Imagine a scenario where Canada’s provinces and territories are paired with US states and territories of similar population sizes. This creative map, crafted by Reddit user enigbert, offers a fun way to compare demographics across two vast lands.
Consider the intriguing comparisons the map presents. For example, Alberta’s 4.9 million residents are paired with Alabama’s 5.2 million, although Kentucky’s 4.6 million might feel just as fitting. British Columbia’s 5.7 million aligns closely with Minnesota’s 5.8 million, while South Carolina, with 5.5 million, comes in as a near alternative. Manitoba, home to about 1.5 million people, finds its match in Hawaii’s 1.4 million, with Maine and New Hampshire also hovering around the same mark.
The comparisons continue with New Brunswick’s 854,000 compared to North Dakota’s 797,000, and Newfoundland and Labrador’s 545,000 nearly matching Wyoming’s 576,851. Nova Scotia’s 1.1 million are likened to Delaware’s equally sized population, though Rhode Island, sharing the same figure, could also fit the bill. Ontario, the powerhouse with over 16 million people, is compared to New York’s 19.9 million, with Pennsylvania’s 13.1 million as a close second. Even smaller regions have their parallels: Prince Edward Island’s 179,000 mirrors Guam’s 173,000. Quebec, hosting 9.1 million residents, is matched with New Jersey’s 9.5 million, though some suggest a blend of Kentucky and Louisiana (each with 4.6 million) or even Virginia’s 8.8 million could serve as alternatives. Saskatchewan’s 1.2 million finds its counterpart in Montana’s 1.1 million.
The playful exercise doesn’t stop at provinces. The map extends to Canada’s territories too. The Northwest Territories’ 44,000 people correspond to the Northern Mariana Islands’ 47,000. Nunavut, with just 41,000 residents, is paired with American Samoa’s 50,000, and Yukon’s 47,000 aligns with the US Virgin Islands’ 87,000.
Beyond these comparisons, it’s interesting to note that most Canadians live in the southern regions near the US border, while the expansive northern areas remain much more sparsely populated. Southern provinces like Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia are especially densely populated, featuring major cities such as Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver—urban centers that are hubs of culture and commerce. In contrast, vast northern regions, especially territories like Nunavut, remain sparsely populated. Nunavut’s low population is a striking reminder of some of the least populated areas on the planet, sharing similarities with regions such as Greenland, which is home to just over 56,000 people.
