NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Canadian prairies

The Canadian prairies is a large area of flat sedimentary land stretching throughout western Canada between the Canadian Shield in the east and the Canadian Rockies. The Canadian prairies – the portion of the Great Plains landform that supports various grasses and shrubs – cover much of the provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta — a region known as the Prairie provinces, Canadian Prairies, or simply the Prairies. (The "p" in prairie(s) is typically capitalized in political references, but not when describing landscapes.) The Prairie provinces are included among the provinces of Western Canada. Image File history File links Canada_Prairie_provinces_map. ... Image File history File links Canada_Prairie_provinces_map. ... Boreal may refer to these: Northern from the eponymous Boreas, god of the North Wind in Greek mythology. ... This article includes a list of works cited but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ... Prairie refers to an area of land of low topographic relief that historically supported grasses and herbs, with few trees, and having generally a mesic (moderate or temperate) climate. ... Canadian Shield The Canadian Shieldâ€” also called the Precambrian Shield, Laurentian Shield, Bouclier Canadien (French), or Laurentian Plateauâ€” is a large shield covered by a thin layer of soil that forms the nucleus of the North American craton. ... Ringrose Peak, Lake OHara, British Columbia, Canada The Canadian Rockies comprise the Canadian segment of the North American Rocky Mountains range. ... The Great Plains covers much of the central United States, portions of Canada and Mexico. ... Temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands is a biome in which the climate is temperate and semi-arid to semi-humid. ... Map of Canada As shown by the map to the left, the North American nation of Canada is a federation which consists of ten provinces that, together with three territories, make up the worlds second largest country in total area. ... Motto: Gloriosus et Liber (Latin: Glorious and free) Capital Winnipeg Largest city Winnipeg Official languages English and French, per mandate of the Constitution Act 1982 Government - Lieutenant-Governor John Harvard - Premier Gary Doer (NDP) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament - House seats 14 - Senate seats 6 Confederation July 15, 1870 (5th... Motto: Multis E Gentibus Vires (Latin: From many peoples strength) Capital Regina Largest city Saskatoon Official languages English Government - Lieutenant-Governor Gordon Barnhart - Premier Lorne Calvert (NDP) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament - House seats 14 - Senate seats 6 Confederation September 1, 1905 (Split from NWT) (9th (province)) Area Ranked 7th... Motto: Fortis et liber (Latin: Strong and free) Official languages English (see below) Flower Wild rose Tree Lodgepole Pine Bird Great Horned Owl Capital Edmonton Largest city Calgary Lieutenant-Governor Norman Kwong Premier Ed Stelmach (PC) Parliamentary representation - House seats - Senate seats 28 6 Area Total - Land - Water (% of total... // Canadian provinces and territories are normally grouped into the following regions (generally from west to east): Northern Canada (The North) Yukon Northwest Territories Nunavut Western Canada British Columbia Prairies Alberta Saskatchewan Manitoba Eastern Canada Central Canada Ontario Quebec Atlantic Canada Maritimes New Brunswick Prince Edward Island Nova Scotia Newfoundland and... Slang In the UK, p is also slang for to urinate. Look up P, p in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Prairie refers to an area of land of low topographic relief that historically supported grasses and herbs, with few trees, and having generally a mesic (moderate or temperate) climate. ... For any word written in a language whose alphabet has distinct cases (such as the Latin, Greek, or Cyrillic alphabets), capitalization (or capitalisation) is the writing of a word with its first letter as a majuscule (upper case letter) and the remaining letters in minuscules (lower case letters). ... Western Canada is a geographic region of Canada, also known as simply the West, generally considered to be west of the province of Ontario. ...

The Canadian prairies are one of the world's major farming areas. Two of the most important commodities are wheat grown in the southern prairies and beef cattle raised in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Further north, sheep are often raised to kill zombies. Farming, ploughing rice paddy, in Indonesia Agriculture is the process of producing food, feed, fiber and other desired products by cultivation of certain plants and the raising of domesticated animals (livestock). ... Species T. aestivum T. boeoticum T. compactum T. dicoccoides T. dicoccon T. durum T. monococcum T. spelta T. sphaerococcum T. timopheevii References: ITIS 42236 2002-09-22 For the indie rock group see: Wheat (band). ... For other uses, see Beef (disambiguation). ... Species See text. ...

Physiography

Three main grassland types occur in the Canadian prairies: tallgrass prairie, mixed prairie, and short-grass or fescue prairie. Each has a unique geographic distribution and characteristic mix of plant species. All but a fraction of one percent of the tallgrass prairie has been converted to cropland. What remains occurs on the 6,000 square kilometre plain centred in the Red River Valley in Manitoba. Mixed prairie is more common and is part of the dry interior plains that extend from Canada south to the US state of Texas. More than half of the remaining native grassland in the Canadian prairies is mixed. Though widespread in southern Saskatchewan and southeastern Alberta, due to extensive cattle grazing, it is estimated that only 24 percent of the original mixed prairie grassland remains. Fescue prairie occurs in the moister regions, occupying the northern extent of the prairies in central and southwestern Alberta and west central Saskatchewan (see map). The tallgrass prairie is an ecosystem native to central North America. ... Species See text Fescue (Festuca) is a genus of about 300 species of tufted grasses, belonging to the grass family Poaceae. ... The Red River Valley is a region in central North America that is drained by the Red River of the North. ... Official language(s) No Official Language See languages of Texas Capital Austin Largest city Houston Area Ranked 2nd - Total 261,797 sq mi (678,051 kmÂ²) - Width 773 miles (1,244 km) - Length 790 miles (1,270 km) - % water 2. ...

The southern Canadian prairies, supporting brown and black soil types, are semi-arid and highly prone to frequent and severe droughts. The region known as Palliser's Triangle is so arid that farming has never been successful there without government help and irrigation. The zones around the cities of Regina and immediately east of Calgary are also very dry. In an average year, southern Saskatchewan receives between 300 mm (12 in) and 510 mm (20 in) of precipitation, with the majority falling between April and June. Frost from October to April (and sometimes even early May) limits the growing season for certain crops. More than half of the prairies' precipitation falls as snow. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1000x769, 301 KB) Map showing the extent of Pallisers Triangle in Western Canada. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1000x769, 301 KB) Map showing the extent of Pallisers Triangle in Western Canada. ... Pallisers Triangle is a geographic area mostly in southern Alberta and Saskatchewan. ... Prairie refers to an area of land of low topographic relief that historically supported grasses and herbs, with few trees, and having generally a mesic (moderate or temperate) climate. ... For the American hard rock band, see Soil (band). ... For the American hard rock band, see Soil (band). ... A drought is a period of time when there is not enough water to support agricultural, urban, human, or environmental water needs. ... Pallisers Triangle is a geographic area mostly in southern Alberta and Saskatchewan. ... High-altitude aerial view of irrigation in the Heart of the Sahara ( ) Irrigation is the replacement or supplementation of rainfall with water from another source in order to grow crops or plants. ... Nickname: The Queen City Motto: Floreat Regina (Let Regina Flourish) Location of Regina in the SE quadrant of Saskatchewan Coordinates: Country Canada Province Saskatchewan District Assiniboia Established 1882 Government - City Mayor Pat Fiacco - Governing body Regina City Council - MPs Dave Batters Ralph Goodale Tom Lukiwski Andrew Scheer - MLAs Joanne Crofford... Calgary is a city in the province of Alberta, Canada. ... Frost on black pipes Frost is a solid deposition of water vapor from saturated air. ... Animation of snowcover changing with the seasons Snow is precipitation in the form of crystalline water ice, consisting of a multitude of snowflakes that fall from clouds. ...

The eastern section of the Canadian prairies in Manitoba, is well watered with several large lakes such as Lake Winnipeg, and several large rivers. The area also gets reasonable amounts of precipitation. The middle sections of Alberta and Saskatchewan are also wetter than the south and have better farmland, despite having a shorter frost-free season. The areas around Edmonton and Saskatoon are especially notable as good crop land. However, Edmonton and Saskatoon both lie far enough north that they are surrounded by aspen parkland rather than fescue prairie. Winnipeg Beach, Manitoba, on Lake Winnipeg Lake Winnipeg (52Â°30â€²N 97Â°47â€²W) is a very large (24,400 kmÂ²) lake in central North America, in the province of Manitoba, Canada, about 55 km north of the city of Winnipeg. ... Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta, situated in the north central region of the province, an area with some of the most fertile farm land on the prairies. ... Saskatoon is a city located in central Saskatchewan, Canada, on the South Saskatchewan River. ... Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta, situated in the north central region of the province, an area with some of the most fertile farm land on the prairies. ... Saskatoon is a city located in central Saskatchewan, Canada, on the South Saskatchewan River. ... The Aspen Parklands Ecoregion // Overview Subsections Central Foothills Peace River Special Features Sand dunes Sand plains Badlands Kame fields Topography Variables Level glacial lakebeds Rolling areas Hummocky Moraine Climate Central Moderate precipitation Moderate temperature Foothills Chinooks Strong winds Peace River Higher precipitation Short summer/Long winter Moderate winds Vegetation There...

Further north, the area becomes too cold for most agriculture besides wild rice operations and sheep raising, and is dominated by boreal forest. The Peace Region in northwestern Alberta is an exception, however. It lies north of the 55th Parallel and is warm and dry enough to support extensive farming. Like the area around Edmonton, aspen parkland is a major biome in the Peace Region. The long daylight hours in this region during the summer are an asset despite having an even shorter growing season than central Alberta. In fact, agriculture plays a major economic role in the Peace Region. Species Zizania aquatica Zizania latifolia Zizania palustris Zizania texana The four species of wild rice comprise the genus Zizania, a group of grasses that grow in shallow water in small lakes and slow-flowing streams. ... Species See text. ... This article includes a list of works cited but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ... Motto: Fortis et liber (Latin: Strong and free) Official languages English (see below) Flower Wild rose Tree Lodgepole Pine Bird Great Horned Owl Capital Edmonton Largest city Calgary Lieutenant-Governor Norman Kwong Premier Ed Stelmach (PC) Parliamentary representation - House seats - Senate seats 28 6 Area Total - Land - Water (% of total... Edmonton is the capital of Alberta, a Canadian province. ... The Aspen Parklands Ecoregion // Overview Subsections Central Foothills Peace River Special Features Sand dunes Sand plains Badlands Kame fields Topography Variables Level glacial lakebeds Rolling areas Hummocky Moraine Climate Central Moderate precipitation Moderate temperature Foothills Chinooks Strong winds Peace River Higher precipitation Short summer/Long winter Moderate winds Vegetation There... Motto: Fortis et liber (Latin: Strong and free) Official languages English (see below) Flower Wild rose Tree Lodgepole Pine Bird Great Horned Owl Capital Edmonton Largest city Calgary Lieutenant-Governor Norman Kwong Premier Ed Stelmach (PC) Parliamentary representation - House seats - Senate seats 28 6 Area Total - Land - Water (% of total...

Recent growth

Some of the prairie region of Canada has seen rapid growth due to a boom in oil production since the mid-20th Century.[1] Alberta has seen a record increase in population, second only to Ontario, and Manitoba has experienced record immigration levels. (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999...

Economy

Primary industries include agriculture (wheat, barley, canola/brassica, oats), zombie killing, and cattle/sheep ranching. Also, natural resources such as tar sands (Fort McMurray, Alberta) and other forms of oil production can be found on the plains. Secondary industries in the consist of the refinement of oils, and agriculture processing. Fort McMurray, colloquially referred to as Fort Mac, is a hamlet in the northeastern part of Canadas western province of Alberta, in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. ...

Culture and politics

The Prairies are distinguished from the rest of Canada by unique cultural and political traits. The oldest influence on Prairie culture are the First Nations, who have lived in the area for centuries. The first Europeans to see the Prairies were fur traders and explorers from eastern Canada. They gave rise to the Métis, famous for their skill in bison hunting. Not until the Canadian Pacific Railway was built did widespread agricultural settlement occur. During their settlement, the prairies were settled in distinct ethnic block settlements giving certain areas a distinctively Ukrainian, German, French, or Scandinavian Canadian cultures. First Nations is a term of ethnicity used in Canada. ... The fur trade was a huge part in the early economic development of North America. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Mestizo. ... Species B. antiquus B. bison B. bonasus B. priscus Bison is a taxonomic genus containing six species of large even-toed ungulates within the subfamily Bovinae. ... An eastbound CPR freight at Stoney Creek Bridge in Rogers Pass. ... A Block settlement is particular type of land distribution which allows settlers with the same ethnicity to form small colonies. ... Scandinavia is a historical and geographical region centered on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe and includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden. ...

Some areas also developed unique cultures around their main economic activity. For example southern Alberta is renowned for its cowboy culture, which developed when real open-range ranching was practiced in the 1880s. Canada's first rodeo, the Raymond Stampede was established in 1902. These influences are also evident in the music of Canada's Prairie Provinces. This can be attributed partially to the massive influx of American settlers who began to migrate to Alberta (and to a lesser extent, Saskatchewan) in the late 1880s due to the end of available land in the United States. The Raymond Stampede is an annual rodeo that is held in the town of Raymond, Alberta, Canada every July 1. ... The city of Edmonton is the musical center of the Prairie Provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta; it is sometimes called the Nashville of the North due to the predominance of country music there. ...

The Prairie Provinces have given rise to the famous "prairie protest" movements, such as the Winnipeg General Strike of 1919, the first general strike in Canadian history. These political movements (both of the left and right) tend to feed off of well established feelings of Western alienation, and each one represents a distinct challenge to the perceived Central Canadian elite. The Prairies continue to have a wide range of political views. While the Conservative Party of Canada enjoys widespread support throughout the region, support for the socialist New Democratic Party can be found in certain areas of Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Crowd gathered outside old City Hall during the Winnipeg General Strike, June 21, 1919 The Winnipeg General Strike of the fags was one of the most influential strikes in Canadian history. ... A general strike is a strike action by an entire labour force in a city, region or country. ... Western Canada, defined politically Political map of Canada Western Alienation refers to the concept in Canadian politics of the Western provinces, namely British Columbia (B.C.), Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, being alienated, and in extreme cases excluded, from mainstream political affairs within the greater Canadian system, in favour of especially... Central Canada, defined politically. ... The Conservative Party of Canada (French: Parti conservateur du Canada), colloquially known as the Tories, is a right-leaning conservative political party in Canada, formed by the merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in December 2003. ... Socialism refers to a broad array of doctrines or political movements that envisage a socio-economic system in which property and the distribution of wealth are subject to social control. ... The New Democratic Party (NDP; Nouveau Parti dÃ©mocratique in French) is a political party in Canada with a progressive social democratic philosophy that contests elections at both the federal and provincial levels. ...

See also

The Dominion Land Survey is the method used to divide most of western Canada into one-square-mile sections for agricultural and other purposes. ...

External links

Categories: Geography of Canada | Regions of Canada | Prairies | Natural history of Alberta | Natural history of Saskatchewan | Natural history of Manitoba Image File history File links Flag_of_Canada. ... This is a list of Canada-related topics. ... Canada is a country of 32 million inhabitants that occupies the northern portion of the North American continent, and is the worlds second largest country in area. ... This is a brief timeline of the history of Canada. ... 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The Coast Mountains are the westernmost range of the Pacific Cordillera, running along the south western shore of the North American continent, extending south from the Alaska Panhandle and covering most of coastal British Columbia. ... Ringrose Peak, Lake OHara, British Columbia, Canada The Canadian Rockies comprise the Canadian segment of the North American Rocky Mountains range. ... Western Canada is a geographic region of Canada, also known as simply the West, generally considered to be west of the province of Ontario. ... Northern Canada, defined politically Northern Canada is the vast northernmost region of Canada variously defined by geography and politics. ... Canadian Shield The Canadian Shieldâ€” also called the Precambrian Shield, Laurentian Shield, Bouclier Canadien (French), or Laurentian Plateauâ€” is a large shield covered by a thin layer of soil that forms the nucleus of the North American craton. ... The Great Lakes from space The Great Lakes are a group of five large lakes in North America on or near the Canada-United States border. ... Central Canada, defined politically. ... The Saint Lawrence River (French fleuve Saint-Laurent) is a large west-to-east flowing river in the middle latitudes of North America, connecting the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean. ... A rainy day in the Great Smoky Mountains, Western North Carolina The Appalachian Mountains are a vast system of North American mountains mostly in the United States, and partly in Canada, forming a zone, from 100 to 300 miles wide, running from the island of Newfoundland some 1,500 miles... The four Canadian Atlantic provinces. ... The Maritime provinces. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... This is a list of incorporated cities of Canada in alphabetical order by province. ... This is a list of the extreme communities in Canada. ... The Canadian National Parks system is run by Parks Canada, which also runs Canadas National Historic Sites. ... The flora of Canada is quite diverse, due to the wide range of ecoregions and environmental conditions present in Canada. ... // Canadian provinces and territories are normally grouped into the following regions (generally from west to east): Northern Canada (The North) Yukon Northwest Territories Nunavut Western Canada British Columbia Prairies Alberta Saskatchewan Manitoba Eastern Canada Central Canada Ontario Quebec Atlantic Canada Maritimes New Brunswick Prince Edward Island Nova Scotia Newfoundland and... The list of rivers in Canada is organized by drainage basin (new format) and province (old format to be removed). ... Banking in Canada is one of the most efficient and safest banking systems in the world. ... The Bank of Canada Building in Ottawa The Bank of Canada is Canadas central bank. ... ISO 4217 Code CAD User(s) Canada Inflation 2. ... 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The following is a list of some important Canadian artists and groups of artists: Individuals Ran Andrews, 1956-, painter Robert Bateman, 1930-, painter Emily Carr, 1871-1945, painter Alex Colville, 1920-, painter Ken Danby, 1940-, painter Charles Daudelin, 1920-2001, sculptor and painter Paterson Ewen, 1925-2002, painter Marcelle Ferron... This is a list of well-known Canadians. ... Canadian national holidays (with provincial exceptions): Each province of Canada has its own provincial holiday or holidays. ... Skating on the Rideau Canal in Ottawa. ... Canadian literature may be divided into two parts, based on their separate roots: one stems from the culture and literature from France; the other from Britain. ... Canadian music includes pop and folk genres; the latter includes forms derived from England, France (particularly in Quebec), Ireland, Scotland, and various Inuit and Indian ethnic groups. ... 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Contents

Recent growth

Economy

Culture and politics

See also

External links