# Saskatchewan River

> river in Canada

**Wikidata**: [Q3047](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3047)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saskatchewan_River)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/saskatchewan-river

## Summary
The Saskatchewan River is a major river in Canada, flowing through the provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba. It is one of the significant natural watercourses in North America, playing a vital role in the region's geography and history. Its path through central Canada connects diverse ecosystems and supports local communities.

## Key Facts
- **Classification**: Major river in Canada, categorized as a larger natural watercourse.
- **Location**: Flows through the provinces of Saskatchewan (inception: January 1, 1905) and Manitoba (inception: July 15, 1870), both located in Canada (inception: July 1, 1867).
- **Coordinates**: Notable points at latitude 53.235, longitude -105.0828, and latitude 53.185, longitude -99.2561.
- **Country**: Canada, a sovereign state in North America, spanning 9,984,670 square kilometers with a population of 36,991,981 (2021 census).
- **Aliases**: Known simply as "Saskatchewan."
- **Sitelink Count**: 48 links on Wikidata, indicating its digital presence and relevance.
- **Wikipedia Title**: Saskatchewan River.
- **Wikidata Description**: River in Canada.

## FAQs
### Where is the Saskatchewan River located?
The Saskatchewan River runs through the Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba. It is situated in central Canada, a region known for its vast prairies and diverse landscapes. Its coordinates are documented at specific points such as 53.235 latitude, -105.0828 longitude, and 53.185 latitude, -99.2561 longitude.

### What is the historical significance of the Saskatchewan River?
This river has played a crucial role in the history of the regions it traverses, particularly in Saskatchewan, established as a province in 1905, and Manitoba, formed in 1870. It served as a vital route for indigenous peoples and early European explorers and settlers. Its presence influenced the development of communities and trade in central Canada.

### How does the Saskatchewan River relate to other geographic entities in Canada?
The river is intrinsically linked to the provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba, both integral parts of Canada, a country founded through Confederation on July 1, 1867. It also connects to the broader context of Canadian geography, including the historical Saskatchewan District, a former administrative area of the Northwest Territories established in 1882. This positions the river within a network of significant natural and political boundaries.

## Why It Matters
The Saskatchewan River holds immense importance as a lifeline in central Canada, shaping the environmental, cultural, and economic landscapes of Saskatchewan and Manitoba. It serves as a critical water source for agriculture, a historically significant route for transportation and trade, and a habitat for diverse wildlife, contributing to the ecological balance of the region. Its presence in a country as vast and geopolitically significant as Canada—known for its extensive natural resources and high Human Development Index of 0.936 (2021)—underscores its role in supporting both local communities and broader national interests. Understanding this river is essential for appreciating the intricate interplay between geography and human development in North America.

## Notable For
- Being a major river in Canada, flowing through two key provinces, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
- Holding a central position in the historical and cultural narrative of central Canada.
- Featuring specific geographic coordinates that highlight its extensive reach across diverse terrains.

## Body
### Geographic Location and Path
The Saskatchewan River is a prominent natural watercourse in Canada, traversing the provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Its documented coordinates include points at latitude 53.235, longitude -105.0828, and latitude 53.185, longitude -99.2561, illustrating its extensive path through central Canada. This river is part of the larger geographic framework of Canada, a country spanning 9,984,670 square kilometers with coastlines along the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic Oceans. Its location within Saskatchewan, established as a province on January 1, 1905, and Manitoba, formed on July 15, 1870, ties it to significant administrative regions within a nation founded on July 1, 1867, through Canadian Confederation.

### Historical Context
The river's history is deeply intertwined with the development of the regions it flows through. Saskatchewan, named after the river itself, became a province in 1905, while Manitoba joined Confederation in 1870. Additionally, the historical Saskatchewan District, established in 1882 as part of the Northwest Territories, reflects the river's early administrative significance. These milestones highlight how the river has been a focal point for settlement, exploration, and governance in Canadian history, serving as a vital artery for indigenous communities and European settlers alike.

### Connection to Canada’s Broader Identity
As a river in Canada, the Saskatchewan River is embedded within the cultural and political fabric of a nation known for its vast territory and diverse population of 36,991,981 (2021 census). Canada, a constitutional monarchy and Commonwealth realm with Ottawa as its capital, operates as a federation of ten provinces and three territories, including Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The country’s official languages, English and French, and its national symbols like the maple leaf and the beaver, reflect a multicultural identity that encompasses the regions through which the river flows. The river’s role in this context underscores its contribution to Canada’s reputation as a land of natural beauty and resources, further emphasized by the nation’s high Human Development Index of 0.936 (2021).

### Ecological and Economic Role
The Saskatchewan River supports a variety of ecosystems along its course, providing water for agriculture and sustaining local wildlife in the prairies of Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Its waters have historically facilitated trade and transportation, contributing to the economic development of the surrounding areas. Within the broader scope of Canada’s economy—boasting a nominal GDP of 2,206,764,000,000 Canadian dollars in 2020—the river plays a part in supporting regional industries and livelihoods, aligning with the country’s status as a major global economic player.

### Related Entities and Cultural Significance
The river is directly linked to several notable entities, including the province of Saskatchewan, which shares its name and was officially formed in 1905, and Manitoba, established in 1870. Additionally, the historical Saskatchewan District, a former administrative division of the Northwest Territories from 1882, ties the river to early Canadian territorial organization. As a larger natural watercourse, it falls under the broader category of rivers, a classification with significant representation (275 sitelinks on Wikidata), highlighting its place among other major rivers worldwide. Culturally, the river contributes to the identity of central Canada, resonating with the national motto "A Mari Usque Ad Mare" (From Sea to Sea) and reflecting the country’s deep connection to its natural landscapes.

## References

1. [Source](https://github.com/JohnMarkOckerbloom/ftl/blob/master/data/wikimap)
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. [Source](https://atlas.gc.ca/toporama/)
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. GeoNames
6. [Source](https://encyklopedia.pwn.pl/haslo/Saskatchewan;3972531.html)
7. KBpedia