Manitoba

Guide Note

Located at the longitudinal center of Canada, Manitoba is the easternmost of the prairie provinces. It is bordered by Saskatchewan to the west, Ontario to the east, Hudson's Bay and the territory of Nunavut to the north and the American states of Minnesota and North Dakota to the south. Thousands of lakes, including Lake Winnipeg, the tenth largest freshwater lake in the world, are located in Manitoba.

Fast Facts

1. Capital: Winnipeg
2. Population: 1,193,566 (2008)
3. Area: 250,946 square miles
4. Length: 761 miles
5. Highest point: Baldy mountain, 2727 feet
6. All water flows into Hudson's Bay
7. Official emblems:Prairie Crocus (flower), White Spruce (tree), Great Grey Owl (bird)

Almost 50% of Manitoba is comprised of coniferous forests and the southern grasslands support extensive agricultural developments. Farming and ranching continue to be Manitoba's main industries. Manitoba's distance from any major mountain range causes extreme weather systems including severe thunderstorms, tornadoes and frigid winter temperatures due to Arctic winds. However, Manitoba boasts some of the clearest and sunniest skies in North America year round.