NunatuKavummiut , also called the "people of NunatuKavut ", are a group of people living in central to southern Labrador who self-identify as being of mixed Inuit and European heritage.
94-638: While some members of NunatuKavut communities have used the term Métis , they are unrelated to the Métis of Western Canada . Nunatuĸavut or NunatuKavut means "Our ancient land" in the traditional Inuttitut dialect of central and southern Labrador. The region claimed by the NunatuKavut Community Council encompasses southern Labrador, from the Grand River (Newfoundland name: Churchill River ), south to Lodge Bay and west to
188-549: A 110-metre (360 ft) tunnel under the border between British Columbia and Washington , intended for the use of smuggling marijuana , the first such tunnel known on this border. From 2007 to 2010, 147 people were arrested for smuggling marijuana on the property of a bed-and-breakfast in Blaine, Washington, but agents estimate that they caught only about 5% of smugglers. Because of its location, Cornwall, Ontario , experiences ongoing smuggling—mostly of tobacco and firearms from
282-507: A Canadian province or territory, or an enhanced identification/photo card issued by a Canadian province or territory. Several other documents may be used by Canadians to identify their citizenship at the border, although the use of such documents requires it to be supported with additional photo identification. American and Canadian citizens who are members of a trusted traveler program such as FAST or NEXUS, may present their FAST or NEXUS card as an alternate form of identification when crossing
376-633: A birth certificate and driver's license/government-issued identification card when crossing the Canada–United States border. However, in late 2006, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the final rule of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), which pertained to new identification requirements for travelers entering the United States. This rule, which marked the first phase of
470-743: A border closure caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada and the United States , the governments of Canada and the United States agreed to close the border to "non-essential" travel on March 21, 2020, for an initial period of 30 days. The closure was extended 15 times. In mid-June 2021, the Canadian government announced it would ease some entry requirements for fully vaccinated Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and foreign nationals starting on July 5. The closure finally expired on July 21. In mid-July,
564-646: A border, the flatness of the terrain made it difficult to locate this line. The treaty extinguished British claims to the south of the 49th in the Red River Valley , which was part of Rupert's Land . The treaty also extinguished U.S. claims to land north of the 49th in the watershed of the Missouri River , which was part of the Louisiana Purchase . Along the 49th parallel, the border vista is theoretically straight, but in practice follows
658-442: A continental climate and experience extremes in weather. Winters in both provinces can be classified as harsh with Arctic winds and −40 °C (−40 °F) temperatures possible. Winter temperatures in both provinces average between −10 and −15 °C (14 and 5 °F). In contrast, summers can be hot with temperatures exceeding 35 °C (95 °F) at least once per year in most locations. In Canadian politics, Western Canada
752-707: A history of support in Manitoba and British Columbia. The western provinces are represented in the Parliament of Canada by 104 Members of Parliament (MPs) in the House of Commons (British Columbia 42, Alberta 34, Saskatchewan and Manitoba 14 each) and 24 senators (6 from each province). Currently, of the 104 western MPs in the Commons, 64 are Conservatives, Liberals hold 21 seats, the New Democrats hold 18 and
846-419: A land or sea port-of-entry (including ferries ) has been required to present one of the above forms of identification to enter the United States. Conversely, to cross into Canada, a traveler must also carry identification, as well as a valid visa (if necessary) when crossing the border. Forms of identification include a valid passport, a Canadian Emergency Travel Document, an enhanced driver's license issued by
940-405: A process that made their crossing more tedious, believing it violated their treaty rights of free passage. When traveling from the U.S. to Cornwall Island , they must first cross a second bridge into Canada, for inspection at the new Canadian border station. Discussions between inter-governmental agencies were being pursued on the feasibility of relocating the Canadian border inspection facilities on
1034-462: A region of southern shore of Lake Melville and southern Labrador that encompasses communities from Mud Lake in southeast Lake Melville to the modern border of Labrador and Quebec. While recent leadership of Nunatsiavut and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami continue to make claims against the indigeneity of NunatuKavummiut based on the intermixing of European men, many Inuit in the southern parts of Nunatsiavut are also descended from fur traders that worked in
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#17327721858241128-521: A sharp turn towards the northeast. The border then reaches the St. Lawrence River, proceeding through it until finally, at 45°00′N 74°40′W / 45.000°N 74.667°W / 45.000; -74.667 (between Massena, New York and Cornwall, Ontario ), the border splits from the river and continues into Quebec. The province of Quebec borders (west to east) the U.S. states of New York, Vermont , New Hampshire , and Maine , beginning where
1222-619: A water boundary. It begins at the north-westernmost point of Minnesota's Northwest Angle ( 49°23′N 95°09′W / 49.383°N 95.150°W / 49.383; -95.150 ). From here, it proceeds eastward through the Angle Inlet into the Lake of the Woods , turning southward at 49°19′N 94°48′W / 49.317°N 94.800°W / 49.317; -94.800 (near Dawson Township, Ontario ) where it continues into
1316-667: Is also composed of members from the federal Conservative Party's right-wing and many former Reform Party supporters. Following the 2017 provincial election in British Columbia, the British Columbia New Democratic Party formed a minority government with the support of the British Columbia Green Party , following the defeat of Christy Clark 's Liberal Party government by a vote of non-confidence. As of October 2020,
1410-606: Is currently associated with a general Conservative Party lean, contrasted with a proportionally greater Liberal Party lean in Central and Atlantic Canada . Liberal Party strongholds exist particularly in Greater Vancouver and Winnipeg. The social democratic New Democratic Party had its origins on the Canadian Prairies and in the mining and pulp mill towns and railway camps of British Columbia and has
1504-733: Is largest city proper at over 1.2 million people. As of the 2016 Census, Statistics Canada recognized ten census metropolitan areas within Western Canada, including four in British Columbia, three in Alberta, two in Saskatchewan, and one in Manitoba. The following is a list of these areas and their populations as of 2016. From 2011 to 2016, the fastest growing CMAs in the country were the five in Alberta and Saskatchewan: Calgary (+14.6%), Edmonton (+13.9%), Saskatoon (+12.5%), Regina (+11.8%) and Lethbridge (+10.8%). These were
1598-634: Is mostly on the western side of the Canadian Rockies and often referred to as the " west coast ", and the "Prairie Provinces" (commonly known as "the Prairies "), which include those provinces on the eastern side of the Rockies yet west of Ontario - Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Alberta and British Columbia are also sometimes subcategorized together, either as the "Rockie Provinces" or "mountain provinces" owing to both hosting large swathes of
1692-414: Is no border zone ; the U.S. Customs and Border Protection routinely sets up checkpoints as far as 100 miles (160 km) into U.S. territory. In August 2020, the United States constructed 3.8 km (2.4 mi) of short cable fencing along the border between Abbotsford, British Columbia , and Whatcom County, Washington . Before 2007, American and Canadian citizens were only required to produce
1786-516: Is one of the world's largest net exporters of both energy and agricultural commodities. Approximate breakdown: Energy: Agriculture: Canada%E2%80%93United States border The Canada–United States border is the longest international border in the world. The boundary (including boundaries in the Great Lakes , Atlantic, and Pacific coasts) is 8,891 km (5,525 mi) long. The land border has two sections: Canada 's border with
1880-399: Is open to cold Arctic weather systems from the north, which often produce extremely cold conditions in winter. Winters are generally quite cold, though some areas can experience a phenomenon known as the " Chinook wind ", wherein warm winds raise the winter temperatures temporarily. In contrast, summers can fluctuate from cool to hot and are generally wetter. Saskatchewan and Manitoba have
1974-642: The American Revolutionary War between Great Britain and the United States. In the second article of the Treaty, the parties agreed on all boundaries of the United States, including, but not limited to, the boundary to the north along what was then British North America . The agreed-upon boundary included the line from the northwest angle of Nova Scotia to the northwesternmost head of the Connecticut River and proceeded down along
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#17327721858242068-751: The Appalachian Mountains as it turns into the border of Maine. It continues to do so until 46°25′N 70°03′W / 46.417°N 70.050°W / 46.417; -70.050 (near Saint-Camille-de-Lellis, Quebec on the Canadian side, and unorganized territory on the American side), where it heads north, then northeastward at 46°41′N 69°59′W / 46.683°N 69.983°W / 46.683; -69.983 (near Lac-Frontière, Quebec ). Finally, at 47°27′N 69°13′W / 47.450°N 69.217°W / 47.450; -69.217 (near Pohénégamook , Quebec),
2162-454: The Basque and French whalers beginning in the mid-1500s. During the 19th century, some European men, settled, took Inuit wives , and permanently assimilated into the local culture. Although influenced in many ways by prolonged contact with seasonal workers and merchants, the culture and way of life has remained distinctly Inuit . The traditional territory of NunatuKavummiut consists of
2256-743: The Fairweather Glacier ), where the border heads northwestward towards the Coast Mountains . At 59°48′N 135°28′W / 59.800°N 135.467°W / 59.800; -135.467 (near Skagway, Alaska ), the border begins a general southeastward direction along the Coast Mountains. The border eventually reaches the Portland Canal and follows it outward to the Dixon Entrance , which takes
2350-653: The International Boundary Commission , which was charged with surveying and mapping the boundary. It also provided for the removal of British forces from Detroit , as well as other frontier outposts on the U.S. side. The Jay Treaty was superseded by the Treaty of Ghent (effective 1815) concluding the War of 1812 , which included pre-war boundaries. Signed in December 1814, the Treaty of Ghent ended
2444-512: The Pacific Ocean to the west, while Manitoba has a coastline on Hudson Bay in its northeast of the province. Both Alberta and Saskatchewan are landlocked between British Columbia and Manitoba. The Canadian Prairies are part of a vast sedimentary plain covering much of Alberta, southern Saskatchewan, and southwestern Manitoba. The prairies form a significant portion of the land area of Western Canada. The plains generally describes
2538-809: The Rainy River . The border follows the River to Rainy Lake , then subsequently through various smaller lakes, including Namakan Lake, Lac la Croix , and Sea Gull Lake . The border then crosses the Height of Land Portage over the divide between the Hudson Bay drainage basin, and that of the Great Lakes. The boundary then follows the Pigeon River , which leads it out into Lake Superior. The border continues through Lake Superior and Whitefish Bay , into
2632-491: The Saint John River . The border moves through the River until 47°04′N 67°47′W / 47.067°N 67.783°W / 47.067; -67.783 (between Hamlin, Maine and Grand Falls, New Brunswick ), where it splits from the river. It heads southward to 45°56′N 67°47′W / 45.933°N 67.783°W / 45.933; -67.783 (near Amity, Maine ), from whence it follows
2726-463: The Sandwich Bay area, and other archeological and anthropological evidence suggests with some certainty that they lived year round as far south as the modern day southern border between Labrador and Quebec, though occupation was likely much more extensive and consistent than that as most NunatuKavummiut lived a transhumant semi-nomadic way of life until the mid-1900s. Inuit were in conflict with
2820-638: The St. Clair River , leading it to Lake St. Clair . The border proceeds through Lake St. Clair, reaching the Detroit River , which leads it to Lake Erie , where it begins turning northeast. From Lake Erie, the border is led into the Niagara River , which takes it into Lake Ontario . From here, the boundary heads northwestward until it reaches 43°27′N 79°12′W / 43.450°N 79.200°W / 43.450; -79.200 , where it makes
2914-588: The St. Mary's River then the North Channel . At 45°59′N 83°26′W / 45.983°N 83.433°W / 45.983; -83.433 (between Drummond Township, Michigan to the west and Cockburn Island (Ontario) to the east), the border turns southward into the False Detour Channel , from which it reaches Lake Huron . Through the Lake, the border heads southward until reaching
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3008-631: The United States–Mexico border (which is one-third the length of the Canada–U.S. border), which is actively patrolled by U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel to prevent illegal migration and drug trafficking . Parts of the International Boundary cross through mountainous terrain or heavily forested areas, but significant portions also cross remote prairie farmland and the Great Lakes and Saint Lawrence River, in addition to
3102-692: The contiguous United States to its south, and with the U.S. state of Alaska to its west. The bi-national International Boundary Commission deals with matters relating to marking and maintaining the boundary, and the International Joint Commission deals with issues concerning boundary waters. The agencies responsible for facilitating legal passage through the international boundary are the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The Treaty of Paris of 1783 ended
3196-599: The 19th-century surveyed border markers and varies by several hundred feet in spots. Disputes over the interpretation of the border treaties and mistakes in surveying required additional negotiations, which resulted in the Webster–Ashburton Treaty of 1842. The treaty resolved the Aroostook War , a dispute over the boundary between Maine , New Brunswick , and the Province of Canada . The treaty redefined
3290-583: The BC NDP hold a majority government in the legislature. The New Democratic Party holds a majority in the Manitoba legislature. The 2023 Alberta general election reduced the United Conservative Party 's seat count, but they held on to a majority. The Saskatchewan Party holds a supermajority government in its legislature. Energy and agriculture are Western Canada's dominant industries – and this region, with only 11 million inhabitants,
3384-663: The British team. This survey focused on the border from the Lake of the Woods to the summit of the Rocky Mountains. In 1903, following a dispute that arose because of the Klondike Gold Rush , a joint United Kingdom–Canada–U.S. tribunal established the boundary of southeast Alaska . On April 11, 1908, the United Kingdom and the United States agreed, under Article IV of the Treaty of 1908 "concerning
3478-539: The CBP on the Northern border that adversely affect enforcement actions; the U.S. Border Patrol "identified an insufficient number of agents that limited patrol missions along the northern border" while CBP Air and Marine Operations "identified an insufficient number of agents along the northern border, which limited the number and frequency of air and maritime missions." There are eight U.S. Border Patrol sectors based on
3572-523: The Canada–U.S. border, each covering a designated "area of responsibility"; the sectors are (from west to east) based in Blaine, Washington ; Spokane, Washington ; Havre, Montana ; Grand Forks, North Dakota ; Detroit, Michigan ; Buffalo, New York ; Swanton, Vermont ; and Houlton, Maine . Following the September 11 attacks in the United States, security along the border was dramatically tightened by
3666-544: The Canadian border. Smuggling of alcoholic beverages ( "rum running" ) was widespread during the 1920s, when Prohibition was in effect nationally in the United States and parts of Canada . In more recent years, Canadian officials have brought attention to drug , cigarette , and firearm smuggling from the United States, while U.S. officials have made complaints of drug smuggling via Canada. In July 2005, law enforcement personnel arrested three men who had built
3760-472: The Canadian government announced that fully vaccinated American citizens and permanent residents could visit Canada starting August 9. The American government reopened its land border to fully vaccinated Canadian citizens effective November 8. The 2020–21 closure was reportedly the first long-term blanket closure of the border since the War of 1812. Business advocacy groups, noting the substantial economic impact of
3854-515: The Greens hold 1. Western alienation refers to the notion that Western Canada has been excluded economically and politically from the rest of Canada. The West has been the most vocal in calls for reform of the Senate , in which Ontario, Quebec , and particularly Atlantic Canada are seen by some westerners as being over-represented. The population of Ontario alone (13.1 million) exceeds that of all
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3948-680: The Hudson's Bay Company, which controlled most of the current area of Western Canada, northern Ontario and northern Quebec, the area known as Rupert's Land and the North-Western Territory . In 1870, the British government transferred the lands of the company to Canada. The area of Western Canada not within British Columbia was established as the Northwest Territories under Canadian control. The western provinces other than British Columbia were established from areas of
4042-592: The Labrador Métis Nation (formerly Labrador Métis Association). They are members of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples along with other non-Status Aboriginal groups. NunatuKavummiut claim NunatuKavut as their homeland, and are in process of launching an Aboriginal land claim with the Canadian courts. They are also active in the debates over the Lower Churchill hydroelectric project, and
4136-495: The Northwest Territories: As of the 2016 Census , the total population of Western Canada was nearly 11.1 million, including approximately 4.65 million in British Columbia, 4.07 million in Alberta, 1.1 million in Saskatchewan, and 1.28 million in Manitoba. This represents 31.5% of Canada's population. Vancouver is the largest metropolitan area in Western Canada at nearly 2.5 million people, while Calgary
4230-498: The Ontario-New York border ends in the St. Lawrence River at the 45th parallel north . The Quebec-New York border heads inland towards the east, remaining on or near the parallel, becoming the border of Vermont . At 45°00′N 71°30′W / 45.000°N 71.500°W / 45.000; -71.500 (the tripoint of Vermont, New Hampshire , and Quebec), the border begins to follow various natural features of
4324-471: The Pacific Ocean. Winters are typically wet and summers relatively dry. These areas enjoy the mildest winter weather in all of Canada, as temperatures rarely fall much below the freezing mark. The mountainous Interior of the province is drier and has colder winters, but experiences hotter summers than the more moderate coastal areas. Lytton, British Columbia , a small town that sits at the confluence of
4418-538: The Rocky Mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. The Canadian Rockies are part of a major continental divide that extends north and south through western North America and western South America . The continental divide also defines much of the border between Alberta and British Columbia. The Columbia and the Fraser Rivers have their headwaters in the Canadian Rockies and are
4512-713: The Senate were a body that had more direct political power (for example via an arrangement more similar to the structure of the Australian Senate or the United States Senate rather than the UK model), then their region would have more of its concerns addressed at the federal level. Other westerners find this approach simplistic and either advocate keeping the status quo or may support other models for senate reform. The combination of all of these issues has led to
4606-442: The Thompson River holds the record for the hottest temperature ever recorded in Canada at 49.6 °C (121.3 °F) on 29 June 2021, and is regularly referred as Canada's hot spot in summer with temperatures easily reaching the mid to high 30 °C 's (upper 90s to low 100s °F) in July and August and sometimes top 40 °C (104 °F). Alberta has a dry continental climate with warm summers and cold winters. The province
4700-650: The U.S. Residents of both nations who own property adjacent to the border are forbidden to build within the 6-metre-wide (20 ft) boundary vista without permission from the International Boundary Commission. They are required to report such construction to their respective governments. All persons crossing the border are required to report to the customs agency of the country they have entered. Where necessary, fences or vehicle blockades are used. In remote areas, where staffed border crossings are not available, there are hidden sensors on roads, trails, railways, and wooded areas, which are located near crossing points. There
4794-411: The U.S. side of the border. In August 2017, the border between Quebec and New York saw an influx of up to 500 irregular crossings each day, by individuals seeking asylum in Canada. As a result, Canada increased border security and immigration staffing in the area, reiterating the fact that crossing the border irregularly did not affect one's asylum status. From the beginning of January 2017 up until
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#17327721858244888-494: The U.S. state of Alaska , beginning at the Beaufort Sea at 69°39′N 141°00′W / 69.650°N 141.000°W / 69.650; -141.000 and proceeding southwards along the 141st meridian west . At 60°18′N, the border proceeds away from the 141st meridian west in a southeastward direction, following the Saint Elias Mountains . South of the 60th parallel north , the border continues into British Columbia. British Columbia has two international borders with
4982-418: The U.S. west of the Rockies to be 54°40′N related to the southern boundary of Russia's Alaska Territory . However, Great Britain wanted a border that followed the Columbia River to the Pacific Ocean. The dispute was resolved in the Oregon Treaty of 1846, which established the 49th parallel as the boundary through the Rockies. The Northwest Boundary Survey (1857–1861) laid out the land boundary. However,
5076-402: The United States and what is now Ontario . Northwest of Lake Superior , the boundary followed rivers to the Lake of the Woods . From the northwesternmost point of the Lake of the Woods , the boundary was agreed to go straight west until it met the Mississippi River . That line never meets the river since the river's source is farther south. The Jay Treaty of 1794 (effective 1796) created
5170-449: The United States. The neighboring Mohawk territory of Akwesasne straddles the Ontario–Quebec–New York borders, where its First Nations sovereignty prevents Ontario Provincial Police , Sûreté du Québec , Royal Canadian Mounted Police , Canada Border Services Agency, Canadian Coast Guard , United States Border Patrol , United States Coast Guard , and New York State Police from exercising jurisdiction over exchanges taking place within
5264-448: The United States: with the state of Alaska along BC's northwest, and with the contiguous United States along the southern edge of the province, including (west to east) Washington , Idaho , and Montana . BC's Alaskan border, continuing from Yukon's, proceeds through the Saint Elias Mountains , followed by Mount Fairweather at 58°54′N 137°31′W / 58.900°N 137.517°W / 58.900; -137.517 (near
5358-428: The War of 1812 and also laid out preliminary principles for drawing a border between British North America and the United States. The Treaty of 1818 saw the expansion of both British North America and the United States, with their boundary extending westward along the 49th parallel , from the Northwest Angle at Lake of the Woods to the Rocky Mountains . While the Laurentian Divide had previously been agreed to as
5452-416: The War of 1812, returning the boundaries of British North America and the United States to the state they were before the war. In the following decades, the United States and the United Kingdom concluded several treaties that settled the major boundary disputes between the two, enabling the border to be demilitarized . The Rush–Bagot Treaty of 1817 provided a plan for demilitarizing the two combatant sides in
5546-515: The arrival of European colonization . As Britain colonized the West, it established treaties with various First Nations, took control of other areas without opposition and fought with other First Nations for control of Western Canada. Not all lands were ceded by the First Nations to British control and land claims are still ongoing. In 1858, the British government established the Colony of British Columbia , governing that part of Canada still known as British Columbia. The English government established
5640-470: The border between New Hampshire , Vermont, and New York on the one hand, and the Province of Canada on the other, resolving the Indian Stream dispute and the Fort Blunder dilemma at the outlet to Lake Champlain . The part of the 45th parallel that separates Quebec from the U.S. states of Vermont and New York had first been surveyed from 1771 to 1773 after it had been declared the boundary between New York (including what later became Vermont) and Quebec. It
5734-462: The border down and out into the Pacific Ocean, terminating it upon reaching international waters . BC's border along the contiguous U.S. begins southwest of Vancouver Island and northwest of the Olympic Peninsula , at the terminus of international waters in the Pacific Ocean and the northwest corner of the American state of Washington . It follows the Strait of Juan de Fuca eastward, turning northeastward to enter Haro Strait . The border follows
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#17327721858245828-416: The border heads toward Beau Lake , going through it and continuing into New Brunswick. The entire border of New Brunswick is shared with the U.S. state of Maine, beginning at the southern tip of Beau Lake at 47°18′N 69°03′W / 47.300°N 69.050°W / 47.300; -69.050 (between Rivière-Bleue , Quebec and Saint-François Parish, New Brunswick ), subsequently proceeding to
5922-538: The border with Canada in connection with the pandemic. He later abandoned the idea following vocal opposition from Canadian officials. The International Boundary is commonly said to be the world's "longest undefended border", though this is true only in the military sense, as civilian law enforcement is present. It is illegal to cross the border outside border controls, as anyone crossing the border must be checked per immigration and customs laws. The relatively low level of security measures stands in contrast to that of
6016-410: The boundary between the United States and the Dominion of Canada from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean", to survey and delimit the boundary between Canada and the U.S. through the St. Lawrence River and Great Lakes, by modern surveying techniques, and thus accomplished several changes to the border. In 1925, the International Boundary Commission's temporary mission became permanent for maintaining
6110-439: The closure on both sides of the border, called for more nuanced restrictions in place of the blanket ban on non-essential travel. The Northern Border Caucus, a group in the U.S. Congress composed of members from border communities, made similar suggestions to the governments of both countries. Beyond the closure itself, US President Donald Trump also initially suggested the idea of deploying United States military personnel near
6204-415: The concept known as Western alienation , as well as calls for Western Canada independence by various fringe groups. Regarding provincial politics, from May 2001 to June 2017, the British Columbia Liberal Party formed the provincial government in British Columbia, though despite the name is not formally allied with the federal Liberal Party and is widely seen as centre-right or conservative in nature. It
6298-436: The dam at Muskrat Falls . Western Canada Western Canada , also referred to as the Western provinces , Canadian West or the Western provinces of Canada, and commonly known within Canada as the West , is a Canadian region that includes the four western provinces just north of the Canada–United States border namely (from west to east) British Columbia , Alberta , Saskatchewan and Manitoba . The people of
6392-453: The descendants of Inuit who occupied and used the southern shore of Lake Melville and the coastal regions of Labrador south of Groswater Bay for thousands of years, long before the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador made any real foray into the area in the early 20th century. According to widely accepted theory, Inuit arrived in Labrador in the 15th century from Baffin Island . Archeological evidence shows they lived as far south as
6486-662: The end of March 2018, the RCMP intercepted 25,645 people crossing the border into Canada from an unauthorized point of entry. Public Safety Canada estimates another 2,500 came across in April 2018 for a total of just over 28,000. The length of the terrestrial boundary is 8,891 km (5,525 mi), of which 6,416 km (3,987 mi) is against the contiguous 48 states , and 2,475 km (1,538 mi) against Alaska . Eight out of thirteen provinces and territories of Canada and thirteen out of fifty U.S. states are located along this international boundary. The Canadian territory of Yukon shares its entire western border with
6580-418: The entire Canada–U.S. border in Manitoba lies along the 49th parallel north. At the province's eastern end, however, the border briefly enters the Lake of the Woods, turning north at 48°59′N 95°09′W / 48.983°N 95.150°W / 48.983; -95.150 where it continues into the land along the western end of Minnesota's Northwest Angle , the only part of the United States besides
6674-412: The expanses of largely flat, arable agricultural land which sustain extensive grain farming operations in the southern part of the provinces. Despite this, some areas such as the Cypress Hills and Alberta Badlands are quite hilly and the prairie provinces contain large areas of forest such as the Mid-Continental Canadian forests . In Alberta and British Columbia, the Canadian Cordillera is bounded by
6768-631: The extent of the official border between Quebec and Labrador. However, their proposed land use area is much more extensive. The NunatuKavut Community Council and its approximately 6,000 members have not been recognized by other Indigenous groups and organizations, such as the Nunatsiavut Government, the Innu Nation , Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami , and the Inuit Circumpolar Council . NunatuKavummiut claim to be
6862-650: The flag of the Mohawk people. Although U.S. Customs remained open to southbound traffic, northbound traffic was blocked on the U.S. side by both American and Canadian officials. The Canadian border at this crossing remained closed for six weeks. On July 13, 2009, the CBSA opened a temporary inspection station at the north end of the north span of the bridge in the city of Cornwall, allowing traffic to once again flow in both directions. The Mohawk people of Akwesasne have staged ongoing protests at this border. In 2014, they objected to
6956-408: The four western provinces, from west to east, are: With the exception of Winnipeg, which is the largest city in Manitoba, all other western provincial capitals are in the second-largest metropolitan areas of their respective province. The largest cities are Vancouver , Calgary , and Saskatoon respectively. Western Canada is the traditional territory of Indigenous and First Nations predating
7050-616: The initiative, was implemented on January 23, 2007, specifying six forms of identification acceptable for crossing the U.S. border (depending on mode): The requirement of a passport or an enhanced form of identification to enter the United States by air went into effect in January 2007; and went into effect for those entering the U.S. by land and sea in January 2008. Although the new requirements for land and sea entry went into legal effect in January 2008, its enforcement did not begin until June 2009. Since June 2009, every traveler arriving via
7144-424: The international boundary by land or sea, or when arriving by air from only Canada or the United States. Although permanent residents of Canada and the United States are eligible for FAST or NEXUS, they are required to travel with a passport and proof of permanent residency upon arrival at the Canadian border. American permanent residents who are NEXUS members also require Electronic Travel Authorization when crossing
7238-783: The maritime components of the boundary at the Atlantic , Pacific , and Arctic oceans. The border also runs through the middle of the Mohawk Nation at Akwesasne and even divides some buildings found in communities in New England and Quebec. The US Customs and Border Protection identifies the chief issues along the border as domestic and international terrorism; drug smuggling and smuggling of products (such as tobacco ) to evade customs duties; and illegal immigration. A June 2019 U.S. Government Accountability Office report identified specific staffing and resource shortfalls faced by
7332-465: The middle of the river to the 45th parallel of north latitude . The parallel had been established in the 1760s as the boundary between the provinces of Quebec and New York (including what would later become the State of Vermont ). It was surveyed and marked by John Collins and Thomas Valentine from 1771 to 1773. The St. Lawrence River and the Great Lakes became the boundary further west, between
7426-498: The mountain range, or due to shared socioeconomic factors such as their highly urbanized populations (three of Canada's five largest cities are Calgary , Edmonton , and Vancouver ) and significant interprovincial mobility between the two. Alberta and Saskatchewan, having once been united as a single territory, are also sometimes subcategorized together due to shared political and economic histories, as well as similar historic migratory patterns from Eastern Europe. The capital cities of
7520-405: The only CMAs in the country to register growth over 10%. The three fastest growing CMAs - Calgary, Edmonton, and Saskatoon - were unchanged from the previous intercensal period. Western Canada consists of the country's four westernmost provinces: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. It covers 2.9 million square kilometres – almost 29% of Canada's land area. British Columbia adjoins
7614-422: The provinces of both Alberta and Saskatchewan lies along the 49th parallel north. Both provinces share borders with the state of Montana , while, farther east, Saskatchewan also shares a border with North Dakota . On the American side, the states of Montana, North Dakota , and Minnesota all lie on the straight part of the border. Along with the U.S. states of North Dakota and Minnesota (west to east), nearly
7708-424: The region are often referred to as "Western Canadians" or "Westerners", and though diverse from province to province are largely seen as being collectively distinct from other Canadians along cultural, linguistic, socioeconomic, geographic and political lines. They account for approximately 32% of Canada's total population. The region is further subdivided geographically and culturally between British Columbia, which
7802-530: The region in the last couple of hundred years. Like all Indigenous Nations in Newfoundland and Labrador, including Nunatsiavut, Innu Nation, and the Conne River Mi'kmaq, NunatuKavut also has a large diaspora in many other parts of Newfoundland and Labrador and across the world. NunatuKavummiut are today represented by the NunatuKavut Community Council which was formed in 2010 from its predecessor
7896-599: The second- and third-largest rivers, respectively, to drain to the west coast of North America. To the west of their headwaters, across the Rocky Mountain Trench , is a second belt of mountains, the Columbia Mountains , comprising the Selkirk , Purcell , Monashee and Cariboo Mountains sub-ranges. The coast of British Columbia enjoys a moderate oceanic climate because of the influence of
7990-401: The state of Alaska that is north of the 49th parallel. The border reaches Ontario at 49°23′N 95°09′W / 49.383°N 95.150°W / 49.383; -95.150 . The province of Ontario shares its border (west to east) with the U.S. states of Minnesota, Michigan , Ohio , Pennsylvania , and New York . The largest provincial international border, most of the border is
8084-830: The strait in a northward direction, but turns sharply eastward through Boundary Pass , separating the Canadian Gulf Islands from the American San Juan Islands . Upon reaching the Strait of Georgia , the border turns due north and then towards the northwest, bisecting the strait until the 49th parallel north. After making a sharp turn eastbound, the border follows this parallel across the Tsawwassen Peninsula , separating Point Roberts, Washington , from Delta, British Columbia , and continues into Alberta. The entire Canada–U.S. border in
8178-489: The survey and mapping of the border; maintaining boundary monuments and buoys; and keeping the border clear of brush and vegetation for 6 m (20 ft). This " border vista " extends for 3 m (9.8 ft) on each side of the line. In 1909, under the Boundary Waters Treaty , the International Joint Commission was established for Canada and the U.S. to investigate and approve projects that affect
8272-494: The territory. In May 2009, the Mohawk people of Akwesasne occupied the area around the Canada Border Services Agency port of entry building to protest the Canadian government's decision to arm its border agents while operating on Mohawk territory. The north span of the Seaway International Bridge and the CBSA inspection facilities were closed. During this occupation, the Canadian flag was replaced with
8366-531: The two countries in both populated and rural areas. Both nations are also actively involved in detailed and extensive tactical and strategic intelligence sharing. In December 2010, Canada and the United States were negotiating an agreement titled "Beyond the Border: A Shared Vision for Perimeter Security and Competitiveness" which would give the U.S. more influence over Canada's border security and immigration controls, and more information would be shared by Canada with
8460-667: The water boundary was not settled for some time. After the Pig War in 1859, arbitration in 1872 established the border between the Gulf Islands and the San Juan Islands . The International Boundary Survey (or, the "Northern Boundary Survey" in the U.S.) began in 1872. Its mandate was to establish the border as agreed to in the Treaty of 1818. Archibald Campbell led the way for the United States, while Donald Cameron, supported by chief astronomer Samuel Anderson , headed
8554-410: The waters and waterways along the border. As a result of the 2001 September 11 attacks , the Canada–U.S. border was shut without any warning, and no goods or people were allowed to cross. In the wake of the impromptu border closure, procedures were jointly developed to ensure that commercial traffic could cross the border even if people were restricted from crossing. These procedures were later used for
8648-580: The western provinces combined. The total population of Atlantic Canada, however, is 2.3 million, and this region is represented by 30 senators. Thus, Ontario is under-represented, Quebec has representation proportional to its population and the Atlantic provinces are over-represented. Westerners have advocated the so-called Triple-E Senate , which stands for "equal, elected, effective." They feel if all 10 provinces were allotted an equal number of senators, if those senators were elected instead of appointed, and if
8742-603: Was in Canada, which created a dilemma for the U.S. that was not resolved until a provision of the treaty left the border on the meandering line as surveyed. The border along the Boundary Waters in present-day Ontario and Minnesota between Lake Superior and the Northwest Angle was also redefined. An 1844 boundary dispute during the Presidency of James K. Polk led to a call for the northern boundary of
8836-422: Was surveyed again after the War of 1812. The U.S. federal government began to construct fortifications just south of the border at Rouses Point, New York , on Lake Champlain. After a significant portion of the construction was completed, measurements revealed that at that point, the actual 45th parallel was three-quarters of a mile (1.2 km) south of the surveyed line. The fort, which became known as " Fort Blunder ",
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