Where in the World is Winnipeg?

Sometime in the beginning of November my friend Andrea, sent me an e-mail titled 'where in the world is winnipeg?'
Took me until December to finally read it and once I did, I found it very interesting. At the end of the e-mail, I noticed the link to Maria's Place and so I clicked on it to find the contents of the e-mail about Winnipeg, was at Maria's Place website. So, I contacted Maria (turns out she is neither Italian or Portuguese but from Finland) and asked if I could get permission to add 'where in the world is winnipeg?' to my blog and she so kindly said 'yes'
Thank you Maria Harden. Here is where it originates http://www.mts.net/~mahnjh/winnipeg.htm She did this many years ago when she was recuperating from surgery.


WHERE IN THE WORLD IS WINNIPEG, MANITOBA ?

Welcome to the city of Winnipeg, in the province of Manitoba, in central Canada. Winnipeg is on the prairies, so it's safe to conclude we are on flat ground. How flat is it? Well, it's so flat that if you let your horse out of the barn, you can still see him running three days later!
Winnipeg is located at the junction of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers. It is the eighth largest city in Canada, as well as the capital of Manitoba, and has a population of approximately 640,000. (update: we have way more then that now)
This is where we are in the world.


Winnipeg has very distinct seasons, and for this reason, is known as " Winterpeg." In the spring, when we sometimes have a tendency to flood, we are known as "Waterpeg." We also have the distinction of supposedly having the windiest corner in North America, and for this reason, we are also known as "Windypeg."
Some say that in Winnipeg, winter is just an accident waiting to happen. Maybe so, but one thing we know for sure, is that Winnipeg is no place for wimps. Even mosquitoes die at -4 C. (too bad it has to get that cold for mosquitoes to die...why can't they die in the summer?!)
Despite our complaining about the frigid temperatures we sometimes get, Canadians in general are proud of their hardiness and almost enjoy battling the weather.One thing you often hear us say, is, "But it's a dry cold!" As though that makes any difference when it's -40 C.

Winnipeg is also known for some special food products. We love our Winnipeg cream cheese, made-in-Winnipeg wieners and garlic sausage, Kub rye bread, Jeanne's Bakery cakes (with the shortbread crust), and Old Dutch potato chips.
We also have quite an array of local eateries. Everyone has their favourites. These are a few of mine.
Alycia's is a small Ukrainian restaurant in the north end of the city, that offers authentic Ukrainian food, including their famous borscht and perogies. Good stick-to-your-ribs kind of food; and their breakfasts are a bargain too.
Lisi's Ranch House is another treasure that has consistently good home cooked meals. Don't pass this one up.
Maxime's is probably the best kept secret around town; since they do not advertise, and yet they do a remarkable business on word-of-mouth alone. They don't take reservations, so get there early. What can I tell you about the food, except that it is plentiful and delicious. This one is a must.
Soup Pierre has a wide variety of gourmet soups, complete with the freshest bread. You can even sample the soup before you buy it. Go early, or you will be caught up in the noon hour rush.
Alfie's offers bargain breakfasts and claims to have the best club house sandwich. I must agree that it is exceptional. Give this one a try. You can even play pool there.

SOME INTERESTING STATISTICS:
Average Low in the winter of 1996 was -28 C ( -18 F)
In 1996 we had 17 consecutive days below -20 C, and 12 consecutive days below -30 C.
Winnipeg has over 900 restaurants, which is said to be more per capita, than any other North American city.
Winnipeg was the proud host of the 1999 Pan Am Games.
Winnipeg has two beaches. One is Grand Beach, and the other is Winnipeg Beach. Both are located on Lake Winnipeg, which is Canada's 5th largest lake. They are within a short driving distance of the city, and have the white sand that tropical vacations are made of.
Winnipeg has many talented musicians who have gotten their start here. A short list would include Burton Cummings, The Guess Who, Crash Test Dummies, Chantal Kreviazuk, Ma-Anne Dionisio, Tom Jackson, Neil Young, and so many more.
Did you know Winnipeg is called the Christmas Capital of Canada?

LINKS of INTEREST
Winnipeg's Claim To Fame A surprising fact regarding a certain bear...
The Flood of 1997 The worst flood in 147 years -- right here.
Tourism Winnipeg Everything you need to know
Winnipeg Movies On-line Where, when...regularily updated.
Oh Canada - The All Canadian Web Site Patriotism at its best.
The Winnipeg Sun One of our daily newspapers.
The Winnipeg Free Press Another of our dailies.
Winnipeg Transit All about the transit system, routes, etc.
Winnipeg Restaurants Three simple ways to view restaurant menues.