Manitoba

Manitoba is one of the ten provinces in Canada, located in the longitudinal centre of the country. It is Canada's fifth-most populous province, with a population of over 1.3 million people. Its capital and largest city is Winnipeg.

Geography

Manitoba is bordered by the provinces of Ontario to the east and Saskatchewan to the west, the territories of Nunavut and Northwest Territories to the north, and the U.S. states of North Dakota and Minnesota to the south. The province has a largely continental climate, with thousands of lakes and many rivers. Its landscape ranges from tundra and the Hudson Bay coastline in the north, to dense boreal forest, large freshwater lakes, and prairie grassland in the central and southern regions.

History

The area of what is now Manitoba has been inhabited by First Nations peoples for thousands of years. The first European to reach present-day Manitoba was the English explorer Henry Hudson, who arrived in 1611. The province was established on July 15, 1870, as the fifth province of the Canadian Confederation.

Economy

Manitoba's economy is based on natural resources, agriculture, energy, oil and mining. The province is also a major producer of wheat, canola and other grains, and has a significant manufacturing sector, with products ranging from food processing to aerospace technology.

Culture

Manitoba's culture is influenced by its indigenous peoples, British and French settlers, and waves of immigration from around the world. The province is known for its music, dance, theatre, and visual arts, as well as its multicultural festivals and sporting events.

See also

• List of cities in Manitoba
• Manitoba Act
• Manitoba Hydro
• Manitoba Legislative Building