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Manitoba History!
The official flag of the Province of Manitoba is the Red Ensign, bearing the provincial coat of arms. This flag was given royal approval by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in October 1965, and officially proclaimed on May 12, 1966.
The Coat of Arms of Manitoba, first assigned May 10, 1905 by King Edward VII, was augmented on October 23, 1992 by Governor-General Ramon Hnatyshyn. The 1905 shield is at its centre, while above are a gold helmet, red and silver mantlings, a beaver holding a prairie crocus, and finally a crown. A unicorn and a white horse support the left and right sides. Other elements that symbolize Manitoba's past include maple leaves, the wheel of a Red River cart, and Aboriginal bead and bone decorations. The shield and supporters rest on a base representing a diverse landscape, with a banner below bearing the Latin version of the provincial motto, "Glorious and Free."
The Manitoba Tartan, approved by the Lord Lyon King at Arms, guardian of Scottish Heraldry, is registered in Scotland as the official tartan of the province. The design received royal assent May 1, 1962. Each colour has its own significance: Dark Red Squares-natural resources of the province; Azure Blue Lines-Lord Selkirk, founder of Red River Settlement (Winnipeg); Dark Green Lines-the men and women of many races who have enriched the life of the province; and Golden Lines-grain and other agricultural products.
Chosen to represent Manitoba by numerous naturalists and school groups, the Great Gray Owl was officially adopted by Manitoba as the provincial bird emblem on July 16, 1987. A year- round resident of Manitoba, the Great Gray Owl is North America's largest owl, with a wingspan of 1.3 metres. It can be found throughout the mixed wood and coniferous forests of Manitoba, from the south-eastern corner of the province, west to Riding Mountain National Park and north to the treeline.
The floral emblem of Manitoba was officially adopted when an act respecting its adoption was given Royal Assent on March 16, 1906. Accordingly, "The flower known botanically as the anemone patens, and popularly called the crocus, shall be adopted as and deemed to be the floral emblem of the province." This early spring flower, known as the "Prairie Crocus" was chosen by the school children as the floral emblem of the province.
The White Spruce was chosen as Manitoba's provincial tree emblem because of its extensive use by early and modern cultures. It is also easily identifiable and aesthetically pleasing, has a high economic value and is found throughout most of Manitoba. The white spruce is also disease resistant and capable of growing in most climatic and environmental conditions of the province.
Manitoba Timeline:
A brief history of the development of Manitoba:
10-13000 BC - First evidence of nomadic hunters entering Manitoba from the south-west. Developing grasslands in south provided abundant hunting territory.
4-5000 BC - Origins of forest dwellers in eastern and northern Canadian Shield. Necessary diversification in lifestyles developing due to demanding environment.
Approximately1500 BC - Evidence of Alaskan nomads (Early Inuit descendants) passing along shores of Hudson Bay.
Approximately 500 BC - Evidence of early trade among early peoples. Copper from Lake Superior, pipestone from Minnesota, shell from the Gulf of Mexico, volcanic glass from Wyoming, flint from N. Dakota.
Approximately 1100 AD - First indications of agriculture. Native Manitobans seeded corn along the banks of the Red River, north of Winnipeg.
15-1600 - Changing climate hampers growth of native corn varieties. Natives gradually return to hunting, fishing and trapping.
1612 - First European sets foot in Manitoba. Capt. Thomas Button winters 2 ships at Port Nelson, near the mouths of the Nelson and Hayes Rivers.
1670 - King Charles II of England grants sovereignty over large part of continent to "the Governor &CO. of Adventurers of England Trading into Hudsons Bay" or the Hudsons Bay Company.
1690-1691 - Henry Kelsey explores Northern Manitoba from Hudson Bay to Saskatchewan River, near the Pas.
1731-1771 - Building of Fort Prince of Wales at the mouth of the Churchill River by British. Captured and badly damaged by French in 1782.
1783 - Construction of Fort Churchill by HBC. In continuous use by the Company until 1933.
1811 - Lord Selkirk establishes first agricultural settlement.
1816 - Governor Robert Semple and 19 colonists were killed in battle with Metis at seven Oaks. Dispute over changing lifestyles along the Red River.
1869 - HBC relinquishes Western Canadian territory to Canadian Government for $300,000. Lack of consideration to Metis concerns leads to Louis Riels establishment of provisional government in December 1869.
1870 - Delegated of Riels government negotiates with federal government joins Confederation. Called the "Postage Stamp" province (1/18 current size.)
1912 - Final boundary change (North 60º) completes current Manitoba size.
Geography:
Manitoba is the easternmost of the three Prairie Provinces. Comparatively level, Manitoba generally ranges from 490-ft./150 m to 980-ft./300 m above sea level. Baldy Mountain is Manitoba's highest point, at 2727 ft./831 m. Agricultural land lies in a triangle, bordering Saskatchewan and the U.S., cutting diagonally across lake Winnipeg. The northern 3/5 of Manitoba is Precambrian Shield. In northernmost Manitoba lies tundra and permafrost (permanently frozen subsoil). All waters in Manitoba flow to Hudson Bay. Before settlement, a large area of southern Manitoba was flood plain or swamp. An extensive system of drainage ditches had to be constructed throughout south central Manitoba to make the region suitable for cultivation.
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Area: |
250,946 miles / 649,950 km | |
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Land Surface: |
211,721 miles / 548,360 km | |
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North to South: |
761miles / 1225 km | |
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Width (South): |
279 miles / 449 km | |
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North Boundary (Width): |
260 miles / 418 km | |
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Coastline: |
400 miles / 645 km | |
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Water surface: |
39,225 miles / 101,593km | |
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Widest Point: |
493 miles / 793 km |
| Agriculture |
| From the earliest days of settlement, agriculture has been one of Manitoba's most important industries and sources of income and employment. The Selkirk settlers from Scotland established the first major farming operations in 1812, and agriculture became firmly established as the Red River Settlement developed. Most of the pioneers who flocked to Manitoba between 1870 and 1900 were farmers or became farmers, and by 1900 they had developed the bulk of prime agricultural land in the province. Total land farmed in 1996 was 19.1 million acres. Wheat continues to be the most important Manitoba crop, accounting for more than 40% of crop production value, followed by canola and flaxseed. Other major crops are barley, oats and rye. Despite the dominance of grain production, agriculture in Manitoba is more diversified than in other Prairie Provinces. Manitoba dominates Canadian production of flaxseed, sunflower seeds, buckwheat and field peas. In 1996, the estimated total value of agricultural production was $2.7 billion. Crop production was valued at $1.6 billion and livestock, $1.1 billion. |
| Manufacturing | ||||||
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Manufacturing is an important sector of the Manitoba economy in its contribution to provincial production and in number of jobs generated. Over 1500 establishments are engaged in manufacturing. In 1996, they employed 61,700 people and produced goods valued at approximately $9.08 billion.
This information was provided through: Travel Manitoba, Canada Web Address: www.travelmanitoba.com
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