Top 10 reasons why Canada is awesome

Top 10 reasons why Canada is awesome

As we celebrate Canada's 147 birthday, Global News takes a look at the Top 10 reasons why our country is so awesome.

Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press

TORONTO – As we celebrate Canada’s 147 birthday, Global News takes a look at the Top 10 reasons why our country is so awesome (not that you needed a list).

We suggest you stand up, remove your hat and hum the national anthem while reading this post.

10. Our balls are bigger

Football in Canada is much different than any other country. Our field is longer and wider than American football fields. We play with a larger ball. Fewer downs to try to score. Oh, and we also use our hands, unlike the European version of football where players kick a round ball down a grass field.

9. We invented basketball

Thanks to James Naismith, a McGill University phys-ed teacher, Canada can lay claim to inventing the sport of basketball. Naismith invented the sport in 1891 while working at a U.S. college. Although Canada is best known for producing some of the world’s best hockey players, our country has been showcasing our home-grown talent in the NBA. For the second consecutive year, a Canadian was selected first overall in the NBA draft — Anthony Bennett in 2013 and Andrew Wiggins in 2014.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, left, congratulates Andrew Wiggins who was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers as the number one pick in the 2014 NBA draft, Thursday, June 26, 2014, in New York.

AP Photo/Jason DeCrow

8. We legalized same-sex marriage ages ago

Canada legalized same-sex marriage almost nine years ago while many countries were still debating the issue. The Canadian government legalized same-sex marriage on July 20, 2005, becoming the fourth country to do so.

Jen Chang, left, and Inae Lee pose for photos before joining over 100 gay couples in a mass wedding during World Pride 2014 at Casa Loma in Toronto, on Thursday, June 26, 2014.

THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese

7. Poutine

Many Canadians enjoy the savoury taste of French fries, gravy and cheese curds all piled together in a heaping platter of goodness. Enough said.

Bourbon Street Baron of Beef Poutine.

Supplied, K-Days

6. We are patriotic

From sewing flags on our backpacks and putting a beaver on our nickels to belting out the national anthem for a free beer, we Canadians are very patriotic. According to a 2008 survey, Canada is the sixth most patriotic country in the world.

5. We are funny!

Canada has produced some very well-known comedians: Jim Carrey, Mike Myers, Eugene Levy, Martin Short, Seth Rogan and Will Arnett. Just to name a few.

4. Canada is big and beautiful

All 9.98 million square kilometres of it. As the second largest country in the world, Canada boasts endless lakes and rivers. We have access to three oceans, and we boast one of the few places in the world you can ski and surf (outside) in the same day.

Banff, Alberta, Canada

THE CANADIAN PRESS

3. Music

Canadians make music that’s heard all over the world. From Paul Anka to Justin Bieber, this country knows how to make music that sells. We’re well represented by such diverse artists as Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Celine Dion, Shania Twain, David Foster, Bryan Adams, Deadmau5, Michael Buble, k.d. lang, Gordon Lightfoot, Avril Lavigne, Sarah McLachlan, Drake and Anne Murray.

Canadian singer and host of the 2013 Juno Awards Michael Buble speaks to the media before the 2013 Juno Awards in Regina on Saturday, April 20, 2013.

Nathan Denette / The Canadian Press

2. Attractive cities

In a recent survey Toronto was named the fourth most attractive city in the world. It was the only Canadian city to make the list. The annual survey from PwC ranked 30 destinations worldwide for several factors including education and technology, quality of life,  ease of doing business, health and safety, economic clout, and transport. Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary, Quebec City and Montreal have consistently ranked high in past world surveys.

1. There’s no one reason why Canada is awesome

But this pretty much sums it up.

Happy birthday, Canada!