Manitoba

Manitoba, despite Ontario and Quebec being often referred to as Central Canada, is the actual geographic centre of Canada. It was created by the Manitoba Act of 1870 and started existence as the small Red River Colony, which was at the intersection of the Red and Assiniboine rivers.

Manitoba's boundaries were extended 1881 and 1884 and now has 647,797 sq. km (250,116 sq. mi.) reaching north into the Arctic, making Manitoba travel an extremely divers experience.

Canadians think Manitoba is a cold place; and, in winter, it can be. So, travel to Manitoba in summer! Travelling around Manitoba is geographically diverse because it starts with classically lakes-and-trees from Ontario and ends with big skies of the prairies in the west and shoots to the arctic in the north.

Manitoba is culturally diverse: many Manitobans' family trees work with British, French, German, or Ukrainian roots. Not to forget the huge influence of native cultures. In Manitoba, you can learn about the Métis. This is a group of people who are distinctly a mix of European (often French) and background. Louis Riel is a famous Métis leader who not only founded Manitoba, but was also central in the North-West Rebellion in 1885. Canadian history sees him alternatively as an amazing leader, murderer, and religious nut case. (He at one point saw himself as the "Prophet of the New World.")

Travel in Manitoba? Clearly not just lakes and polar bears!

Manitoba has 8 tourist areas.

Winnipeg has a busy downtown that invites you to to world renewoned ballet, theatre, operation and symphony orchestra. The Forks is a historic junction that has emerged as Winnipeg's gathering place. Assiniboine Park is worth the visit and has its zoo, which specializes in cooler climate animals including Siberian tigers, snow leopards, polar bears. Make sure to check out the Manitoba Legislative Building on 450 Broadway in Winnipeg; its architecture makes it one of the most attractive and majestic government buildings in Canada.

North of the 53rd parallel is a land that few Canadians see, but is probably what travelers think of as the real Canada: rugged, intact terrain with lakes that produce fish worthy of awards and northern lights in the night sky.

Churchill Manitoba, on Hudson Bay, is the key northern Manitoba destination, home to polar bears in their natural habitat. Beluga whale watching occurs in the Churchill River. Make sure to take in Manitoba's highest waterfall at Kwasitchewan Falls.

To investigate indigenous culture, attend The Pas Northern Manitoba Trappers Festival and Opaskwayak Indian Days.

The Parklands are home to wildlife including elk, deer and black bear. Visit Anishinabe Village Camp to see aboriginal traditions. Visit Lake Audy and Waterhen to see roaming bison.

Riding Mountain National Park is great for fishing, swimming, golfing, wind-surfing, skiing and snowmobiling. Asessippi Provincial Park is known for downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding and tubing.

The Interlake region tells the story of Manitoba's Aboriginal roots as well as its early Icelandic, Ukrainian and Scottish settlers.

Hecla Provincial Park offers forests, shorelines and beaches which attract hikers, skiers, mountain bikers, bird-watchers, boaters and golfers. Oak Hammock Marsh is dedicated to preserving Manitoba's marsh life.

Following the Canadian Shield from Kenora and Lake-of-the-Woods, you will find Whiteshell Provincial Park. Make sure to enjoy the sandy beaches at Grand Beach. This area of Manitoba is home to the early French-Canadian, Dutch and Ukrainian settlements. The Mennonite Heritage Village in Steinbach gives you a great view into the past.

On the prairies, the clouds seem lower and the sky more vast than you can imagine. The Manitoba prairies begin the great Canadian plains, which are home to parklands, moose, and wood bison. Visit Neepawa, the World Lily Capital and home to Canlit author Margaret Laurence. Make sure to cross the Souris River on Canada's longest free-suspension foot bridge.

At Delta Marsh, you will find flocks of birds filling the skies at one of North America's largest waterfowl staging marshes. Come to understand 1800s era prairie farming at the Manitoba Agricultural Museum as well as Fort la Reine Museum and Pioneer Village.

The Archibald Historical Museum Panoramic provides information on the North West Mounted Police's crucial role in the expansion west of Canada. (The North West Mounted later became the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. As a study of contracts, Canada sent police out to help settle the west and the United States sent no one and got outlaws.) The many small prairie towns offer many rural fairs and festivals.