Saskatchewan+Geography

Saskatchewan Geography
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Topography: The northern part of Saskatchewan lies on the Canadian Shield geologic formation which stretches across much of Canada. As a result, there are numerous lakes (nearly 100,000), rivers, bogs, and rocky outcroppings. About one-eighth of the entire province is covered with water. The southern part of the province is relatively flat prairie, with occasional valleys created by erosion from the glacial era. The south is where most of the population lives. The highest point is at Cypress Hills, 4,566 feet (1,392 meters) above sea level. The province has three major river systems, which all empty into Hudson Bay: North and South Saskatchewan, Assiniboine, and Churchill. Saskatoon, the largest city, is divided by the South Saskatchewan River.

Resources: About one-third of Saskatchewan's area consists of cultivated lands. In 1905, when Saskatchewan entered the Canadian confederation, agriculture was the only industry and it centered on wheat farming. In 1907, the development of the Marquis strain of wheat (a fast-growing type that thrives in the short but intense growing season of the northern prairie) expanded farming and settlement in northern Saskatchewan. Saskatoons (a berry) and strawberries are the top fruit crops produced. The top field-grown vegetable crops are sweet corn, cabbage, and green peas. In 2005, the total wheat production was about 13.7 million metric tons. Other crops that year included 4.6 million metric tons of canola and 2.4 million metric tons of peas. Specialty crops in 2005 included about 170,000 metric tons of mustard seeds and 11,700 metric tons of sunflower seeds. There were 50,598 farms operating in Saskatchewan in 2001. The total farm area that year was 64.9 million acres (26.3 million hectares), and 37.9 million acres (15.4 million hectares) were used for crops. In 2001, 773 farms were growing certified organic products. There were 298 farms with greenhouses under glass, plastic, or other protection. There were 9 sod farms, 44 farms growing Christmas trees, and 94 farms growing nursery products in 2001. In 2005, total farm ash receipts were about c$6.2 billion.

Population:  Saskatchewan's estimated population, as of 1 April 2006, stood at 968,157. Of Canada's 13 provinces or territories, Saskatchewan was among those that experienced a decline in population from the previous year's total. Saskatchewan's population density is the lowest among the four provinces of western Canada. As of 2006, 19% of all residents were under 14 years of age. The median age increased from 32.6 years in 1991 to 36.7 years in 2001. That was still younger than the national average of 37.6 years, however. Saskatoon had 202,340 residents in 2006, while Regina had 179,246. Other large cities and their populations include Prince Albert, 34,138; Moose Jaw, 32,132; Yorkton, 15,038; Swift Current, 14,946; and North Battleford, 13,190.

Climate: The whole province enjoys a hot, dry summer. The town of Estevan in the southeast averages 2,540 hours of sunshine per year, more than any other city in Canada. In Regina, the normal daily temperature ranges from 0°f (−18°c) in January to 66°f (19°c) in July. Normal daily temperatures for Saskatoon are −2°f (−19°c) in January and 66°f (19°c) in July. The recorded high temperature in Saskatchewan of 113°f (45°c) was set on 5 July 1937 at Midale; the record low, −70°f (−56.7°c), was set on 1 February 1893 at Prince Albert.

Information Taken From: Saskatchewan Facts