Located in the centre of Canada and North America, this prairie province encompasses a unique terrain and a richly diverse culture. Geographically, Manitoba spans wide-open prairie grasslands in the west and south, rugged Pre-Cambrian Shield to the east and thousands of pristine lakes and forests to the north. Seven distinct regions support numerous resource sectors, including agriculture, tourism, forestry, energy and mining.

The province's people are as varied as its landscape. Manitoba is proud of its remarkable cultural and ethnic diversity which greatly supports the provincial economy and enhances our quality of life. More than 100 languages are spoken here, providing real advantages in doing business on a global scale and providing unique opportunities to celebrate with community festivals across the province year-round.

Manitoba can trace its history back 10,000 years when Aboriginal people first settled here. Early European settlers arrived in the late 1700s and early 1800s and, with the Aboriginal people, created a thriving fur trade. The hub of the fur trade was at The Forks – where the Red and Assiniboine rivers meet – now at the heart of Winnipeg, the provincial capital. By the late 1800s, settlers from many countries were making Manitoba their home and agriculture began replacing the fur trade as the main industry. Over the past century, Manitoba's economy has expanded to include agriculture, commercial and manufacturing industries.

While the centre of Manitoba's vibrant manufacturing and commercial economy remains mainly in the capital city of Winnipeg, agriculture, tourism and resource industries are located in communities across the province. Along with agriculture, the provincial economy is driven by industries such as the manufacture of farm equipment, buses, fashion and furniture; food processing; aerospace; transportation; insurance; life sciences research and development; and commerce. Supported by low electrical power rates, strategic central time zone and location at the heart of North American transportation corridors, Manitoba continues to be an attractive location for new businesses and capital investment.

The quality of life in Manitoba makes it an ideal place to work, live and raise a family. With four distinct seasons, Manitobans enjoy a variety of outdoor activities and sports. The province boasts more golf curses per capita than any other province and is home to top notch professional baseball and hockey teams. Opportunities for snow and water sports abound. And the quality of our symphony, ballet, opera and live theatre companies are recognized and respected globally, as is our annual Folklorama celebration – the largest multicultural festival of its kind in the world.

Manitoba's community spirit is second-to-none and thrives in its hundreds of communities and municipalities province-wide which you can read about in the Community Profiles.