26 TRAVEL PLANNER
About
Manitoba
At the longitudinal
centre of Canada
Size:
649,950 sq km
(250,000 sq mi)
Population:
1.3 million
Ecozones:
prairie, boreal plains,
boreal shield,
tundra and taiga,
Hudson plains
100,000+
Lakes and Waterways
92
Provincial Parks and
Park Reserves
4
Canadian
Heritage Rivers
2
National Parks
1
UNESCO World
Heritage Site
Time Zone:
Central Standard
Taxes and Tipping
Goods and services purchased in
Manitoba are subject to a 7 per cent
Provincial Sales Tax (PST) and a 5 per
cent Federal Goods and Services Tax (GST).
Many cities in the province also charge an
accommodation tax.
Tipping between 10 and 20 per cent
is customary for services provided
in Manitoba, including taxi drivers,
tour guides, hotel staff and meal service.
Gratuity is generally not included on the bill.
Climate
Manitoba boasts four distinct seasons
thanks to its continental climate.
Average summer temperatures:
+26°C (79° F)
Average winter temperatures:
-12° C (10° F)
2,300 hours of sunlight annually
Average annual precipitation:
497 mm (19.5 in)
Language
Manitoba's official languages are English
and French. English is the most spoken
language throughout the province and
there are 17 bilingual municipalities.
Many service providers in Winnipeg and
throughout the province offer English and
French services.
