French Canada

Interview with Alice In Chains

“On one level, Peter Moogk’s latest book, La Nouvelle France: The Making of French Canada–A Cultural History, is a candid exploration of the troubled historical relationship that exists between the inhabitants of French- and English-speaking Canada. At the same time, it is a long-overdue study of the colonial social institutions, values, and experiences that shaped modern French Canada. Moogk draws on a rich body of evidence–literature; statistical studies; government, legal, and private documents in France, Britain, and North America–and traces the roots of the Anglo-French cultural struggle to the seventeenth century. In so doing, he discovered a New France vastly different from the one portrayed in popular mythology. French relations with Native Peoples, for instance, were strained. The colony of New France was really no single entity, but rather a chain of loosely aligned outposts stretching from Newfoundland in the east to the Illinois Country in the west.

Moogk also found that many early immigrants to New France were reluctant exiles from their homeland and that a high percentage returned to Europe. Those who stayed, the Acadians and Canadians, were politically conservative and retained Old Regime values: feudal social hierarchies remained strong; one’s individualism tended to be familial, not personal; Roman Catholicism molded attitudes and was as important as language in defining Acadian and Canadian identities. It was, Moogk concludes, the pre-French Revolution Bourbon monarchy and its institutions that shaped modern French Canada, in particular the Province of Quebec, and set its people apart from the rest of the nation.

La Nouvelle France: The Making of French Canada–A Cultural History

Canada is the second largest country in the world in area after Russia. The first inhabitants of Canada were native Indians. Its varied ethnicity, climate and scenery make Canada a great destination for anyone and everyone. It is a country of immigrants and encourages diversity through its policy of skilled as well as other immigration opportunities.

Its geography is vast and diverse, occupying most of the northern part of North America. It extends its territory from the Pacific Ocean in the west, the Atlantic in the east to the Arctic in the north and hence its motto is â??From sea to seaâ??. The United States is in its south, Alaska in the North West and Greenland in the north east. Abundance of natural resources is reflected in their continued importance to the economy of Canada. Fisheries and forestry have been also been a major industry for a long time. Canada crosses six time zones.

Canada is often related with cold weather and snow, but the truth is that its climate is as varied as its landscape. It enjoys four very different seasons, mainly in more populated areas along the US border. More moderate temperatures are standard in spring and fall. Summers can be hot and dry on the plains, humid in central part and milder on the coasts. Spring is usually enjoyable across the country. Autumns are often brittle and chilly, but it is brightened by the rich orange and red leaves on trees.

Canada offers an enormous choice, from large cosmopolitan cities such as Montreal and Toronto in the south, to remote Inuit (Eskimo) settlement dotted around the ice-covered shores of Hudson Bay. The contrasting Pacific and Atlantic coast and the thousands of lakes and rivers provide excellent opportunities for water sports and fishing. The Rocky Mountains and other places of natural beauty in Canada offer spectacular landscape on a grand range. Some of the best resorts are in form of grand National Parks which conserve the wildlife and forests in their virgin state.

The spread of Canada’s natural beauty, from mountains and glaciers to quiet lakes and forests, is almost unmatched worldwide. Its attraction is not just confined to the great outdoors; it has cosmopolitan cities that are clean, safe, friendly and enriching. It is repeatedly acclaimed as one of the world’s most habitable countries. Whether your interests is river rafting or live theater, this country won’t disappoint. It is an affordable choice for vacation.

Some of the popular destinations for the visitors in the country are Vancouver, Ottawa, Niagara Falls, Quebec city, Victoria, Halifax etc. French culture remains a famous part of the country, mostly in Quebec. Canada is formally bilingual, even though it’s certainly not necessary for tourists to speak French. Its natural beauty is well known and the country’s natural wonders are many. It also features interesting man-made attractions. These include architectural feats, such as the CN Tower. Canada also offers number of comfort inns, sleep inns, rode way inns etc for tourists with different budgets.

Originally published here.