Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/59721
NOR TH OF 5 3 ° 131 Churchill – The Polar Bear Capital of the World THE TOP OF THE WORLD Natural wonders abound in Manitoba's north, a 440,000 square kilometre swath of unspoiled wilderness that stretches from the Interlake to the Arctic. A world-renowned destination for trophy fishing, hunting and nature tours, the landscape ranges from farmland to boreal forest and tundra, with hundreds of crystal-clear lakes and streams. On the shore of Hudson Bay, Churchill is famous as the Polar Bear Capital of the World, but another white giant takes centre stage in summer. Some 20,000 beluga whales populate Hudson Bay and about 2,000 gather at the Churchill river to give birth to calves in July and August, to the delight of visitors who get up-close and personal in tour boats and kayaks. Explore the majestic wilderness and enjoy the warm hospitality of Manitoba's north On land, find a wealth of ancient artifacts and Inuit art at Churchill's Eskimo Museum, and soak up history at an 18th-century fur-trading post and the stone fortress that once protected it. Summer days are long, with midnight sunsets in June, and naturalists take advantage of the light for hiking and birdwatching. There are hundreds of species of birds, including snow geese and ptarmigan, along with Arctic fox, black bears, moose and caribou. Northern Lights Catch voyageur canoe races during York Boat Days at Norway House Cree Nation in August. Sleep in a yurt at Clearwater Lake or hike to the highest waterfall in Manitoba, Kwastichewan Falls, north of Wabowden. Anglers can reel in a big one during the month-long trout-fishing derby in Flin Flon in July. Or just spin the reels on the slot machines at Aseneskak Casino at Opaskwayak Cree Nation. Win or lose, you'll count yourself lucky to be here. Wolves are often spotted near Thompson, the Wolf Capital of Canada and the largest city north of the 53rd parallel. You'll find wildlife displays and artifacts from the fur-trade era and mining industries in museums in Thompson and other northern towns such as Flin Flon, Lynn Lake and The Pas, which hosts a rodeo and chariot races during its Agricultural Fair and Exhibition in June.