through war with The United States . Since then, Canada has been characterized by two dominant political parties alternating power: The Liberal Party led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau since 2015 and before him Pierre Elliott Trudeau from 1968 to 1984; followed by Progressive Conservative Brian Mulroney from 1984 to 1993 , Liberal Jean Chrétien from 1993 to 2003 , Conservative Stephen Harper from 2006 until his defeat by Trudeau in 2015 .
Today Canada is a federal parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy with Queen Elizabeth II being its head of state . It is one of wealthiest nations in terms of GDP per capita with an abundant supply of natural resources ; however it suffers from high income inequality . It ranks highly in international measurements of government transparency , civil liberties , quality of life , economic freedom , education health care as well as human development . According to UNICEF report released 2017 “Report Card 11″, Canadian children fare better than average on most but not all measures when compared internationally.” In 1507 Italian explorer Giovanni Caboto (John Cabot) became first European since Viking Leif Eriksson five centuries earlier to land on mainland North America while seeking a shorter route to Asia for trade; his discovery set off a wave of exploration.