Winnipeg - Community Overview

The name Winnipeg is derived from the Cree word meaning “muddy waters”. Winnipeg was founded in 1734 as a fur trading settlement and became a trading post for the Hudsons Bay Company in 1870.

The French explorer Pierre de Laverendrye is credited as being the city’s founder, but archeological evidence shows that nomadic First Nations people had been meeting here for thousands of years previously. The settlement grew rapidly between 1896 and 1910 and soon became the commercial centre for Canada’s grain trade. Winnipeg was incorporated in 1873. It was nicknamed “the Chicago of the North”, as the similarities between the two cities were remarkable.

Winnipeg is an important grain centre for the American continent. As the Gateway to the West, Winnipeg is the financial, commercial, wholesale and manufacturing centre of the Middle West. These varied economic activities give balance and stability to the city.

One force that has forged this great city is the rich cosmopolitan make-up of the population. Since the arrival of the first settlers from Scotland and France, Winnipeg has welcomed large numbers of immigrants from all corners of the globe. Their skills and talents have shaped the character of the city.

Tourism is the latest growing industry, particularly since 1975 when Winnipeg built a multi-million dollar convention centre that can host gatherings with up to 10,000 delegates. Only 102 kilometres from the U.S. border, the city is easily reached by highway, rail and major airlines.

New Residents will discover a city that is large enough to offer the attractions of a major metropolis, yet is so compact that it is still friendly and easy to get around. Winnipeg is a clean, safe, comfortable community with a bustling downtown and tree-lined residential streets.

Winnipeg is a great centre for the sports-minded. After a 15 year absence, the City of Winnipeg is now home to a new National Hockey League franchise, The Winnipeg Jets. It is also the home of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League. 

The City of Winnipeg is the capital and largest community in Manitoba. Winnipeg is situated at the confluence of the Red River and Assiniboine River. It is located on the Trans-Canada Highway and Highway #75, which leads south to the US border.

Winnipeg is one of Canada's largest cities, with a population of approximately 671,274.

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