Western Canada - Definition and Overview

Western Canada normally refers to three or four Canadian provinces:

• British Columbia (a few exclude the coast)
• Alberta
• Saskatchewan
• Manitoba (possibly)

Western British Columbia adjoins the Pacific Ocean but both Alberta and Saskatchewan are landlocked. Manitoba is almost landlocked but for a small coastal area of Hudson Bay on the north east border.

The term is sometimes disputed by residents of the most Western provinces (British Columbia and Alberta) because Manitoba is, geographically speaking, the centre of Canada. Therefore, another possible division is to put Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia in Western Canada and Manitoba in Central Canada. It has also be pointed out that Manitoba sports teams are predominantly in the Eastern Divisions of their leagues. As well, coastal British Columbia is culturally very different from the rest of Western Canada (more in common with coastal Washington state, Oregon and northern California) so it could be classed separately.

British Columbia enjoys a moderated climate due to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean. Alberta incorporates the Canadian Rocky Mountains and benefits from frequent moderate climatic conditions known as "chinooks" where warm winds raise the winter temperature sufficiently to allow a full range of winter sports and the occasional game of golf. Saskatchewan and Manitoba experience extremes in weather, although Manitoba suffers the brunt of both extremes more so than Saskatchewan. Winter in Manitoba can be clasified as harse with arctic winds and -40 degree temperatures the norm. The extreme nature of the Manitoba climate has resulted in the capital city's nickname "Winterpeg".

Weather and economic conditions have contributed to a net out migration from Manitoba and Saskatchewan, the beneficiaries being the two stronger economies of Alberta and British Columbia. These and other socio-economic elements have resulted in British Columbia being referred to as "God's Country" and "Lotus Land"; Alberta as "The Alberta Advantage" or "The Land of Opportunity"; Saskatchewan as "The Land of Living Skies"; and Manitoba as "Canada's Arkansas".

See also: Canadian Arctic, Central Canada, Atlantic Canada

• List of regions of Canada

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