Portage la Prairie

Portage la Prairie (pronounced /portəʤ la preri/ in English) is a city in the Canadian province of Manitoba. As of 2001, the population was 12,976. The population in 1996 was 13,077 (-0.8 percent change). The area of the city was 24.67 square kilometres.

Portage la Prairie is located approximately 70 kilometres (45 miles) west of Winnipeg. It sits on the Assiniboine River, which flooded the town persistently until a ditch north to Lake Manitoba (the Assiniboine River Floodway) was built to divert the flood waters. The local economy is largely dependent on agriculture and supporting industries. Portage la Prairie is also home to the McCain Foods and Simplot potato processing plants, which provide french fries for McDonalds, Wendy's, and various other commercialized restaurant chains. It is also home of former Prime Minister of Canada, Arthur Meighen, who was a lawyer here during his residence. Mr. Meighen has a high school and a street named in his honor.

Portage la Prairie is a farming city. Agriculture is the city's main industry. It has all the amenities you can expect in larger cities, but with considerably less crime. The main attraction to this city is the close-knit community aspect. Everyone knows everyone else. It is common for people to wave at each other when they drive down the streets. Portage la Prairie is famous for its Potato Festival. It is the world strawberry capital and North American potato processing capital, and has a celebration during the early summer for the latter mentioned vegetable. Many U-pick strawberry farms are within 5-15 minute driving range of the city.