Portal:Manitoba/Selected article/2
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Geography of Manitoba is the easternmost of the three prairie provinces, and is located in the longitudinal center of Canada. It borders on Saskatchewan to the west, Ontario to the east, Nunavut to the north, and the American states of North Dakota and Minnesota to the south. On comparative level, Manitoba ranges from 490 ft (150 m) to 980 ft (300 m) above sea level.[1] Baldy Mountain, which is its highest point, is at 2727 ft (831 m). The northern 3/5 of the province is on the Canadian Shield. The northernmost regions of Manitoba lie in tundra and permafrost (permanently frozen subsoil).
All waters in the province flow into Hudson Bay, due to its coastal area. Lake Winnipegosis and Lake Winnipeg are two of its largest lakes. Important rivers are the Red River, Assiniboine River, Nelson River, and Churchill River.
Manitoba has an extreme climate, but southern latitudes allow extensive growth for agriculture. The northern area of the region ranges from coniferous forests to muskeg to tundra in the far north. Before settlement had occurred, a vast portion of southern Manitoba was either flood plain or swamp.[2]. An extensive system for drainage ditches was required for construction throughout south central Manitoba to make the region suitable for cultivation.
