Canada Provinces and Territories Guide: Everything You Need to Know
Second largest in the world by total area, Canada stretches from the western coast of the Americas to the eastern edge. Rich in character and vast in offering, Canada's 10 provinces and 3 territories share some of the world's most rugged and beautiful destinations.
Whether you are planning a coast-to-coast road trip or you just want to know more about the various regions of Canada, this comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about the country’s provinces and territories.
Provinces vs. Territories: What’s the Difference?
Firstly lets talk about the difference between provinces and territories in Canada. It boils down to governance. Provinces have their own government powers, thanks to Canada’s Constitution Act, meaning they handle things like education and health care on their own. Territories, on the other hand, rely more directly on the federal government for funding and decision-making.
With that out of the way, let's dive into each province and territory because each one is like its own world with a personality all its own.
The 10 provinces of Canada:
Let's break the provinces down from east to west.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Capital: St. John’s
Highlights: Coastal cliffs, vibrant culture, and icebergs in Iceberg Alley
Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada’s easternmost province, has a personality as big as its rocky cliffs. This is where you’ll find St. John’s, one of North America’s oldest cities, known for its Jelly bean houses and thriving arts and music scene. The island of Newfoundland feels like a place where time slows down, and its landscapes are straight out of a painting, especially in spring and summer when towering icebergs float by in Iceberg Alley.
Don’t Miss: The L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site, a UNESCO site marking the landing of Norse Vikings over a thousand years ago.
Prince Edward Island (PEI)
Capital: Charlottetown
Highlights: Red sand beaches, lush farmland, and Anne of Green Gables
PEI may be Canada’s smallest province, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in charm. It’s known for rolling hills, scenic drives, and some of the friendliest locals you’ll ever meet. Fans of Anne of Green Gables come here to visit the famed Green Gables House, while food lovers come for the island’s fresh seafood, from mussels to lobster.
Don’t Miss: PEI National Park, where you’ll find red cliffs, sandy beaches, and coastal trails perfect for a sunset stroll.
Nova Scotia
Capital: Halifax
Highlights: Celtic culture, historic fishing villages, and the Bay of Fundy
Nova Scotia feels like a place where old meets new in the best way. In Halifax, you’ll find historic waterfronts and plenty of live music, but head out to the countryside, and you’ll encounter the kind of untouched coastal scenery that Nova Scotia is known for. Cape Breton Island’s Cabot Trail offers one of the most beautiful drives in the world, with clifftop views, charming towns, and the sounds of bagpipes drifting through the air.
Don’t Miss: Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse, a picture-perfect symbol of Canada’s East Coast.
New Brunswick
Capital: Fredericton
Highlights: Acadian culture, tidal wonders, and Victorian-era charm
New Brunswick is where you can enjoy both English and Acadian (French) cultures, making it a truly bilingual province. Whether you're kayaking along rivers, hiking through the hills, or exploring the Victorian streets of Saint John, New Brunswick has plenty to discover. The Bay of Fundy offers a natural wonder: the world’s highest tides, where you can walk on the ocean floor at low tide.
Don’t Miss: Hopewell Rocks, watch the massive tides roll in, transforming rocky formations into towering islands.
Quebec
Capital: Quebec City
Highlights: French heritage, historic architecture, and mouth-watering cuisine
Quebec is like a little slice of France in Canada, with cobblestone streets, European-style cafes, and a language all its own. Quebec City feels almost like stepping back in time, with its fortified walls and 17th-century architecture, while Montreal with its jazz festivals, trendy neighborhoods, and art scenes, is a city that never stops. And if you’re a foodie, Quebec’s maple syrup, poutine, and cheeses will win you over.
Don’t Miss: Strolling through Old Quebec, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Wander its cobblestone streets, marvel at the historic architecture, and explore landmarks like Château Frontenac and Place Royale.
Ontario
Capital: Ottawa
Highlights: Niagara Falls, vast lakes, and natural beauty
Ontario is Canada’s most populous province and home to both the nation’s capital, Ottawa, and its largest city, Toronto. From the roaring Niagara Falls to Toronto’s iconic CN Tower, Ontario offers a mix of urban excitement and outdoor beauty. Ottawa, with its historic Parliament Hill and world-class museums, showcases Canada’s heritage, while the Muskoka region and Algonquin Park are perfect for a lakeside retreat.
Don’t Miss: Niagara-on-the-Lake, a charming town with wineries, theaters, and the nearby Niagara Falls.
Manitoba
Capital: Winnipeg
Highlights: Indigenous heritage, polar bears, and sweeping prairies
Manitoba’s nickname, “Friendly Manitoba,” suits this warm-hearted prairie province well. In Winnipeg, you’ll find a vibrant arts scene and museums like the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. Further north, the town of Churchill offers one of Canada’s most incredible wildlife experiences: spotting polar bears in the wild. During the winter, Manitoba’s skies come alive with the northern lights.
Don’t Miss: Riding Mountain National Park, where wildlife-watching, hiking, and canoeing abound.
Saskatchewan
Capital: Regina
Highlights: Prairie vistas, big skies, and rich history
Saskatchewan is Canada’s breadbasket, known for its golden prairies that stretch to the horizon. But it’s not all farmland there are plenty of forests, lakes, and parks to explore, especially for outdoor lovers. In Regina, you’ll find the RCMP Heritage Centre, where you can learn about Canada’s iconic Mounties. And Saskatoon, with its riverfront cafes and galleries, is buzzing with creative energy.
Don’t Miss: Grasslands National Park, where the skies are huge, the stars are bright, and you might even spot a wild bison.
Alberta
Capital: Edmonton
Highlights: Rocky Mountains, Lake Louise, and Calgary’s cowboy spirit
Alberta is home to some of Canada’s most iconic landscapes. Banff and Jasper National Parks offer views that will take your breath away, with turquoise lakes, towering peaks, and abundant wildlife. Calgary brings out its cowboy spirit every summer for the Calgary Stampede, while Edmonton surprises visitors with its massive mall and lively arts scene.
Don’t Miss: The Icefields Parkway drive, one of the most scenic roads in the world, linking Banff and Jasper.
British Columbia
Capital: Victoria
Highlights: Rainforests, mountain trails, and Pacific coastlines
British Columbia is Canada’s Pacific jewel, where you can surf, ski, and hike all in the same day. Vancouver combines cosmopolitan life with easy access to the outdoors. On Vancouver Island, Victoria’s old-world charm and gardens are a must-see. For a taste of the wild, head to the Great Bear Rainforest, one of the last places you might spot the rare “spirit bear,” or Kermode bear.
Don’t Miss: Tofino on Vancouver Island, where you can surf, relax on quiet beaches, or take a whale-watching tour.
Canada's Three Territories
Beyond the provinces, Canada's three northern territories, Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut offer a truly remote and untamed wilderness experience.
Yukon
Capital: Whitehorse
Highlights: Gold Rush history, towering mountains, and the midnight sun
The Yukon captures the spirit of adventure. Whitehorse is a small but lively town with a Gold Rush past. Up here, its all about the outdoors: the Yukon River, endless forests, and Kluane National Park, where Canada’s tallest mountain, Mount Logan looms large.
Don’t Miss: Dawson City, where the streets still echo with tales of the Gold Rush days.
Nunavut
Capital: Iqaluit
Highlights: Vast Arctic landscapes, rich Inuit culture, and the midnight sun
Nunavut is Canada’s largest and northernmost territory, known for its sweeping glaciers, fjords, and deep connection to Inuit traditions. Established in 1999, it’s a place where life moves to the rhythm of the land, and communities keep their culture alive through art, music, and storytelling. Iqaluit, the capital, offers insight into this heritage with its vibrant arts scene. Visitors can witness the surreal beauty of the midnight sun in summer, or the aurora-lit polar nights in winter.
Don’t Miss: Auyuittuq National Park, an untouched Arctic wonderland of glaciers and ice-carved peaks.
Northwest Territories
Capital: Yellowknife
Highlights: Northern lights, massive lakes, and Indigenous culture
The Northwest Territories offer some of the best northern lights shows in the world. Yellowknife, perched on the shore of Great Slave Lake, is full of vibrant local culture and friendly faces. In winter, the night skies come alive with the aurora borealis, making it an unforgettable experience.
Don’t Miss: Nahanni National Park, with waterfalls and stunning canyons that feel untouched by time.
Canada is a land of diverse experiences, from its vibrant cities and breath taking mountains to coastal fishing towns and the serene northern wilderness. Every province and territory presents its own unique adventures and stunning landscapes. There truly is no place like Canada, and every region has something remarkable to share.
