Canada

Saskatchewan got its name from the Cree word meaning "swift-flowing river." This says a lot about the spirit, history and geography of this prairie province of Canada. The Aboriginal people of Saskatchewan have inhabited this area of North America for over 11,000 years and have shaped and greatly influenced the culture, history and traditions of First Nations and Métis people, a large part of Saskatchewan today. Saskatchewan has also been shaped by the history of the world-famous Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), originally known as the North West Mounted Police. Saskatchewan's capital, Regina, remains home to the sole training academy for new members of the force, from which over 1000 new Mounties graduate each year. Gentle meandering streams, fast-flowing rivers, and clean, pristine lakes – some 100,000 in all – have made Saskatchewan an incredible adventure for vacationers looking for breathtaking backdrops for canoeing, kayaking, swimming, boating or fishing. Beyond the beautiful lakes and rivers, Saskatchewan is filled with boreal and mixed wood forests, which call out to outdoor lovers interested in sports like camping, hiking, mountain biking and bird-watching, among others. Or, looking for something really different? A great way to sample the Saskatchewan prairie way of life is to visit a rural bed and breakfast, guest ranch or vacation farm. Amazingly, in far northern Saskatchewan, you can visit the Lake Athabasca Sand Dunes, the largest active sand dunes in the world north of 58°, adjacent to the southern shore of Lake Athabasca. If you're looking for an escape, a back-to-nature destination, for the chance to explore our world in its natural state and see the most Canadian of provinces, look no further. Saskatchewan is calling your name.