Manitoba is the easternmost of the three prairie provinces, located in the centre of Canada. Geographically, it encompasses a unique terrain of wide-open prairie grasslands to the west and south, rugged Pre-Cambrian Shield to the east, and thousands of pristine lakes to the north offering up abundant hydro-electric power, fishing and recreation. The province's seven distinct regions support such natural sectors as agriculture and agri-food, tourism, forestry, energy and mining.

As varied as the geography of the province is, so too are its people. The province boasts a rich cultural and ethnic diversity that literally includes the 'peoples of the world' who have found an opportunity in Manitoba to maintain and to share their unique characteristics. This is reflected in the fact that more than 100 languages are spoken here. This provides real advantages in doing business on the global market, as well as providing opportunities to celebrate our differences in community festivals across the province.

Manitoba's history dates back some 10,000 years ago when Aboriginal people first settled here. Early European settlers arriving in the late 1700's and early 1800's, assisted by Aboriginal people, established a thriving fur trade at The Forks, located at the junction of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers which is now Winnipeg. As settlers began pouring into Manitoba in the mid 1890s, the fur trade era came to a close, to be replaced by a thriving agriculture industry. Manitoba continued to grow as a hub of agricultural, commercial and manufacturing activity.

Centred around the province's capital city of Winnipeg, the province's vibrant economy continues to be focussed on manufacturing (farm equipment, buses, fashion, furniture), food processing, aerospace, transportation, insurance and commerce. Supported by low rates for electric power and its strategic central time zone, Manitoba continues to be an attractive location for new business and capital investment.

Quality of life issues are also integral to attracting people and businesses to Manitoba. With its four distinct seasons, Manitobans enjoy a variety of outdoor sports. For example, Manitoba has more golf courses per capita than any other province in Canada. Temperatures can range to below -20 Celsius in the winter to 30 Celsius during the hot, dry summer months. Cultural events include the symphony, ballet, live theatre and opera, combined with professional hockey, baseball and basketball.

Manitoba's community spirit can be found through its hundreds of communities and municipalities which you can read about in the Community Profiles.