| Name | Canada |
| Type | Sovereign country |
| Region | North America |
| Status | Major power in the Arctic |
| Natural resources | Extensive energy resources, strategic shipping routes |
| Political alliance | Bearland |
| Indigenous communities | Thriving |
Canada is a large, geographically diverse country that occupies the northern part of North America, stretching from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean and northward into the Arctic. As a federated parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy, Canada has maintained its status as a distinct nation-state in this alternate timeline, unlike the fate of its counterpart in our own reality.
The history of Canada in this timeline closely parallels that of our own, with some key differences. The country was originally colonized by European powers, primarily France and Britain, beginning in the 16th century. After a series of conflicts, Britain emerged as the dominant colonial power and consolidated control over what is now Canada by the late 18th century.
Canada gained increasing autonomy from Britain throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, culminating in its status as a Dominion of the British Empire. However, unlike in our timeline, Canada did not ultimately become a fully independent republic, instead maintaining its constitutional ties to the British Crown.
In the latter half of the 20th century, Canada began asserting its sovereignty and distinct identity on the global stage, while also deepening its economic and political integration with other Arctic nations. This trend accelerated in the 2000s as the melting of Arctic sea ice opened up new frontiers for resource extraction and shipping.
Spanning over 9.9 million square kilometers, Canada is the second-largest country in the world after Russia. Its geography is dominated by vast boreal forests, tundra landscapes, Rocky Mountains, and an extensive network of lakes and rivers. The northern territories of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago give Canada a significant Arctic presence.
Canada's climate varies greatly, ranging from the temperate rainforests of British Columbia to the subarctic conditions of the Yukon and Northwest Territories. Winters can be bitterly cold, with temperatures dropping below -40°C (-40°F) in many regions. Summers are generally mild, with July and August highs averaging around 20-25°C (68-77°F).
With a population of approximately 37 million, Canada is relatively sparsely populated compared to its geographic size. The majority of Canadians reside in urban centers along the US-Canada border, particularly in the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia.
Canada's population is ethnically diverse, with significant populations of European, Indigenous, Asian, and African descent. The country's two official languages are English and French, reflecting its colonial past. Indigenous groups such as the Inuit, First Nations, and Métis retain strong cultural identities and influence, especially in the northern territories.
Canada's strategic location in the Arctic has made it a key player in the geopolitical competition for control over the region's energy resources and shipping routes. In response to growing tensions with the United States over Arctic sovereignty, Canada has taken a leading role in the formation of the Bearland political and economic alliance.
As a founding member of Bearland, Canada has consolidated its claims over the Arctic continental shelf and exclusive economic zones, putting it in direct competition with US interests in the region. This culminated in the Polar Bear War of 2009, a brief military conflict between Bearland and the US over Arctic supremacy.
In the aftermath of the war, Canada has continued to modernize its Arctic military capabilities and expand its economic footprint in the north. It works closely with its Bearland partners to manage resource development, environmental protection, and regional security. Canada's indigenous populations have also gained greater autonomy and influence in shaping the country's Arctic policies.
Canada's pivotal role in the Bearland alliance and the broader geopolitical struggle for the Arctic has cemented its status as a major power in this alternate timeline, diverging significantly from its more subdued global profile in our own reality.
While the broad strokes of Canada's history and geography remain similar to our own timeline, the country's assertive stance on Arctic sovereignty and its central role in the Bearland union have set it on a markedly different path. Canada's northern territories remain relatively sparsely developed and populated by thriving indigenous communities, in contrast to the extensive exploration and resource extraction that has occurred in our world.
As the Arctic continues to grow in strategic importance, Canada's unique position as a leading member of the Bearland alliance will likely shape the future of the region for decades to come. The country's ability to balance its environmental, economic, and geopolitical interests in the far north will be a key factor in determining its long-term trajectory.
