Introduction
Bordered by Ontario to the east, Saskatchewan to the west and
the USA to the south, Manitoba is located on the stunningly
beautiful and unspoilt area known as the prairies, a predominantly
agricultural region steeped in history and culture. Locals and
visitors here enjoy an active outdoors lifestyle centred round
fishing, hiking and wildlife viewing. Manitoba's capital and
largest city is Winnipeg, a fantastic place to explore in itself
and located very close to Lake Winnipeg, the world's 11th largest
freshwater lake. 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 from the most recent ice age melted away, as a large
amount of petroforms (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). During the
summer months, a trip out to Oak Hammock Marsh, Riding Mountain
National Park or Polar Bear Capital Churchill will reward visitors
with an incredible array of wildlife viewing opportunities. From
polar bears and beluga whales in Churchill, to black bear and bison
in Riding Mountain National Park and moose in Hecla-Grindstone
Provincial Park, Manitoba is a nature-lover's paradise!