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ManitobaINTRODUCTION Manitoba grew out of the North West Territories in 1870, and is the home of the first western settlement in the prairies. The majority of the population lives in the southern region, with the northern stretches enjoying a mix of forest and tundra. The capital city of Winnipeg is the fastest growing region in the province, with approximately 60% of the total population. Manitoba is the smallest of the prairie provinces, and eighth largest overall. HISTORY Evidence of First Nations settlers to the area of Manitoba suggests a number of tribes making use of both the agricultural potential and the varied wildlife. The oldest housing dates back nearly 2,000 years.In 1611, English explorer Henry Hudson landed in what is now the Hudson Bay. An outpost was quickly established and by the 1660s the Hudson's Bay Company was founded to manage trade in the area. The company extended its reach from what is now Ontario through to the Rocky Mountains. The success of the Hudson's Bay Company attracted many European explorers, and before long settlements had reached as far south as Lake Winnipeg. The arrival of Scottish and French traders led to the growth of the Métis culture, predominantly through the 17th century. The Métis remain strong in modern Canada, though in the early years the culture suffered from strong racial prejudices. The arrival of the North West Company promoted commercial trade throughout the region, competing with the Hudson's Bay Company. The outbreak of the French and Indian War in 1754 saw French and First Nations residents rise against British expansion and control over the area. Fighting on Canadian soil came to an end with the French surrender of 1960, though the war would not end for another three years. The result British rule over virtually all of Canada, including the French colonies. The Quebec Act of 1774 made accommodations for French civil law, while the province came under the jurisdiction of British common law. The 1800s saw attention turn primarily to agricultural efforts. Settlements were established in the area surrounding Winnipeg, in spite of the heavy trade rivalries of the Hudson's Bay and North West companies. Several forts had been built, sacked and rebuilt by the two rivals, but by 1821 the two companies merged. The Hudson's Bay Company emerged victorious, as the North West Company was absorbed into its ranks. Fort Garry became the preeminent outpost, and would eventually grow into the city of Winnipeg. Growing resentment by First Nations residents ran high, and by the 1870s led to outright hostilities. The Red River Rebellion, under Métis leader Louis Riel,led to the formation of the Province of Manitoba under the Canadian Confederation. The Manitoba Act included provisions for Métis children such as separate French schools, demanded by Riel. In 1890, English became the official language, and the funding of French programs was removed. Anti-Catholic sentiment ran high, and political parties used this as leverage to gain power. In the end the Liberal party won, placing Wilfrid Laurier in the seat of Prime Minister of Canada. Laurier was a supporter of provincial rights issues, and made allowance for 30 minutes of French education at the end of each day, providing there was enough interest from the student body. By the turn of the century, Winnipeg had grown into the fourth largest city in the nation. Construction saw a boom and the population grew, and many historic sites from this era remain. The province continued to expand, taking on new territory and by 1912 had absorbed the land that now comprises the Province of Manitoba. Treaties with First Nations residents guaranteed a percentage of the land for their use, some of which is in dispute to this day. These issues, coupled with the growing resentment held by French settlers who felt their rights were being dissolved led to hostilities and protests against the provincial leaders. The onset of the First World War slowed progress, with national revenues being diverted to the war effort. Winnipeg remained the fasted growing region in the province, but would fall behind as other cities began to expand. The post war years were difficult, with low wages and even lower prices for crops. Discontent led to workers going on strike, shutting down the city for six weeks. Manitoba was slow to recover from the troubled post war economy. Labor conditions, however, began to improve largely as a result of the strike. This all changed with the stock market crash of 1929. Record unemployment was only made worse by the low agricultural prices, and the Winnipeg region was hit with a drought. Troubled times would last until the beginning of the Second World War. In 1939, thousands of Canadians joined the war effort. The military bases in Winnipeg were forced to expand, taking over new buildings to house the many volunteers. The situation was made more evident when Winnipeg was chosen as one of the central bases for the training of flight engineers, pilots and navigators, bombers, gunners and communications personnel. This time, the post war years were kind to the province. The population began to grow and housing became a prominent industry. This was only slightly dampened during the Red River Flood of 1950, when a large portion of the population had to be evacuated. In 1972, Winnipeg merged with surrounding communities, including St. Boniface, St. Vital and Fort Garry, now all historic centers in the City of Winnipeg. The region again saw economic struggle during the recession years of the 1980s, but would bounce back strongly. Several major employers would move to the capital, including Ben Moss Jewelers, CanWest Global Communications, Great-West Life Assurance and Boeing Canada Technology. The Royal Canadian Mint also calls Manitoba home, based out of Winnipeg. In the early years of the new millennium, Winnipeg became the third fastest growing economic region in the country, and secured a position in Canada's Top Ten cities for business. 
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