Geography
The name Saskatchewan comes from the Cree word “kisiskatchewanisipi,” which means “swift-flowing river.” Saskatchewan is bordered by Manitoba to the east, the Northwest Territories to the north, Alberta to the west and the US States of North Dakota and Montana to the south. Its landscape is mainly prairie, parkland, forests and lakes. Prince Albert National Park is the gateway to Saskatchewan’s wilderness.
Climate
Camel caravans might not seem inappropriate in some parts of Saskatchewan. One can find sand dunes 30 meters high and semi-arid vegetation in Athabaska provincial park. Nowhere else in the world are there dunes this far north. The whole province enjoys a hot, dry summer. Saskatchewan is temperate in the south with cold winters in the north. The highest rainfall occurs between April and June. Summers are hot and dry with long hours of sunshine, but winter temperatures are generally cold and snowy until early March, but sunny.
Culture
Although Canada is officially bilingual (English and French), English is more commonly spoken in Saskatchewan. Research and development is evolving in Saskatchewan, thanks in part to Saskatoon’s Innovation Centre. The province’s technological potential in agriculture, space technology and biotechnology is growing rapidly.
Industry
Saskatchewan is dependent on agriculture and today produces 42 percent of Canada’s wheat, 39 percent of its canola, 35 percent of its rye and 20 percent of its barley.