Geography

Census Division No.2 is located in south-eastern Manitoba with the northwest part of the census division bordering on the City of Winnipeg. The east portion of the area is bordered by the Red River Valley, with the western portion bordered by the Sandilands Provincial Forest and the U.S.A. bordering in the south. The area rises from the fertile farmland of the Red River Basin. The 1996 population of this Census Division was 48,045. The Census Division area is made up of the City of Steinbach, Towns of Niverville and Ste.Anne, the Village of St.Pierre-Jolys and the Rural Municipalities of De Salaberry, Franklin, Hanover, La Broquerie, Ritchot, Ste.Anne and Tache.

The largest urban centre is the City of Steinbach with a population of just under 10,000. It is the major service and industrial centre of the area.

The Trans Canada Highway runs through the Census Division area forming the main east-west link of the highway system. Provincial Trunk Highways (P.T.H.) 12 and 59 are the major north-south routes.

Major Attractions of the Region

St.Malo Provincial Park - created by the damming of the Rat River, is a family oriented park that features campgrounds, sandy beaches, childrens playgrounds and a large family picnic area.

St.Pierre-Jolys - the town is famous for the Frog Follies, featuring the Canadian National Frog Jumping Championships and its sugaring off parties in early April

Steinbach - Mennonite Heritage Village (Canada) Inc. features a 40-acre complex, which spreads out from a street reminiscent of the Mennonite villages (Strassendorf) found in southern Manitoba during the late 1800's. A windmill with 60-ft sails dominates the village (currently being rebuilt after being destroyed by fire).

Golf Courses - The eastern region is home to many golf courses, such as Quarry Oaks, offering golfers varying degrees of difficulty.

About Census Division Profiles

Census Division (CD) is the general term applied to areas established by provincial law which are intermediate geographic areas made up of municipalities, Indian reserves, Indian settlements and unorganized areas (census subdivisions) at the provincial level.

Census Division Profiles have been prepared for Manitoba's 23 Census Divisions as they are representative of market areas that communities belong to.