Prairie Region
General Description
This region covers Canada’s central plains—from grasslands to wooded country to plateaus.
Who lives Where?
More than 5 million people live in the three prairie provinces. Farming was once the main activity here, but today the oil and gas business is booming in Alberta. As a result, Alberta is the fastest-growing province in Canada.
Language
European settlers first came to this region to farm. Now oil in Alberta attracts newcomers. English is the first language for more than four out of five people who live in this region.But people who speak French, German, and Ukrainian have moved here too, seeking work and homes.
Entertainment
Churchill is called the “Polar Bear Capital of the World.” In the fall, more than a thousand polar bears pass through the town to gather at Hudson Bay. There they wait for the bay to freeze so they can hunt for food. And every fall, people travel to Churchill to see this event.
Structures
Farms cover the southern part of this region, with the typical farm sitting on hundreds of acres of land. Beside the barn is a silo, a tall, round structure used for storing grain. Farmers in this rural region usually grow spring wheat.
Economy
This region produces half of the country’s farm products. Its southern plains are good for raising grains, such as wheat and barley, as well as livestock. Mining is also important—more than half of Canada’s minerals are mined here. They include coal, nickel, copper, zinc, and uranium.