Coordinates: 55°7′N, 106°3′W
Saskatchewan (IPA: /sə.skætʃ.ə.'ʍɔn/), (middle of Canada's three prairie provinces, has an area of 588,276.09 square kilometres (227,134.67 sq mi) and population of 990,212 (according to 2007 estimates), mostly living in the southern half of the province. Of these, 202,340 live in the province's largest city, Saskatoon, while 179,246 live in the provincial capital, Regina. Other major cities, in order of size, are Prince Albert, Moose Jaw, Yorkton, Swift Current, and North Battleford.
The province's name comes from the Saskatchewan River, whose name comes from its Cree designation: kisiskāciwani-sīpiy, meaning "swift flowing river".

Geography
Saskatchewan lies very far from any significant body of water, deep within the continent of North America. It is about a 20-hour drive from the Pacific Ocean and a three-day drive from the Atlantic Ocean. This, combined with its northerly latitude gives it a cold summer type humid continental climate (Köppen type Dfb) in the eastern half, drying off to a semi-arid steppe climate (Köppen type Bsk) in the western part of the province. Summers can be very hot, with temperatures above 32°C (90°F) during the day. Warm southern winds blow from the United states during much of July and August. While winters can be bitterly cold, with high temperatures not breaking −17°C (0°F) for weeks at a time, warm chinook winds often blow from the south, bringing periods of mild weather. Annual precipitation averages from 12 to 18 inches annually across the province, with the bulk of rain falling in June, July, and August. [3]

Climate
Ten largest municipalities by population
Note that the list does not include Lloydminster, which has a total population of 24,028 but straddles the Alberta-Saskatchewan border. As of 2001, only 8,118 people lived on the Saskatchewan side, which would make it Saskatchewan's 11th largest municipality. All of the listed communities are considered cities by the province, with the exception of Corman Park, which is a rural municipality. Municipalities in the province with a population of 5000 or more receive official city status.

Municipalities
Saskatchewan's economy is associated with agriculture; however, increasing diversification has meant that now agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting together make up only 6.8% of the province's GDP. Saskatchewan grows 45% of Canada's grain. Wheat is the most familiar crop, and perhaps the one stereotypically associated with the province, but other grains like canola, flax, rye, oats, peas, lentils, canary seed, and barley are also produced. Beef cattle production in the province is only exceeded by Alberta. Mining is also a major industry in the province, with Saskatchewan being the world leader in potash exports. In the northern part of the province, forestry is significant.
Oil and Natural Gas production is also a very important part of Saskatchewan's economy. Oil and natural gas production is only exceeded by Alberta. Heavy crude is extracted in the Lloydminster-Kerrobert-Kindersley areas. Light crude is found in the Kindersley-Swift Current areas as well as the Weyburn-Estevan fields. Natural gas is found almost entirely in the western part of Saskatchewan, from the Primrose Lake area through Lloydminster, Unity, Kindersley, Leader, and around Maple Creek areas.
Saskatchewan is also the world's largest supplier of uranium, and supplies much of the western world. The uranium industry is closely regulated by the provincial government which allows the government of Saskatchewan great latitude in setting world uranium prices.
Saskatchewan's GDP in 2006 was approximately C$45.051 billion, with economic sectors breaking down in the following way:
A list of the top 100 companies includes The Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, Federated Cooperatives Ltd. and IPSCO.
Crown corporations include major Saskatchewan-based entities are, Saskatchewan Governement Insurance (SGI), SaskTel, SaskEnergy (the province's main supplier of natural gas), and SaskPower. Bombardier runs the NATO Flying Training Centre at 15 Wing, near Moose Jaw. Bombardier was awarded a long-term contract in the late 1990s for $2.8 billion from the federal government for the purchase of military aircraft and the running of the training facility.

Economy

Main article: History of Saskatchewan History

Main article: Politics of Saskatchewan Politics

Main article: Demographics of Saskatchewan Demographics
The Tabulated Data covers the previous fiscal year (e.g. 2007 covers April 1, 2006 - March 31, 2007). All data is in $1,000s.
* This value reflects the debt of all Government Service Organizations as well as Crown Corporations.
** The Provincial Sales Tax was reduced from 7% to 5% effective October 28, 2006.
Source: Government of Saskatchewan.

Provincial Finances

Main articles: Education in Saskatchewan and List of Saskatchewan school divisions Education

Saskatchewan's licence plates depict three stalks of wheat and bear the slogan "Land of Living Skies."
Saskatchewan's heraldic shield contains a red lion on a yellow field, reversing the conventional heraldic colours, indicating the prairie fires of this region during the pre-settlement North-West Territories.
In 1885, post-Confederation Canada's first "naval battle" was fought in Saskatchewan, when a steamship engaged the Métis at Batoche in the North-West Rebellion. Popular culture

Main article: Culture of Saskatchewan Arts and culture

Estevan Police Service
File Hills First Nation Police Service
Moose Jaw Police Service
Prince Albert Police Service
Regina Police Service
RM of Corman Park Police Service
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Saskatoon Police Service
Weyburn Police Service
Saskatoon correctional centre
Regina Correctional Centre
Prince Albert Correctional Centre
Pine Grove Correctional Centre
Saskatchewan Penitentiary
Regina Paul Dojack Youth Center
Saskatoon Kilburn Hall Law and order
List of Saskatchewan-related topics

WikiProject Saskatchewan
The Saskatchewan Act
Monarchy in Saskatchewan
District of Assiniboia
List of Towns in Saskatchewan
List of cities in Canada
List of airports in Saskatchewan
List of Saskatchewan general elections
List of Saskatchewan lieutenant-governors
List of Saskatchewan premiers
List of Leaders of the Opposition in Saskatchewan
List of communities in Saskatchewan
List of Canadian provincial and territorial symbols

List of Saskatchewan-related topics

List of Saskatchewan rivers
Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan
List of rural municipalities in Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Film and Video Classification Board
Scouting in Saskatchewan
45561 Saskatchewan British Jubilee Class locomotive named after the province. Bibliography