10 Fun & Interesting Facts About Canada

Canada is bigger than the European Union

Ever been travelling abroad and had someone ask you if you know Kimberly from Vancouver or Theo from Montreal after you told them you were Canadian? Our country’s vast land area is often hard to comprehend for those who haven’t experienced it firsthand. Here are some fun facts about Canada to put its breathtaking scale into perspective: It’s bigger than the entire European Union (33 times bigger than Italy and 15 times bigger than France), more than 30 per cent larger than Australia, five times as big as Mexico, three times as big as India.

The population of Canada is 38,654,738 people (estimated) as on April 1, 2022. While Canada is the second-largest country in the world with a total land area of 2 million square km. But much of the land is uninhabited and Canada has the fourth lowest population density on earth with 3.7 people per square km. (for reference the United States has approximately 35 people per square km.)

Canada has the world’s longest coastline

If you walked and never stopped—not to eat, not to rest your feet, not to get some sleep—it would take you four-and-a-half years to walk the length of Canada’s coastline. While our country might not conjure up images of blue waters and white sandy beaches, Canada has the world’s longest coastline, bordered on three sides by three different oceans: the Atlantic, Arctic and Pacific. To put that fun fact about Canada into perspective, that accounts for 202,080 of the world’s total 356,000 kilometres of oceanfront property. The only other country that even comes close is Indonesia, which has 54,716 km of coastline.

Canada has 10 per cent of the world’s forests

One of the most widely-known facts about Canada is that we’ve got an abundance of trees, but did you know that Canada actually boasts 30 per cent of the world’s boreal forest and 10 per cent of the world’s total forest cover? An incredible 396.9-million hectares of forest and other wooded land can be found across the country, and 68 per cent of that is coniferous. The best part of all? Most of our forest land is publicly owned.

Canada’s lowest recorded temperature is as cold as Mars

One of the least surprising facts about Canada is that it can get pretty cold in the winter (anyone who’s ever had to chisel their car out of a block of ice in the morning knows this to be true). The average low for the month of January in Ottawa is -14.4 C (6.1 F). That’s pretty cold! However, a temperature recorded in 1947 in Snag, Yukon makes the rest of Canada’s winter weather seem like a relaxing beach vacation. A temperature of -63 C (-81.4 F) was recorded in the small village of Snag on Feb. 3, 1947. That’s roughly the same temperature as the surface of Mars!

There are more lakes here than anywhere else in the world

Canada has a lot of great things in abundance, like hockey players, parkas and Tim Hortons franchises. But one of the most fascinating facts about Canada is that we also have more surface area covered by lakes than any other country in the world. It’s true! The Great White North has 563 lakes larger than 100 square kilometres. The Great Lakes alone contain about 18 per cent of the world’s fresh lake water. That’s a lot of water—and a lot of gorgeous scenery.

Canada’s national parks are bigger than most countries

Canada is so vast, even our parks dwarf other countries. Just look at Nahanni National Park Reserve in the Northwest Territories: not only is it a sight to behold with massive waterfalls, it’s also an incredible 30,050 square kilometres—bigger than Albania and Israel. Wood Buffalo National Park in Alberta and the Northwest Territories is even bigger at 44,807 square kilometres, which makes it bigger than Denmark and Switzerland.

Alert, Nunavut, is the world’s northernmost settlement

At the northern tip of Ellesmere Island, just 817 kilometres from the North Pole, you’ll find the northernmost permanently inhabited place in the world: Alert, Nunavut. It might not have malls or movie theatres but Alert is the temporary home to military and scientific personnel working in the area. The “temporary home” part will make sense once you realize how cold this place gets: the warmest month, July, has a balmy average temperature of 3.4 C (38.1 F). By January, the coldest month, the mean temperature has plunged to -32.19 C (-26 F). No wonder they named it Alert.

Canada has the only walled city in North America

Quebec City has a special feature that makes it unique in Canada (and the U.S., for that matter): it has walls. One of the most fascinating facts about Canada is that Quebec City is the only city north of Mexico that still has fortified walls. First the French, and later the English, built up Quebec City’s fortifications between the 17th and the 19th centuries. Quebec’s entire historic district, including the ramparts, has since been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Canada has six times more oil than Russia

It’s thick, it’s sticky and Canada has an estimated 176.8 billion recoverable barrels of it. That’s right, crude bitumen—a semi-solid source of petroleum—is available in abundance in Canada’s oil sands. There’s an estimated 249.67 billion accessible barrels of the black stuff in the world and Canada has about 70.8 per cent of it—four times more than Kazakhstan and six times more than Russia.

How To Beat The Monsoon Blues & Enjoy The Season

Nothing feels as comforting as sipping a cup of coffee while consuming hot snacks while it pours. Some hot & meaty samosas or puffs, pakodas or even vadas – great for accompanying your evening tea or coffee. Great a round table for your covered balcony or terrace, invest in some monsoon-friendly furniture to sit and relax on the balcony or terrace. Here are some other tips to liven up the monsoon season.

Keep Dirt Outside

Along with the fun and romance, the monsoon also brings soaking umbrellas, wet raincoats, and muddy shoes. You don’t want to be bringing all this dirt into your clean and beautiful home. Here’s how you keep it away:

Door Mat

Make sure to put a heavy-duty doormat at your doorstep which is made up of jute, rubber, or coir to keep the dirt outside. Everyone in your family along with your lovely guests can wipe their shoes on it before they enter the house. To add a welcoming touch to your entrance, get doormats with colourful prints and welcome texts on them. This way, you protect the floor inside your house and stay away from dirt, germs, and mud.

Umbrella Stand

Umbrellas can leave water trails near the entrance as well as across the house when someone enters with a dripping umbrella. So, make sure to assign a corner for an umbrella stand. Additionally, you can accessorize this corner in such a way that it goes well along with the decor of your living room or your entrance. You could also use bamboo baskets or large vases as umbrella stands. To make it functional, you can add hooks on top of it to hang dripping raincoats too.

Light Up the Corners

Use floor lamps or ceiling lamps with LED lights to brighten up the room. You can also hang a simple fairy light over a windowpane to add an instant perk to your space.

Fragrance

Scented candles can magically boost your mood with their nice and sweet aroma. In dark corridors with less sunshine, create a warm and cosy environment with decorative scented candles. This way, you can also take care of the mouldy rain smell and damp clothes.

Music

Want to feel romantic, happy, and refreshed in the rainy season? Try adding music along with the sound of rain to soothe your mood further. Add decorative wind chimes to boost your mood when the cool breeze graces you with its presence.

5 Top Fruits To Eat During The Indian Monsoon

1. Jamun or black plum loads up on nutrients like vitamins, potassium and iron, which keep the body fit and healthy. Jamun is rich in fibre and keeps a check on sudden blood sugar spikes, making for an excellent food for diabetics during monsoons.

2. Cherry is known for its anti-carcinogenic properties that help in lowering cholesterol level and also keeping the blood pressure level in check. Cherry is particularly rich in potassium and antioxidants, which boost the body’s ability to steer clear from common infections.

3.Pomegranate seeds are delicious pearls of wellness, especially rich in B-vitamins and folate that help in blood circulation by development of red blood cells. This fruit is known to be effective in dealing with serious ailments like hypertension and heart issues.

4.Papaya contains a special enzyme called papain that helps in easy digestion of foods by keeping the digestive tract heathy. Papaya is also highly rich in Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that builds immunity of the body and also looks after skin and hair health.

5. Peach is a low-calorie fruit that aids weight loss. It is a good source of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C and carotenes – all the nutrients come together to promote a healthy, infection-free body.

The Flight Attendant

The Flight Attendant is an American dark comedy drama mystery thriller television series developed by Steve Yockey based on the 2018 novel of the same name by Chris Bohjalian. It stars Kaley Cuoco in the title role and premiered on HBO Max on November 26, 2020. In December 2020, the series was renewed for a second season, which premiered on April 21, 2022. American flight attendant Cassie Bowden is a reckless alcoholic who drinks during flights and spends her time having sex with strangers, including her passengers.

When she wakes up in a hotel room in Bangkok with a hangover from the night before, she discovers the dead body of a passenger on her last flight lying next to her with his throat slashed. Afraid to call the police, she cleans up the crime scene, then joins the other airline crew traveling to the airport. In New York City, she is met by Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents who question her about the layover in Bangkok. Still unable to piece the night together, and suffering intermittent flashbacks/hallucinations about it, she begins to wonder who the killer could be.

The Impact That Blogging Has Had On My Life.

Describe the impact that blogging has had on your life.

Well, for one I can easily go back in time when I want to and read about a thought or an idea or something that happened. Atleast since 2002. 20 years. Most of the eventful things that has happened in my life plus a lot of insignificant stuff, is easily available for me to read and relive when I just go back and search for it or go to particular dates back in the year I am looking at.

Other that I would also say that the money I have made, some nice chunk of change, has made things quite easier for me. I bought two mobile phones, the ones that I use now, my current laptop, my computer chair, a lot of dvds and some Funko pops and even let me take a couple of 3 to 4 day holidays without having to dip into my salary money. That was an awesome feeling. But it hasn’t lasted and now I am lucky if I can make Rs.6000 a month from my blog. But the dream is still there that I can just make a bunch of money every month off my blog.

Other than that, I think that it has improved my communication skills a bit and my writing. It has definitely made me search for more things online so I can create a few blog posts about things and that increased my knowledge and awareness.

Prompt from 61 BLOG POST IDEAS FOR ANY NICHE | WRITING PROMPTS FOR BLOGGERS

Colorado Avalanche Win The 2022 Stanley Cup

Colorado dethroned the two-time defending champions 2-1 in Game 6 en route to winning the 2022 Stanley Cup on Sunday night. Nathan MacKinnon paced the Avalanche to victory with two points (1G, 1A), while Artturi Lehkonen sealed the victory with his fourth game-winning goal of the postseason. Darcy Kuemper made 22 saves on 23 shots in the championship victory. With 29 points (8G, 21A) in 20 postseason games, Cale Makar was named the 2022 Conn Smythe Trophy winner, awarded annually to the annually to the most valuable player. For Tampa Bay, Steven Stamkos scored the lone goal, while Andrei Vasilevskiy made 28 saves on 30 shots.

Matt Turner Joins Arsenal From New England Revolution

Goalkeeper Matt Turner has joined Arsenal on a long-term contract from MLS side New England Revolution. The 28-year-old USA international has made 18 appearances for his country since making his international debut in January 2021. He started all six matches on the way to the United States winning the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup and has also been an integral part of the squad which has won qualification to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. After graduating from Fairfield University, Connecticut, Matt joined Jersey Express in the US Premier Development League for one season, before signing for New England Revolution in 2016.

Matt made 102 appearances for New England Revolution during his six years with the MLS side, being voted both the fans’ and teammates Most Valuable Player in 2020In August 2021 he was selected to represent the MLS in the 2021 MLS All-Star Game, where he saved two penalties and was voted MVP. Matt also spent a successful loan spell in the United Soccer League with Richmond Kickers in 2016 at the start of his time with New England Revolution. Matt will wear the number 30 shirt and will soon join up with his new team mates for pre-season training.

Mikel Arteta said: “Matt is an experienced goalkeeper who will bring high quality to our squad. He has shown with his performances in recent years in both the MLS and at international level with the United States that he is a goalkeeper who will give us added strength going into next season. We welcome Matt and his family to the club and we look forward to working together in the years to come.”

Technical director Edu added: “We are delighted that Matt is joining us. Matt is a goalkeeper with established qualities and experience, who will be a great addition to our squad. We identified Matt some time ago and worked hard to ensure that his transfer was complete so he could join us in time for our pre-season in July. We now look forward to Matt joining us, settling into his new home and working ahead of next season.”

6 Things You May Not Have Know About Hotel California

1. Don Felder did not expect the song to be a hit.

Knowing full well that most radio hits at the time clocked in around the three-minute mark, Don Felder thought there was no way “Hotel California” would take off. “‘Hotel California’ is six minutes, the intro is a minute long, it stops in the middle with no drums and you’ve got a two-minute guitar solo at the end,” he said to MusicRadar in 2012. “It’s the absolute wrong format for a single.” He was mistaken.

2. The working title was “Mexican Reggae.”

As Don Felder began to build the foundation of the song, he presented his progress to bandmate Don Henley. “Henley came back and said he really liked that song, and I think he kind of nicknamed it ‘Mexican Reggae,'” Felder recalled on Uncle Joe Benson’s Ultimate Classic Rock Nights radio show. “And I went, ‘Oh, okay. ‘Mexican Reggae.’ That sounds good to me.”

3. When it came time to record the song, Don Felder had forgotten what he’d written.

When the band sat down to record the song, Don Henley insisted the track be cut like the original demo. But having written it a year earlier, Felder could not recall what he had played. “I had left my original cassette in my studio in Los Angeles in Malibu,” he told UCR. “So I had to call my housekeeper, have her go find the cassette, put it in a blaster, play it over the phone, so we could record it in the studio in Miami. Then I had to sit down and learn what I had just made up, note for note from the hip because Don wanted it just like the demo.”

4. “Steely knives” is a reference to Steely Dan, who inspired Eagles to expand their lyrical horizons.

“One of the things that impressed us about Steely Dan was that they would say anything in their songs, and it didn’t have to necessarily make sense,” Glenn Frey said on the Ultimate Classic Rock Nights radio show. “They called it ‘joke sculpture.’ But it was also meant to be playful repartee.” “Walter Becker’s girlfriend loved the Eagles, and she played them all the time,” Frey told Cameron Crowe. “I think it drove him nuts. So, the story goes that they were having a fight one day, and that was the genesis of the line, ‘Turn up the Eagles, the neighbors are listening’ in ‘Everything You Did,’ from Steely Dan’s The Royal Scam album. During the writing of ‘Hotel California,’ we decided to volley.”

5. “Mercedes bends” is not a typo. 

When the album was released, the songs’ lyrics were included. Some fans assumed the misspelling of “Mercedes bends” was an error, but it was a purposeful play on words, emphasizing the woman’s fanatical and “Tiffany-twisted” mind.

6. There are countless theories as to the architectural inspiration behind “Hotel California.”

Eagles maintained the song was always an overarching metaphor for the fleeting materialism and wealth of California, but fans began to wonder if a real-life hotel had inspired the song. Various interpretations arose, according to Songfacts, ranging from local psychiatric hospitals to Aleister Crowley’s mansion in Scotland to the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles.

Four Fun Facts About Wimbledon

THE FASTEST SERVE WAS 240 KPH

When we think of great servers, our minds are drawn to stars like Federer, Roddick and Pete Sampras, but the fastest serve recorded at Wimbledon was actually achieved by American Taylor Dent. In a 2010 match, Dent served a 240 kmph rocket to Novak Djokovic. Earlier that year, Dent also set a record at Roland Garros – he wasn’t a household name, but Dent was a hard server and no slouch as a player, peaking at 21st in the rankings.

THE LONGEST SPONSORSHIP IN SPORTS HISTORY

Did you know that Wimbledon’s relationship with Slazenger is the longest in sports history? The British sporting company started supplying balls to the championship in 1902 and hasn’t stopped since.

THE YOUNGEST WINNER? JUST 15 YEARS OLD!

In 1887, Charlotte Dod won the championship at just 15 years old, and went on to retain her title for five years in a row, before losing it at the ripe old age of twenty. Charlotte wasn’t just a tennis star – in addition to her Wimbledon exploits, she won a silver in archery at the 1908 Olympics, won the British Amateur Golf Championship in 1904 and competed with the national field hockey team.

On the men’s side, the youngest winner was German Boris Becker, who was just 17. Although he was older than Charlotte Dod, the feat may be even more impressive, as he won in 1985, competing against highly paid, well-trained professionals. Becker was also the first unseeded champ and the first German to win Wimbledon.

The Champions Climb To See Family In The Stands

Like strawberries and cream, the Queue and all-white outfits, the champion’s climb to the players’ box to celebrate his victory with his closed ones has become a tradition at Wimbledon. It all started with Pat Cash back in 1987. Since then, 14 players have scaled terraces to the players’ box to embrace their family and coaches. The most unexpected – and out of character – climb was probably Sampras‘ when he beat Pat Rafter in 2000 and broke Roy Emerson’s Grand Slam record.

Some Ideas & Tips For Enjoying A Staycation

Have a spa day. It might not be as glamorous as a real day at the spa, but you can still make your own home feel like a peaceful retreat. Try a face mask with cucumber slices or an Epsom salt bath.

A staycation is the perfect opportunity to dive into a good read—or several! Set up a hammock in your backyard or lay out a blanket under a tree and let yourself unwind with a good book. If you live in an apartment building get a recliner and some tea/coffee.

Take a hike in the great outdoors, canoe the local river, or enjoy a peaceful walk in a nearby park. Pack a lunch for the trip and enjoy a picnic with your family, or even grab your running shoes to hit that runner’s high!

Pitch a tent, light the fire, and make some s’mores. When it’s time to call it a night, crawl into the tent and sleep under the stars. (Or you can bring the gang back inside to sleep in your comfortable beds too—we won’t judge.)

Plan movie nights. You don’t have to leave your house to catch a good flick. Rent a movie—or even better, stream one for free. This is the perfect time to tackle a marathon of trilogies or introduce your kids to iconic classics for the first time. But don’t forget the snacks! Grab some popcorn and candy from a grocery store and you’ll be set.

Stay somewhere new. Let’s be clear: It’s okay to stay at your house during your staycation (and it saves major money not having to pay for a hotel or bed-and-breakfast). But if you do want to switch it up, check in to a local hotel or Airbnb for a night or two. It’s amazing how getting away to a new spot in your hometown can feel so refreshing.

Prompt from 170 Creative Summer Blog Post Ideas for All Bloggers at Nikki Blogs

YogaBar Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter

If you like dark chocolate and peanut butter than one of the options you can try is the YogaBar Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter. This is from their latest range of food products that are heavily advertised online has a delicious taste. I am used to their YogaBar protien bars which are really good but they also have peanut butter and oats. Now the dark chocolate ones come in either crunchy or creamy but I never buy the crunchy ones.

The most valuable feature is the peanuts are slow-roasted. It is said that the more roasted peanuts are, the better it is. How does it taste? It isn’t very sweet and infact is not as sweet as most regular peanut butter. It has it’s natural oil when you open it, so it is best to do a good mix before you use it. Best with toast or buns or chapathi. You get the taste of dark chocolate a lot more than the peanut butter but after you take your first chew you will slowly get the texture of peanut butter. It has 26% Protein per serving, is high in fibre, zero Trans fat & Zero Cholesterol.

Ideally do not refrigerate it, though you can. Instead store it in a cool, dark place and enjoy whenever you want to get that toast or chapati. I dunno if this is gonna replace the usual brands of peanut butter I buy right now, since it has chocolate in it but it sure is good. 4 outta 5 stars or 8.5 outta 10!

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF Therapy)

Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF therapy), also known as low field magnetic stimulation (LFMS) uses electromagnetic fields in an attempt to heal non-union fractures and depression. Pulsed PEMF therapy treats your cells like batteries. It’s common for them to slowly be drained of energy. By the end of a day, your body and mind may feel tired and depleted. That’s where PEMF technology can help. Dr. Williams uses it to generate energy in your cells without an invasive procedure. This amplifies your natural energy and encourages your body to function more effectively. Also known as low field magnetic stimulation, it uses electromagnetic fields to try to help cellular dysfunction. How does PEMF work?

Pulsed PEMF therapy sends magnetic energy into the body. These energy waves work with your body’s natural magnetic field to improve healing. The magnetic fields help you to increase electrolytes and ions. This naturally influences electrical changes on a cellular level and influences cellular metabolism. It works with your body’s own recovery processes to help relieve chronic pain. Best of all, it’s entirely safe.

Ultimately, the human body requires electricity to sign signals throughout the body and to your brain. PEMF therapy effectively can realign the electricity in your cells. When a cell is stimulated, it allows positive charges to enter a cell in an open ION channel. The inside of this cell becomes positively charged, which will trigger other electrical currents, turning into pulses. This can positively influence movement, healing, and sending of signals. Any disruption in electrical currents can lead to dysfunction or illness. Pulsed PEMF therapy helps restore this disruption in electrical current to the normal state, which promotes overall wellness.

My Favourite Bars In Cochin

Couchyn at The Grand is a restaurant on Grand Hotel, MG Road Ernakulam in Kochi. It is a preferred destination for several old timers in the city as it is attached to one of the oldest & famous family restaurants in Cochin. A perfect place for wining and dining, drop into enjoy your favorite beverages, cocktails & mocktails. Recommended food pairings are their Trivandrum style chicken, fish fingers, tandoori chicken and French fries.

Blue Rock Resto Bar at Olive Downtown – very cool and awesome location at Kadavanthara. They mix fine dining dishes with fast food and snacks. They have happy hours and offers as well. A tad more expensive than Couchyn. Best pro is that you can get burgers & pizza from the hotel’s cafe downstairs to pair with your beer while you sit in the bar. Recommended is the crispy fried prawns, pork chops & their pizzas.

The Ava Lounge & Bar is hotel Raddison Blu’s bar which is on the 6th floor. Comfy chairs and Couches, thoughtful and polite staff, variety of beer, wine and liquor with a great ambience & service. Decent prices for 5 star hotel however you must go during their happy hours from 11am-4pm. Afghani chicken, tempura prawns and French fries are the only food I have tried from there and I highly recommend them. It tends to get crowded during the evenings and on weekends.

Wimbledon Overall Records

Wimbledon Men’s Records

Winner of most Gentlemen’s Singles titles

(8) Roger Federer

Winner of most consecutive Gentlemen’s Singles titles

(6) William Renshaw

Winner of most Gentlemen’s Doubles titles

(9) Todd Woodbridge

Winner of most consecutive Gentlemen’s Doubles titles

(5) Reginald Doherty & Laurence Doherty,and Todd Woodbridge & Mark Woodforde

Winner of most Mixed Doubles titles

(4) Ken Fletcher & Vic Seixas, and Owen Davidson & Leander Paes

Winner of most Championships (total: singles, doubles, mixed)

(13) Laurence Doherty

Women’s Records at Wimbledon

Winner of most Ladies’ Singles titles

(9) Martina Navratilova

Winner of most consecutive Ladies’ Singles titles

(6) Martina Navratilova

Winner of most Ladies’ Doubles titles

(12) Elizabeth Ryan

Winner of most consecutive Ladies’ Doubles titles

(4) Martina Navratilova, Pam Shriver, and Natasha Zvereva

Winner of most Mixed Doubles titles

(7) Elizabeth Ryan

Winner of most Championships (total: singles, doubles, mixed)

(20) Martina Navratilova, Billie Jean King