Travel Guides Crafted by Experienced Archaeologists & Historians

Archaeology Travel Guide Canada

With lively cities in the east and vast open landscapes in the west, Canada is one of the World’s top ten tourist destinations. A relatively young archaeological heritage offers visitors over twenty thousand years of cultural history. In the westernmost Yukon region there is evidence of the continent’s earliest people, while at the other end of the country are the remains of the first European settlement in Newfoundland left by the Vikings. From cultural and historical sites of First Nations to historic forts and trading posts of European colonists, there is much for the cultural travellers to see in Canada.

Reasons to Visit Canada

First Nation Cultures,

Colonial Forts,

Picturesque Historic Cities,

… Mountains and National Parks.

Interesting Things to Know About Canada

Canada is the second biggest country in the world behind Russia. It is larger than the entire EU, and has a population of 38 million, with approximately 4 residents per square km, making it one of the world’s least densely populated countries. Around 90% of the population lives within 160km of the US border. The Canadian-US border is the world’s largest unprotected border at 8,800km long.
Canada is home to 2600 museums, art galleries, and other heritage sites that host 62 million visitors annually. Located here are 20 UNESCO WHS, of which 9 are cultural sites, 10 are natural sites, and 1 is a mixed site. There are 14 additional proposed sites, of which 7 are cultural, 3 are natural, and 4 are mixed.
While there were European forts, settlements, and trading posts in Canada during the 16th and 17th centuries, the land had been inhabited by hundreds of Native American Tribes and Nations since approximately 13,000 BCE. Currently there are over 600 First Nation governments recognized by the Canadian government, with a population of nearly 1 million. This does not include the approximately 600,000 Métis and 65,000 Inuit peoples who also live in Canada.
The Canadian city of Quebec holds multiple titles of interest for history buffs. Quebec, founded in 1608, was the first city established in the region with intent of being a permanent settlement. It is also the only true walled city in North America, one of the last walled cities to be erected worldwide, and the city’s walls were the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in North America.

There are some more recent firsts that one can see in Canada, including the first UFO Landing Pad constructed in the world, located in St. Paul, Alberta and was built in 1967. Alberta is also the home to the World’s Largest Sausage, Pysanka, and Perogy.

Find Places to Visit in Canada

Five Popular Attractions in Canada

Banff Park Museum National Historic Site

Banff National Park

Porte Saint Louis is one of the city gates of Quebec City but it's not the one of the original fortifications. It dates back in 1878.

Quebec City

Aerial top landscape view of Niagara Falls  between United States of America and Canada. Horseshoe of Canadian waterfall on sunny day. Water tour boat at famous tourist landmark

Niagara Falls

Historic Clock Tower in Halifax. Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Halifax Citadel

Explore Canada more deeply

Where to Go in Canada

Six UNESCO World Heritage Sites from natural sites of mountains and glaciers, palaeontological sites in the Badlands, and two archaeological sites.

Pacific north west First Nation tribes are are known for their striking totem poles, and many historic examples can still be seen today in heritage centres here. 

Manitoba is the host to Canada’s largest powwow event, the province’s capital city Winnipeg is home to Canada’s Museum of Human Rights. 

A region of Canada that witnessed bitter rivalries and battles between the French and the British. Acadian heritage sites and many forts attest to these times. 

This is the most eastern point of the North American continent. In 1901 Guglielmo Marconi received the first ever transatlantic wireless signal on Signal Hill.
A popular destination to see the Northern Lights, many of the communities here originated many centuries ago as trading posts and resource extraction.
Home to the Mi’kmaq for at least 10,000 years, 17th century French Acadians as well as Africans, Celts and Scots have shaped the heritage of Nova Scotia.

The most northerly territory opf Canada and much of it falls within the Arctic Circle. Today the region is autonomously governed by the Inuit people.

One of the four original provinces,  home to the country’s most populous city, Toronto, as well as Canada’s official capital, Ottawa.

Called ‘Cradled on the Waves’ by the Mi’kmaq, the designated National Historic sites relate to the 18th and 19th century European settlers.

One of the four original provinces, there are nearly  200 National Heritage Sites, two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and three national parks

When the Hudson’s Bay Company took control of the area in the late 17th century, fur trapping was the key to the regions economy. 

Yukon’s 12 National Historic Sites are all located in Dawson City, associated with the Klondike Gold Rush of the late 19th century.

Popular Tours & Activities in Canada