Canada is the second largest country in the world in area, although its【1】is only some 25

million, most【2】in a 200-mile strip【3】the southern border. Over 25 per cent of the【4】number live in the three main cities. The northern areas of the country are almost uninhabited【5】for isolated settlements.

Canada is【6】a rich country, and its national【7】per capita is the fifth highest in the world, but its economy in recent years has been rather【8】, because of the varied nature of what it does.

Over the last three years, the Canadian economy has been hard【9】by falling oil prices and by rising US interest【10】. This has【11】to a steep fall in industrial production--by as much as a fifth since 1981. Some【12】now think Canada is on the【13】to recovery, though more cautious spirits say that no【14】can be expected until there is a【15】to lower interest rates in the USA.

(1)

A．people

B．residents

C．population

D．number