Canada sits right above the United States, making up a big part of North America. The countries are so close, in fact, that in some of the northern states, Canada is only a short drive away. This can make it easy to assume that Canada and America are the same but that couldn't be further from the truth.
Between politics, religion, currency, and food, there are lots of differences between the two countries. Take a look at some of the biggest differences below.
SEE ALSO: The 9 best places for Americans to live in Canada
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Canada's government system differs from America's.
While America is led by a president, Canada is a Commonwealth country led by a prime minister. And, technically, Queen Elizabeth is the Head of State of Canada, although she really doesn't do much.
Political parties are also different. In the US, we have two major parties: Democratic and Republican. Canada has four major parties and many smaller ones, like Conservatives, Liberals, New Democratic Party, and the Green Party.
As a country, Canada is more welcoming to outsiders.
This particular difference has never been as obvious as it is right now. Canadians are welcoming more refugees and immigrants than America.
According to NPR, "Canadians see immigration as critical to their economic success. The nation has invited in so many immigrants that today, one-fifth of the population is foreign-born."
Immigrants are referred to as "new Canadians" with the expectation that they will stay in the country. In terms of refugees, there is a #WelcomeRefugees program that offers help and assistance.
Canadian Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship from 2013 to 2015, Chris Alexander, told NPR, "The biggest contrast between the US and Canada is that we have reformed our immigration system continuously, intensively, for a decade at a time when the US has been facing gridlock."
Canadians take more breaks at work and have more vacation time.
When it comes to jobs, Americans work more than Canadians. Canada's take on vacation time resembles that of Europe. According to HR Daily Advisor, Canadian employees are given 30-minute breaks every five hours. Although American employees are given breaks as well, Canadians are more likely to take them.
As for vacation time? It depends on how many years the employee has been working, but Canadians with one year of service are entitled to two weeks of paid vacation. After five or six years of working, that number goes up to three weeks. In the US, employees are typically given much less. In fact, the US doesn't legally require companies to offer paid vacation time, and even when employees get it, most don't even use it, according to Market Watch.
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