Scenes from the Border
A ferry travels between Anacortes, Washington and its sister city, Sidney in British Columbia
Winding its way through the San Juan Islands amidst spectacular scenery, the five times a day ferry service connects Anacortes, Washington and Sidney, British Columbia. The San Juan ferry system from Anacortes to Sidney, services over 1.8 million passengers and 870,000 vehicles every year.
With over $18 billion in bilateral trade and over 3 million cross-border visits, Canada and Washington State share a unique and growing relationship. The 2010 Olympics in Whistler, Canada, has Washington and British Columbia working together very closely. The Games are expected to increase the flow of people, traffic and goods between Washington State and British Columbia hence generating growth and prosperity for all.
The international Whirlpool Rapids Bridge
The international Whirlpool Rapids Bridge illustrates the strong connection between Canada and the United States. It carries railway traffic and as many as 20,000 vehicles per month across the Niagara River. This bridge is reserved for Canadian and American subscribers to NEXUS and connects the commercial downtown districts of Niagara Falls, New York and Niagara Falls, Ontario.
NEXUS is a system designed to simplify border crossings for pre-approved, low-risk travellers. Once approved, the NEXUS members enjoy a quick and simplified entry process while travelling back and forth across the Canada-U.S. border, enabling Canadian and U.S. authorities to concentrate their efforts on potentially high-risk travellers and goods.
More information on NEXUS
Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, Alberta, Canada—Montana, U.S.A.
Canada shares an important relationship with Montana. The state has more trade northbound than to all other foreign markets combined. Over $3.65 billion in bilateral trade was recorded in 2005 and this number continues to grow.
A strong connection goes beyond economics. This view from Waterton, Canada looking into Glacier National Park, Montana is only a glimpse of the 1.2 million acres of mountain ranges, deep valleys, and lakes that are formed by sixty glaciers that remain in the area. Just across the way is the Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada. These two National Parks make up the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, the world's first International Peace Park since 1932, symbolising peace and friendship between the two countries.
The Ambassador Bridge on a winter night
First open to traffic in 1929, the Ambassador Bridge spans the Detroit River connecting Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan, and it is one of the most important points of trade between Canada and the United States. In the year following its opening, 1.6 million vehicles travelled across the bridge. Today, trade equal to the total exports from the U.S. to Japan passes over this single bridge, amounting to 23% of all surface trade between Canada and the United States.
At the time the bridge was built, it was the world's largest suspension bridge. Today, communities on both sides of the river depend on the efficient, safe, and secure operation of the Ambassador Bridge—connecting the world's largest bilateral trading relationship between Canada and the U.S.
Niagara Falls from Ontario
The Rainbow Bridge over the falls connects the twin cities, Niagara Falls, New York and Niagara Falls, Ontario, and helps to carry 50% of all American tourists to Ontario who enter Canada via Niagara Falls. It was the 6th busiest U.S.-Canada border crossing in 2005, with over 3 million crossings.
New York view of world famous Niagara Falls, with Ontario's skyline in the background
With more than 6 million cubic feet of water falling over the crestline every minute, it is the most powerful waterfall in North America. A popular tourist site for over a century, this natural wonder is shared by the twin cities, Niagara Falls, New York and Niagara Falls, Ontario, and is both a valuable source of hydroelectricity power and a shared environmental treasure.
