Winnipeg

Winnipeg is by far Manitoba's largest city with a population of 705,244 and 778,489 when the surrounding rural municipalities are included (2016 Census). It is the seventh largest Metropolitan Area in Canada.

It is one of Canada's sunniest cities, and the weather in all seasons is characterized by an abundance of sunshine.

Winnipeg lies close to hundreds of lakes, including Lake Winnipeg, Canada's fifth largest lake, and the world's eleventh largest, as well as Lake Manitoba and Lake of the Woods.

Economy

It’s location at the eastern edge of the great plains of Western Canada makes Winnipeg ideal for its prominent role in transportation, finance, manufacturing, agriculture, and education. It is an important regional center for commerce, industry, culture, finance, and government.

Winnipeg is the site of Canadian Forces Base Winnipeg and the headquarters of 1 Canadian Air Division, as well as home to several reserve units.

The Royal Canadian Mint in Winnipeg is where all circulating coinage in Canada is produced as well as coins for many other countries in the world.

Winnipeg is also home to the National Microbiology Laboratory, Canada's front line role in its response to SARS, and one of only 55 Biosafety level 4 laboratories in the world.

Education

Winnipeg is home to two major universities, a community college, a private Mennonite college, and a French college in St. Boniface.

The University of Manitoba is the largest university in the province of Manitoba, most comprehensive, and only research-intensive post-secondary educational institution.

Winnipeg has six public school divisions and a variety of private schools, both religious and secular. Franco-Manitoban School Division offers French-language education to its students throughout Manitoba and has a number of schools located within Winnipeg. 

Recreation

Residents of Winnipeg have access to 2.5 million acres of beautiful parkland. There are so many great outdoor locations and activities available to get away from the crowds. The choices are almost endless. Manitoba has more than 100 golf courses to choose from with many located within Winnipeg and the surrounding communities.

Winnipeggers can fish in one of the province’s 100,000 pristine lakes, hike over the sand dunes in the desert near Carberry, or stroll along the many sandy beaches. Grand Beach on Lake Winnipeg is one of the best in North America.

Sports

Winnipeg has hosted the Pan American Games on two occasions and continues to host aquatic events, including diving, speed swimming, synchronized swimming and water polo.

In recent years, the province has successfully played host to many sporting events such as the Grey Cup, the World Curling Championships and the Canada Summer Games.

Winnipeg is home to several professional sports franchises including the Winnipeg Jets hockey, Blue Bombers football, Goldeyes baseball and Valour FC soccer.

Local Attractions and Events

The Canadian Museum for Human Rights opened to the public in September 2014. It is the first Canadian national museum outside of the National Capital Region. It has attracted people from all over the world with some years showing 60 per cent of the visitors from outside of Winnipeg.

Bell MTS Place, a state-of-the-art 15,000+ seat facility that hosts major sports games, a variety of entertainment for families such as Disney on Ice, or concerts with superstars including Toby Keith, The Weeknd, Metallica, Celine Dion, Justin Bieber, and many more.

Winnipeg is well known across the prairies for its arts and culture. Some of the popular cultural institutions in the city include the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Winnipeg Art Gallery, Manitoba Opera, Manitoba Museum, Manitoba Theatre Centre, Prairie Theatre Exchange, and Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.

The city is home to several large festivals that attract attendees who travel from afar. Worthy of mention are the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival, North America's second largest Fringe Festival, and Folklorama, the largest and longest-running multicultural festival of its kind in the world, as determined by the International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts.

Centrally located in Winnipeg, Assiniboine Park attracts over five million visits each year for those interested in being a part of opportunities for learning, celebration and recreation. It offers a beautiful place for people to be outdoors and active while enjoying the winding trails, green space and many attractions. One of the favourite attractions is the the Assiniboine Park Zoo becomes one of only five Canadian zoos to be accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums.