The City of Winnipeg is located at the junction of the Assiniboine and Red Rivers. Situated on the Red River Valley, the landscape around Winnipeg is characteristically flat. Repeated flooding in the past deposited much of the fine Red River silt and clay along the floor of the sprawling valley. The rich black clay soils left behind by these floods provided the Red River Valley with some of the best agricultural lands in the world.
With 618,475 (Stats Can - 1996) residents, Winnipeg is one of Canada's largest urban centres.
Winnipeg is also one of Canada's greener cities. This is evident through the multiplicity of Elm trees that line the streets of many older residential areas. Winnipeg's suburbs are dotted with parks and greenspaces also. Large parks such as Assiniboine Park, Kildonan Park and St. Vital Park have been preserved for recreational use by visitors and residents alike.
History
For thousands of years, the present day location of Winnipeg served as a meeting place for many native tribes. Native peoples congregated here for celebrations and ceremonies, as well as, to trade their wares. In 1738, the area became a fur-trading centre, where trappers and the famed voyageurs could trade hides for needed supplies. Lord Selkirk's Settlers arrived in 1812 and formed the Red River Settlement, the first permanent settlement. Winnipeg was incorporated as a city in 1873. Construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1885 brought the arrival of a large number of immigrants into the city. The flood of immigrants, high wheat prices, and improved farming techniques made Winnipeg the wholesale, administrative, and financial centre of Western Canada.
Economic Base
A central location and highly skilled workforce make Winnipeg a major financial, manufacturing, transportation, business and retail centre. With one of Canada's 24-hour airports and a major rail and road-way system that connect east, west, north and south, goods from Winnipeg can reach anywhere in the world within 48-hours. The city is the headquarters of Canada's grain industry, and home to the head office of the Canadian Wheat Board and other numerous grain companies. The city is also the headquarters for many national and international financial and insurance companies.
Winnipeg's secondary manufacturing sector is one of the most diverse and fastest growing in Canada. This sector alone has exploded, having experienced growth nearly ten times the national average since 1991.
Winnipeg has several other strong industries that strengthen its economy. Winnipeg is home to a major food and beverage processing centre and one of Western Canada's largest aerospace centres. Winnipeg is also very proud of its growing film and television industry.
Major Attractions
Winnipeg loves to host visitors from around the world and has done so many times in the past. Winnipeg can be characterized as a "festival city", since it hosts more than 130 days of festivals and activities each year. Cultural events such as "Folklorama" and "Le Festival du Voyageur", celebrate the traditions and heritage of the many different ethnic groups that make Winnipeg their home.
One of the most popular venues for local festivals is The Forks National Historic Site. The site on the banks of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers serves as a meeting place for visitors and residents alike. The Forks site is rich in history and tradition. Renovated railway engine shops house a shoppers market with many specialty boutiques, services and restaurants. The Winnipeg Children's Museum and the Manitoba Theatre for Young People also call The Forks their home.
Winnipeg has a very rich arts and entertainment scene. Sir Peter Ustinov once observed that Winnipeg is home to "a ballet company of world renown, a fine symphony orchestra and a superb art gallery. The quality of the food is invariably incomparably superior and rare wines appear in bewildering profusion". The Manitoba Museum of Man & Nature in downtown Winnipeg is one of the finest history museums in North America. The venue houses many displays that depict such scenes as an early native settlement. The Museum also has on display a replica of the original HMS Nonsuch. Travelling displays complement the already superb collection of artifacts found at the museum.
Winnipeg also offers its residents and visitors many fun family oriented outdoor events. These events include the Winnipeg International Air Show, the world renown Winnipeg Children's Festival and fundraising events like the Teddy Bear's Picnic and the Winnipeg Kite Festival.
Fans of fine dining will find the city home to a plethora of restaurants and venues that offer many unique and exquisite dishes from all corners of the globe. The Taste of Manitoba Festival held annually tempts guests to sample many of these fine dishes.
Winnipeg enjoys a large independent music scene with performances by local, national and international acts.
Old Market Square, Osborne Village and the Corydon Avenue Strip all offer an interesting and unique combination of upscale specialty shops, dining, and nightspots. Corydon is famous for its many outdoor patios and trendy atmosphere. Old Market square plays host to music and theatre acts during the summer.
Sports fans will find much to love about Winnipeg too. Our professional teams include The Winnipeg Blue Bombers football team, The Manitoba Moose hockey team and The Winnipeg Goldeye's baseball team. Winnipeg offers many other sporting activities, including over 850 parks and 23 golf courses in the city and surrounding area.
Winnipeg's friendly hospitality shines throughout the year. The community spirit is evident in every aspect of our community. Winnipeg's spirit was proudly displayed to the world in 1999, when it played host-city to the most successful Pan-Am Games ever held. Winnipeg and the province served as a temporary home to thousands of athletes, coaches, officials and fans.
Whether lounging or playing in one of Winnipeg's many beautiful parks, taking a stroll through the city's world-class zoo, enjoying the fine dining and entertainment, catching a professional sports team or a game of golf, attending one of the many festivals or events, or taking a leisurely cruise down one of the city's scenic waterways, Winnipeg has something to offer everyone. For work, play, or both, join us in Winnipeg.
Other Information
Many famous Winnipegger's include The Guess Who, Neil Young, Burton Cummings, Tom Jackson, Evelyn Hart, The Crash Test Dummies, The Watchmen and Chantal Kreviazuk.
