There were once almost two million gray wolves in North America, but they were nearly wiped out by fur traders and hunters in the 1930s.

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Indeed most of western Canada was first mapped and explored by young Scottish fur traders such as Alexander Mackenzie and Simon Fraser, after whom some major north-west waterways are named.

ECONOMIST: Letters

Settled about 400 years ago by French fur traders, the city hosts many examples of 18th and 19th century architecture and the distinction of being the only fortified city north of Mexico.

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