Manitoba
Prairie province of Canada
Area:
650,000 sq km/250,900 sq mi
Capital:
Winnipeg
Physical:
Lakes Winnipeg, Winnipegosis, and Manitoba (area 4,700 sq km/1,814
sq mi); 50% forested
Features:
Manitoba is bounded to the south by the USA, to the west by Saskatchewan,
to the north by the Northwest Territories and Hudson Bay, and to the
east by Ontario. The province can be divided into two geologically contrasting
parts, the north and the south, whose boundary is marked by a succession
of lakes (the largest of which is Lake Winnipeg). The area of the northern
section is approximately twice that of the southern section and forms
part of the Laurentian Shield.
Exports:
Grain, manufactured foods, beverages, machinery, furs, fish, nickel,
zinc, copper, and the world's largest deposits of caesium (a metallic
element used in the manufacture of photocells)
Industries:
Agriculture is limited to the prairie area where over 90% of the land
is occupied. Most of the improved land is under field crops, mainly
wheat and barley, but in the cooler northern districts large areas of
oats are grown. Most farms do, however, keep livestock (cattle and sheep)
which are not allowed to graze on the open range but are fed in enclosures
on hay, clover, and fodder crops. Only in the vicinity of Winnipeg are
substantial numbers of dairy cattle kept for milk and butter. The farms
are comparatively small, averaging 300 ha/740 acres, but they are highly
developed; the farmers depend for their livelihood on the overseas sales
of wheat.
Population:
(1996) 1,113,900
History:
Trading posts and forts were built here by fur traders in the 18th
century. The first settlers were dispossessed Scottish Highlanders in
1812. Known as the Red River settlement, it was administered by the
Hudson's Bay Company until purchased by the new dominion of Canada in
1869. This prompted the Riel Rebellion (1869-70). It was given the name
Manitoba when it became a province in 1870. The area of the province
was extended in 1881, and again in 1912.
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This
is one of the glitziest resume pages I've seen. But the featured
home is showcased very nicely, and commercial properties well
presented.
