Map of Saskatchewan and Manitoba

Description:
This map shows cities, towns, parks, rivers, lakes, highways, Trans-Canada highway, and main roads in Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Saskatchewan-Manitoba Provincial Boundary

Saskatchewan and Manitoba share a border running along a series of meridians for approximately 765 kilometers from the Canada-United States border to the 60th parallel north. This boundary separates two Prairie Provinces with distinct characteristics despite their geographic proximity and shared prairie heritage.

Border Geography

The border runs north-south following surveyed meridian lines rather than natural features. South of the 52nd parallel, the boundary primarily follows the western edge of Range 1 West of the Principal Meridian of the Dominion Land Survey system. Farther north, it follows other surveyed lines until reaching the 60th parallel, where both provinces meet Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.

The border region in the south features productive agricultural land with numerous small communities. The northern sections transition through parkland and boreal forest into remote, sparsely populated areas. Unlike many provincial boundaries in Canada, this border does not follow rivers, lakes, or other prominent natural features throughout most of its length.

Historical Establishment

Both provinces were carved from the Northwest Territories in the early 20th century. Manitoba became a province in 1870, initially as a small territory around the Red River Settlement. Saskatchewan was established on September 1, 1905, alongside Alberta. When Saskatchewan was created, Manitoba's western boundary was already defined, having been extended westward from its original limits in 1881. The straight-line border reflects the systematic survey system implemented across the western prairies during the late 19th century.

Demographic and Economic Comparison

Saskatchewan has a population of approximately 1.26 million people, slightly smaller than Manitoba's 1.5 million. Both provinces experienced similar patterns of European settlement beginning in the late 1800s. Regina, Saskatchewan's capital, and Saskatoon, its largest city, serve as the province's main urban centers. Winnipeg dominates Manitoba's urban landscape and serves as the commercial hub for much of the Prairie region.

Agriculture remains vital to both provincial economies. Saskatchewan is particularly known for wheat production and contains significant potash deposits near the border region. Manitoba's economy includes substantial hydroelectric power generation and a more diversified industrial base in Winnipeg. Both provinces face challenges related to rural depopulation and agricultural consolidation.