The People

Many early settlers in Manitoba were primarily of British or French origin. But changes in migration and immigration patterns have produced an ethnically diverse population. Manitoba is home to dozens of groups from all over the world, who have enriched the province's economy, culture and society. It boasts a significant Francophone community.

Although Manitoba is one of the smaller

provinces in population, it is an important centre for a number of ethnic groups. It is one of the most important centres of Ukrainian culture outside Ukraine and has one of the largest populations of Mennonites in the world. More than 128 000 people are of Aboriginal or Métis origin. There are also many Manitobans of Icelandic origin. About 60 percent of Manitoba's nearly 1.15 million people live in metropolitan Winnipeg, the provincial capital. The second-largest city is Brandon, in southwestern Manitoba.