Economy

Manitoba's economy is based mainly on services, manufacturing, and agriculture. Services, especially banking, insurance, and the trading of commodities, account for the largest share of the gross provincial product.

Manufacturing. Processed foods and beverages usually account for the largest value of all manufactured goods. Machinery making, metal fabricating, and the manufacturing of transportation equipment, clothing, and electrical, chemical, and printed products are also important. The manufacturing of electronic equipment is one of the fastest-growing parts of the economy. Most manufacturing is concentrated in and around Winnipeg.

Agriculture is well developed in Manitoba. Large, highly mechanized farms account for most of the production. Crops have long been the principal source of farm income. Most of the cultivated land lies in the southwest, where wheat is the chief crop, followed by oats and barley. Among the Canadian provinces only Saskatchewan and Alberta exceed Manitoba in grain production. Other crops include alfalfa, barley, canola, dry beans, flaxseed, oats, peas, potatoes, rye, and sunflower seeds. Beef cattle and hogs are the principal livestock raised. Dairying is important southeast of Winnipeg.

Mining production in Manitoba consists largely of metals and comes mainly from mines in the north. Of greatest total value are nickel, copper, zinc, and gold. Important nonmetallic minerals include petroleum and sand and gravel.

Lumbering and Fishing. Forests occupy about 60 per cent of Manitoba's land area. White and black spruce, jack pine, aspen, balsam poplar, tamarack, and white birch are among the trees commonly found. About 40 per cent of the forested land is suitable for commercial use. Softwoods, for the pulp and paper industry, make up most of the timber cut.

More than a dozen varieties of fish are caught commercially. Most of the catch, which consists largely of whitefish, pike, and perch, comes from Lakes Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Winnipegosis and is exported fresh to the United States. Sportfishing attracts large numbers of anglers to the province and contributes substantially to the economy.

Transportation. Manitoba's transportation system serves mainly the developed, southern part of the province and focuses on Winnipeg. Most of the railway service is provided by Canada's two transcontinental systems. Most of the trackage branches out of Winnipeg. Southern Manitoba has an extensive system of good intercity roads and highways. The most important route is the east-west Trans-Canada Highway. Air transportation is well developed and serves otherwise inaccessible areas in the north. There is an international airport at Winnipeg.