Capital city Ottawa (population 774,072)

Language English and French

Religion 46 per cent Roman Catholic, 36 per cent Protestant, 18 per cent other

Government Confederation with parliamentary democracy

Head of state Queen Elizabeth II (represented by Governor General Adrienne Clarkson since October 7, 1999)

Head of government Prime Minister Paul Martin (since December 12, 2003)

GDP US$1.023 trillion last year

Natural resources Iron ore, nickel, zinc, copper, gold, lead, molybdenum, potash, diamonds, silver, fish, timber, wildlife, coal, petroleum, natural gas, hydropower

Major industries Transport equipment, chemicals, processed and unprocessed minerals, food products, wood and paper products, fish products, petroleum and natural gas

Major trading partners United States, China, Japan and Britain