Geography of Saskatchewan
The geography of Saskatchewan is unique among the provinces and territories of Canada in some respects. It is one of only two landlocked regions (Alberta is the other) and it is the only region whose borders are not based on natural features like lakes, rivers, or drainage divides. The borders of Saskatchewan, which make it very nearly a trapezoid, were determined in 1905 when it became a Canadian province. Saskatchewan has a total area of 651,036 square kilometres (251,366 sq mi) of which 591,670 km2 (228,450 sq mi) is land and 59,366 km2 (22,921 sq mi) is water.
| Continent | North America |
|---|---|
| Region | Western Canada Canadian Prairies |
| Coordinates | 49°00′00″N 101°21′41″W— 60°00′N 110°00′W |
| Area | Ranked 7th among provinces |
| • Total | 651,036 km2 (251,366 sq mi) |
| • Land | 90.8% |
| • Water | 9.2% |
| Coastline | 0 km (0 mi) |
| Borders | Alberta, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Montana and North Dakota |
| Highest point | Cypress Hills 1,468 metres (4,816 ft) |
| Lowest point | Lake Athabasca 213 metres (699 ft) |
| Longest river | Saskatchewan River |
| Largest lake | Lake Athabasca 7935 km2 |
The province's name comes from the Saskatchewan River, whose Cree name is: kisiskatchewani sipi, meaning "swift flowing river".
Saskatchewan can be divided into three regions: grassland (part of the Great Plains) in the south, aspen parkland in the centre, and forest in the north. The forest region lies partly on the northern part of the Great Plains and partly on the Canadian Shield. Its principal rivers are the Assiniboine River, and North and South Saskatchewan Rivers.
Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota.