Difference between revisions of "Saskatchewan"
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| − | Saskatchewan is the middle of the three prairie provinces of [[Canada]] between [[Alberta]] and [[Manitoba]]. | + | Saskatchewan is the middle of the three prairie provinces of [[Canada]] between [[Alberta]] and [[Manitoba]]. With one million people, it has 227,134 square miles of land and water surface (588,276 square kilometers). Saskatchewan started to grow when the [[Canadian Pacific Railway]] was built in the early 1880s; it was part of the Northwest Territories until 1905, whrn it became a province having equal status with the other provinces (which are similar to U.S. states). |
==Geography== | ==Geography== | ||
The name '''Saskatchewan''' is derived from the Cree word kisiskâciwanisîpikikimasiy meaning ''swift-flowing river.'' | The name '''Saskatchewan''' is derived from the Cree word kisiskâciwanisîpikikimasiy meaning ''swift-flowing river.'' | ||
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Saskatchewan's geography includes [[prairie]]s, tree-covered [[plain]]s, [[forest]]s, and [[taiga]]. The climate is continental, characterized by large seasonal [[temperature]] ranges and low [[precipitation]]. It is one of two completely landlocked Canadian Provinces. European contact with Indian peoples occurred during the [[fur]] trade era, and increased when agricultural settlement began in the late 19th century. In the early 20th century, that settlement history produced a largely agrarian population concentrated on [[farm]]s and in communities across the prairie. | Saskatchewan's geography includes [[prairie]]s, tree-covered [[plain]]s, [[forest]]s, and [[taiga]]. The climate is continental, characterized by large seasonal [[temperature]] ranges and low [[precipitation]]. It is one of two completely landlocked Canadian Provinces. European contact with Indian peoples occurred during the [[fur]] trade era, and increased when agricultural settlement began in the late 19th century. In the early 20th century, that settlement history produced a largely agrarian population concentrated on [[farm]]s and in communities across the prairie. | ||
==Economy== | ==Economy== | ||
| + | Although it lacks the vast oil wealth of nearby Alberta, Saskatchewan has enjoyed prosperity in recent decades. In 2006, provincial Gross Domestic Product was over $36 billion. Labour unions are moderately active in the cities and mining districts.<ref>Bob Russell, ''More with Less: Work Reorganization in the Canadian Mining Industry'' (1999) </ref> | ||
| − | + | ===Agriculture=== | |
| + | Saskatchewan is a major agricultural producer. Although fewer than 65,000 farms remain, they are large and highly mechanized, and produce two-thirds of the nation's wheat. With soaring prices on the world market, wheat has been a major money maker. Production fluctuates widely according to the weather and rainfall. | ||
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| + | Wheat has always been the primary farm export, but many farmers are increasing production of [[canola]], used for cooking oil. Manufacturing, mining, petroleum also make up over 20% of the economy. | ||
| + | ===Mining=== | ||
| + | Saskatchewan is the world's largest exporter of potash, a vital ingredient in fertilizer, via the state-owned [[PotashCorp]].<ref>See [http://www.potashcorp.com/about_potashcorp/at_a_glance/potash/ "At a Glance" (2006)</ref> | ||
| + | Mineral resources include world-class deposits of [[potash]] and [[uranium]] as evidenced by cities with names like ''Uranium City''. | ||
| + | ====Petroleum==== | ||
| + | Saskatchewan has a growing oil and gas industry, though on a smaller scale than Alberta, and has pipelines carrying Alberta oil east. The main deposits are part of the vast "Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin", stretching from [[British Columbia]] to [[Manitoba]], as well as parts of [[Montana]] and [[North Dakota]]. <ref>See [http://www.eboardoftrade.com/files/Miscellaneous/Oil_Sands_in_Sask.pdf "Oil Sands in Saskatchewan" (2006)</ref> | ||
| + | |||
| + | The first commercial oil was discovered in 1944. The province produces 17% of total Canadian oil production. Crude oil production in 2006 was a record 24.84 million cubic metres (156.3 million barrels). Remaining recoverable reserves at December 31, 2005 were estimated to be 187 million cubic metres (1.18 billion barrels).<ref>See [http://www.ir.gov.sk.ca/adx/aspx/adxGetMedia.aspx?DocID=5871,5775,2936,Documents&MediaID=18882&Filename=crude.pdf "Fact Sheet: Oil in Saskatchewan" (2006)</ref> Production is centered in four regions: Lloydminster, Kindersley-Kerrobert, Swift Current, and Weyburn-Estevan.<ref>See [http://www.gov.sk.ca/Default.aspx?DN=4a57f37e-88de-4da5-b6a8-411793a739d5 "Oil and Gas Industry"</ref> | ||
| + | |||
| + | Undeveloped oil sands are located near [[Churchill Lake]]. Unlike Alberta's booming Athabasca Oil Sands, Saskatechewan's deposits are located deeper and cannot be surface-mined.<ref>See [http://www.gasandoil.com/goc/news/ntn53965.htm "Oil in Saskatchewan"</ref> | ||
==Politics== | ==Politics== | ||
| − | + | In the 1930s and 1940s the left was strong here. In 1944 [[Tommy Douglas]] became the first overtly socialist premier of any regional (state or provincial) government in North America. The nationwide New Democratic Party (NDP), originally named the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF), began here and Douglas was its first federal leader. | |
==Population== | ==Population== | ||
The population has hovered around one million in recent decades. | The population has hovered around one million in recent decades. | ||
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The Indian ("Native" or "First Nation") population is about 10%. | The Indian ("Native" or "First Nation") population is about 10%. | ||
| + | ====Notes==== | ||
| + | <references/> | ||
[[Category:Canada]] | [[Category:Canada]] | ||
== External Links == | == External Links == | ||
* [http://www.sasktourism.com/ Tourism Saskatchewan] | * [http://www.sasktourism.com/ Tourism Saskatchewan] | ||
Revision as of 20:35, November 2, 2008
Saskatchewan is the middle of the three prairie provinces of Canada between Alberta and Manitoba. With one million people, it has 227,134 square miles of land and water surface (588,276 square kilometers). Saskatchewan started to grow when the Canadian Pacific Railway was built in the early 1880s; it was part of the Northwest Territories until 1905, whrn it became a province having equal status with the other provinces (which are similar to U.S. states).
Geography
The name Saskatchewan is derived from the Cree word kisiskâciwanisîpikikimasiy meaning swift-flowing river.
Saskatchewan's geography includes prairies, tree-covered plains, forests, and taiga. The climate is continental, characterized by large seasonal temperature ranges and low precipitation. It is one of two completely landlocked Canadian Provinces. European contact with Indian peoples occurred during the fur trade era, and increased when agricultural settlement began in the late 19th century. In the early 20th century, that settlement history produced a largely agrarian population concentrated on farms and in communities across the prairie.
Economy
Although it lacks the vast oil wealth of nearby Alberta, Saskatchewan has enjoyed prosperity in recent decades. In 2006, provincial Gross Domestic Product was over $36 billion. Labour unions are moderately active in the cities and mining districts.[1]
Agriculture
Saskatchewan is a major agricultural producer. Although fewer than 65,000 farms remain, they are large and highly mechanized, and produce two-thirds of the nation's wheat. With soaring prices on the world market, wheat has been a major money maker. Production fluctuates widely according to the weather and rainfall.
Wheat has always been the primary farm export, but many farmers are increasing production of canola, used for cooking oil. Manufacturing, mining, petroleum also make up over 20% of the economy.
Mining
Saskatchewan is the world's largest exporter of potash, a vital ingredient in fertilizer, via the state-owned PotashCorp.[2] Mineral resources include world-class deposits of potash and uranium as evidenced by cities with names like Uranium City.
Petroleum
Saskatchewan has a growing oil and gas industry, though on a smaller scale than Alberta, and has pipelines carrying Alberta oil east. The main deposits are part of the vast "Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin", stretching from British Columbia to Manitoba, as well as parts of Montana and North Dakota. [3]
The first commercial oil was discovered in 1944. The province produces 17% of total Canadian oil production. Crude oil production in 2006 was a record 24.84 million cubic metres (156.3 million barrels). Remaining recoverable reserves at December 31, 2005 were estimated to be 187 million cubic metres (1.18 billion barrels).[4] Production is centered in four regions: Lloydminster, Kindersley-Kerrobert, Swift Current, and Weyburn-Estevan.[5]
Undeveloped oil sands are located near Churchill Lake. Unlike Alberta's booming Athabasca Oil Sands, Saskatechewan's deposits are located deeper and cannot be surface-mined.[6]
Politics
In the 1930s and 1940s the left was strong here. In 1944 Tommy Douglas became the first overtly socialist premier of any regional (state or provincial) government in North America. The nationwide New Democratic Party (NDP), originally named the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF), began here and Douglas was its first federal leader.
Population
The population has hovered around one million in recent decades. The 2006 population of Saskatchewan was 985,000 people. It's largest city is Saskatoon at 202,000, followed by Regina, the provincial capital with 180,000 people. The cities then get much smaller with only two having more than 30,000 people; Prince Albert has 34,000 people while Moose Jaw has a population of 32,000.
The Indian ("Native" or "First Nation") population is about 10%.
Notes
- ↑ Bob Russell, More with Less: Work Reorganization in the Canadian Mining Industry (1999)
- ↑ See [http://www.potashcorp.com/about_potashcorp/at_a_glance/potash/ "At a Glance" (2006)
- ↑ See [http://www.eboardoftrade.com/files/Miscellaneous/Oil_Sands_in_Sask.pdf "Oil Sands in Saskatchewan" (2006)
- ↑ See [http://www.ir.gov.sk.ca/adx/aspx/adxGetMedia.aspx?DocID=5871,5775,2936,Documents&MediaID=18882&Filename=crude.pdf "Fact Sheet: Oil in Saskatchewan" (2006)
- ↑ See [http://www.gov.sk.ca/Default.aspx?DN=4a57f37e-88de-4da5-b6a8-411793a739d5 "Oil and Gas Industry"
- ↑ See [http://www.gasandoil.com/goc/news/ntn53965.htm "Oil in Saskatchewan"