Flag of Canada
What the flag looks like
A red vertical band at each end, each a quarter of the width, with a white square in the center holding a red stylised 11-point maple leaf.
What it means
Red and white were proclaimed Canada's official colors in 1921, and the maple leaf has long been a national emblem.
How to remember it
Canada
is red-white-red standing up with one 11-point maple leaf on a wide white square; Peru
has no leaf and three equal bands.
Fun facts
- The flag was first raised on 15 February 1965, now marked as National Flag of Canada Day.
- The stylised maple leaf has 11 points, although real maple leaves usually have more.
- Canada has the longest coastline of any country in the world.
Canada at a glance
- Capital
- Ottawa
- Region
- North America
- Population
- 41 million
- Area
- 9,984,670 km²
- Languages
- English, French
- Currency
- Canadian dollar ($)
- Flag adopted
- 1965
Flags often confused with Canada
- Peru: Canada and Peru both have vertical red-white-red bands. Peru's three bands are equal with no maple leaf; Canada's white center is twice as wide and holds a red maple leaf.
- Lebanon: Canada and Lebanon are both red and white with a plant emblem in the center. Canada's red bands are vertical at the sides with a red maple leaf; Lebanon's are horizontal with a green cedar.