Before Europeans arrived,
Saskatchewan
was populated by several indigenous peoples.
The plains were home to the Athabaskan,
Algonquian, Atsina, Cree, Saulteaux, and Sioux nations.
On Sep 1, 1905, Saskatchewan split from the Northwest Territories
and became a province.
The name of the province comes from the Cree language:
'kisiskaciwani~sipiy',
meaning 'swift flowing river'.
Two rivers, the North Saskatchewan and the South Saskatchewan,
flow into the province from Alberta and meet in central Saskatchewan.
Combined, they form the Saskatchewan River,
which continues eastward into Manitoba.
Saskatchewan is
bordered by Alberta to the west,
Manitoba to the east,
to the north by the Northwest Territories.
The southern border is with
Montana and North Dakota
in the United States of America.
Saskatchewan is the only Canadian province with
borders that do not correspond to physical geographic features.
It has an area of 588276 km² (227134 mi²),
with a population just over 1 million.
Saskatchewan is home to one of the world's largest sand dunes.
The Athabasca Sand Dunes Provincial Park contains
dunes which run between 400 to 1500 metres
long and approximately 30 metres at the greatest height.
WEATHER
Saskatchewan is
Canada's sunniest province,
receiving between 83 and 104 days of sunshine annually.
Saskatchewan is
completely landlocked, and lies far from
the influence of any major body of water,
between the 49th and 60th latitude.
This combination gives
the province a colder
version of humid continental climate in the central eastern,
drying off to a semi~arid steppe climate
in the south and southwest,
while northern parts of Saskatchewan
have a subarctic climate.
Summers can be very hot.
Warm southern winds blow from the United States during much of July and August.
Temperatures get above 32 ° C (90 ° F)
during the day,
and humidity decreasing from northeast to southwest.
Winters can be bitterly cold, with highs
below -17 ° C (0 ° F) for weeks at a time.
Warm chinook winds often blow from the west,
bringing warmer periods of mild weather.
Annual precipitation ranges from
12~18 in (460 mm) annually across the province.
Most of the rain falls in June, July, and August.
ECONOMY
Saskatchewan grows 45% of
Canada's grain.
Crops like wheat, canola, flax, rye, oats, peas, lentils,
canary seed, and barley are produced.
Mining is a major industry in the province.
Saskatchewan is the
world's leading supplier of uranium and potash.
Increasing diversification has reduced agriculture,
forestry, fishing, and hunting combined to less than 7% of
the provincial GDP.
The oil industry is huge and growing.
Only Alberta exceeds
Saskatchewan in oil production and
beef cattle production.
Natural gas production, found almost entirely in the western part
of Saskatchewan, is also a very important part
of the economy.
Forestry is significant in the northern part of the province.
SCHOOLS
The Saskatchewan Ministry of Education
is responsible for early learning and child care,
the K~12 education system, and the Provincial Library.
They provide the foundation for a cohesive learning
system by increasing learning opportunities
throughout the early years, child care, and K~12.
The Ministry strives to make life better for students,
families, and communities so youth can build
a better future in Saskatchewan.
Saskatchewan’s Education System
plays a significant role in the province’s present and
future by establishing a foundation for lifelong learning and
developing citizens who are highly literate with
excellent workplace skills.
Through lifelong learning, all Saskatchewan people
become knowledgeable and skilled citizens
contributing to and benefiting from society and the economy.
For more details please contact the
Saskatchewan Ministry of Education.
HOSPITALITY
Calming landscapes, raging rapids, wildlife, festivals,
cultural events, and
friendly people.
Saskatchewan is waiting for you.
The province is certainly big in size,
but even bigger on adventure.
With a park around every corner and just as many lakes,
Saskatchewan is the ultimate
summer vacation spot,
offering camping, canoeing, hiking, fishing, horseback riding, golfing, and more.
Winter is a season not to be missed either.
From dog~sledding to cross~country skiing to ice~fishing,
your snow covered destination awaits.
After a long day on the road or in the great outdoors,
a friendly welcome and a comfortable bed is waiting for you.
If you just need a scenic, quiet place to pitch your tent,
we've got you covered.
If you're travelling by RV or camper,
you'll find a great place to park your home away from home.
It's your vacation... treat yourself to a variety of choices.
Saskatchewan accommodation
options range from no~frills
to 4~star elegance,
from spa retreats to log cabins,
from budget to luxury.
For more details please contact
Saskatchewan Tourism.
NEWS