Bordered by Ontario to the east, Saskatchewan to the
west, and the USA to the south, Manitoba is located on the
stunningly beautiful and evocative area known as the prairies. It's
a predominantly agricultural region steeped in history and culture,
with locals and visitors enjoying an active outdoor lifestyle
centred on fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing.
Manitoba's capital and largest city is Winnipeg. It's
a fantastic place to explore and located close to its eponymous
lake, one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world. But for
those wanting to escape the city, this province boasts a rich
cultural history and exciting attractions.
Manitoba is believed to have been first inhabited
shortly after the last glaciers melted away, as a large amount of
petroforms, also called boulder mosaics, and medicine wheels can be
found near Turtle Mountain in the southwest. North American
aboriginals went on to inhabit the land before Henry Hudson sailed
into what is now known as Hudson Bay in 1611.
The winter months in Manitoba provide perfect
conditions for tobogganing, skating, and snowmobiling, although
heavy snowstorms are common and those unfamiliar with the terrain
should beware of plummeting temperatures, which can drop as low as
-40°F (-40°C). Manitoba compensates with equally extreme summers
and plenty of sunshine year-round.
During the summer months, a trip out to Oak Hammock
Marsh, Riding Mountain National Park, or Churchill, known as the
polar bear capital of the world, will reward visitors with an
incredible array of wildlife viewing opportunities.
Visitors will savour polar bears and beluga whales in
Churchill, black bear and bison in Riding Mountain National Park,
and moose in Hecla-Grindstone Provincial Park. All in all,
fascinating Manitoba is a nature lover's paradise.
