At a Glance
Area
649,950 sq. kilometers, or 6.5% of Canada’s total land area
Area Code
Capital City
Emergencies
Famous People
Neil Young, singer/songwriter, Winnipeg
Anna Paquin, actress, Winnipeg
Scott Bairstow, actor, Steinbach
Clara Hughes, Olympic cyclist, Winnipeg
Corey Koskie, MLB third baseman, Anola
Margaret Laurence, author, Neepawa
Chantal Kreviazuk, singer, Winnipeg
Ed Belfour, NHL goaltender, Carman
William George "Billy" Barker, WWI Fighter Ace, Dauphin
Terry Fox, activist, Winnipeg
Ron Hextall, NHL Player, Brandon
Fred Penner, children’s entertainer, Winnipeg
Tom Jackson, musician and actor, Winnipeg
Adam Beach, actor, Winnipeg
Nia Vardalos, actress and writer, Winnipeg
Highest Elevation
Hostelling
There are three hostels in the province, all of which are located in the capital city, Winnipeg. These hostels are Guest House International, Hi-Winnipeg Downtowner Hostel, and University Of Winnipeg Student Housing.
Manitoba Fast Facts
• Translated from the languages of the province’s Aboriginal people, Manitoba means "where the spirit lives".
• Manitoba is home to over 100,000 lakes.
• West Hawk Lake in Eastern Manitoba is the province’s deepest lake, at a depth of 115 m (400ft).
• The Winnipeg Art Gallery is Western Canada’s oldest public art gallery and home to the world’s largest public collection of contemporary Inuit art.
• Churchill is the only human settlement where polar bears can be observed in the wild.
• Over 250 species of birds travel through Churchill each year during migration.
• The Costume Museum of Canada in Winnipeg contains over 35,000 artifacts, dating back over 400 years.
• The Royal Canadian Mint''s manufacturing facility in Winnipeg has produced over 52 billion coins for over 75 different countries all over the world, including all Canadian circulation coinage.
• Altona is the Sunflower Capital of Canada.
• The Flin-Flon Trout Festival is a month long fishing derby held every year in June.
• The Royal Winnipeg Ballet is the second-oldest ballet company in North America and the oldest surviving dance company in Canada.
• The Northern Manitoba Trappers Festival originated in 1916 and continues to celebrate the culture and heritage of the northern pioneer.
• Gimli is home to the largest Icelandic community outside of Iceland.
Provincial Icons and Emblems
Bird - Great Gray Owl
Flower - Prairie Crocus
Mammal - Bison
Tree - White Spruce
Motto - Gloriosus et liber (Glorious and free)
National & Provincial Parks
Professional Spectator Sports
Winnipeg Blue Bombers (CFL Football)
204-784-2583
www.bluebombers.com
Manitoba Moose (AHL Hockey)
Toll Free: 1-888-626-6673
www.moosehockey.com
Winnipeg Goldeyes (Northern League Baseball)
204-982-BASE
www.goldeyes.com
Time Zone
Climate
Manitoba is known for warm and sunny summers and bright, cold winters. Average summertime temperatures are 25°C (77°F) while average winter temperatures can range from -18° to -26°C. (0° to -14°F). Southern regions of Manitoba receive an average of 11-140 cm of snow annually, while northeasterly regions see up to 160 cm.
Major Industries
The largest industry in Manitoba’s $36 billion economy is manufacturing, which accounts for about 12% of the province’s GDP. Mining, Agriculture and Forestry combine to contribute approximately 7% of Manitoba’s GDP. As home to Canada's only agricultural commodity exchange, Winnipeg is the centre of Canada’s grain trade. Head offices for Canada's largest insurance company, largest mutual fund distributor, and largest integrated media company are also located in Manitoba.
Population
1,198,971 (as of June 1, 2008)
Premier
The Honourable Greg Selinger, leader of Manitoba’s New Democrat Party, has been the Province’s Premier since 2009.
Tax Information
Manitoba’s Provincial Sales Tax (PST) is a 7% tax applied to the retail sale or rental of most goods and certain services in Manitoba. The tax is calculated on the selling price, before the 5% GST (Goods and Services Tax) is applied.
