Physically: there's no Canadian equivalent of the Interstate Highway System, at least for long-distance travel. The Trans Canada Highway (main inter-provincial road) is one lane each way in many places. By far the fastest way to drive from Toronto to Vancouver is through the US.
Conversation
8. Culturally, the more uniform population distribution in the US means that cultural identities tend to flow pretty smoothly. Someone from Boston will usually identify with a broader "New England" identity, and then a broader "Northeast" identity, and so on.
2
1
Canadian cultures tend to be punctuated, like the people who form them! There's definitely very little sub-national identity shared with e.g., neighbouring provinces or even metro areas (except possibly in the Maritimes*).
1
1
9. In part because of these poor transportation links, regions of Canada tend to be much more closely linked to neighbouring regions of the United States than to each other, culturally, economically, and otherwise.
1
National culture aside, Vancouver has a lot more in common with the rest of the Pacific Northwest (only two hours from Seattle!) than with Toronto or even Calgary.
Thinking about moving to Canada? Pay attention to which part!
1
1
10. This is a 🌶️ one: (anglophone) Canadian culture is mostly inauthentic, and was largely manufactured by politicians and advertising companies.
In contrast, American culture is real and unmistakable. Some more details on that:
1
2
(I emphasize Anglophone there because Quebecois culture is a whole separate thing that I am most definitely not qualified to comment on. If I accidentally say "Canadian" in the next few tweets read that as "Anglophone Canadian".)
1
1
(I'm also emphasizing the dominant Anglo-Canadian culture as opposed to the rich and numerous Indigenous cultures, which I am also unqualified to talk about. Go read about those!)
1
11. Let's look at food, as a litmus test for culture. Most every American region has some kind of distinctive cuisine. In the Northeast every city has its own type of sandwich.
There's no Canadian equivalent. Most "Canadian" foods are Quebecois foods (poutine, tourtière, etc.).
2
Replying to
Wait are the sandwiches really distinctive in the US? This is definitely not something I've noticed (but that could just be me being oblivious...).
1
Replying to
Yeah! Here's a random guide I found: