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Why So Few Canadians Live In Saskatchewan As Compared To Alberta
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Apr 2, 2025
Watch the podcast: @GeographyPod Listen to the podcast: https://linktr.ee/geographyiseverything Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geographybygeoff/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@geographybygeoff Linktree for everything: https://linktr.ee/geographybygeoff Canada's Prairie Provinces are both about the same size and share a pretty similar overall geography (Alberta's western end aside). But despite these similarities, Alberta has a population that's about four times the size of Saskatchewan. So what's going on in Alberta that's attracted so many more people than Saskatchewan? Stock footage is purchased from www.videvo.net and www.storyblocks.com. See something that doesn't look right? Please contact me! Animation support provided by DH Designs (needahittman.com) Editing by Kat Olsen This video is a production of Sound Bight Media (soundbight.com)
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Alberta and Saskatchewan make up the Prairie Provinces of Canada
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While both share a similar geography and area size, the province of Alberta has about four times the population of Saskatchewan
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making it overwhelmingly more prominent within Canada at large. So why did Alberta grow so much
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And why don't more Canadians live in Saskatchewan? Today we're off to the Prairie Provinces of Canada
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which could only be Alberta and Saskatchewan. If you're not familiar with either of these provinces
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you're about to learn quite a bit, particularly why despite their overall similarities
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they've grown in dramatically different ways. And as usual, we're going to find that geography
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has a big part to play in today's story. But first, if you want more geography by me
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be sure to check out my recent podcast episode all about the geography underpinning
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the U.S. Postal Service. We dive deep into one of the most foundational
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institutions of the United States and how they carved up the country into zip codes
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You can watch right here on YouTube or listen on whatever app you prefer. All links are in the description below
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Saskatchewan and Alberta are two provinces in Western Canada, each with their own fascinating history of indigenous First Nations tribes
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and pathway to becoming part of Canada today. Prior to European exploration, both were home to a wide range of tribal nations
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In Saskatchewan, the Cree Saltoo, Dene, Dakota, and Nakoda peoples thrived, while Alberta was
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primarily inhabited by the Blackfoot, Soutena, and Stony Nakoda, with significant presence of
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Cree and Matisse communities as well. The lives of these First Nations tribes were deeply connected
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to the land in both provinces, with cultures and economies primarily centered around bison hunting
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fishing, and gathering. The bison, particularly crucial to the prairie tribes, played a central
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role in their sustenance, spirituality, and community structure. The European exploration and subsequent colonization phase began in earnest in the 1700s. Both Saskatchewan and Alberta
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became part of Rupert's Land, a massive territory under the control of the British Hudson's Bay
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Company, which traded extensively in furs with indigenous peoples. By the late 1800s
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the Canadian government, eager to expand westward, acquired these lands from the Hudson's Bay Company
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paving the way for increased settlement under the Dominion Lands Act. It was this period of time that marked significant upheaval for the First Nations
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The arrival of European settlers led to displacement of villages, altered the natural landscapes, and the eventual decimation of the bison herds
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that were vital to the economies and ways of life for the indigenous population
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Treaties such as Treaty 2, Treaty 4, Treaty 6, Treaty 7, Treaty 8, and Treaty 10
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were negotiated between the First Nations and the Crown, ostensibly to ensure peace and coexistence
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However, these treaties often led to the relegation of Indigenous peoples to reserves
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fundamentally changing their traditional lifestyles. The construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway in the 1880s
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further accelerated settlement in the region. The railway brought a flood of immigrants who established farms and towns
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and with them, new social and economic structures took root. The growing settler population eventually led to the establishment of the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan
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from the Northwest Territories, and both were inaugurated on September 1st, 1905
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As provinces, both Saskatchewan and Alberta experienced rapid development. The early 1900s was a time of economic boom driven by agriculture and later in Alberta the discovery of oil These economic opportunities continue to attract people from across Canada and other parts of the
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world, shaping the multicultural demographic that is characteristic of the region today
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Alberta and Saskatchewan share a lot in common, including an expansive and intimidating physical
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geography. But before we get to the geography of these two Canadian provinces, if you're enjoying
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this video, hit that subscribe button. More fun geography videos are just a single click away
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Saskatchewan and Alberta, two of Canada's prairie provinces, are incredibly vast. And what we're
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going to find out is that, despite some differences in the far west, both provinces broadly share the
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same physical geography. Beginning in the south, both provinces are largely dominated by the flat
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expansive prairies of the Great Plains region of Canada. This area is characterized by its deep
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fertile soils, which have made it one of the most productive agricultural zones in North America
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The flatness is occasionally broken by the rolling hills and valleys carved by ancient glaciers
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with numerous lakes and wetlands dotting the region, remnants of the last ice age
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Moving north, the terrain begins to change due to the vast Saskatchewan River system
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which serves as a vital water resource and a key artery for the region's biodiversity
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The river's expansive basin supports a mix of grassland, aspen parkland, and boreal forest
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creating a huge range of habitat for a vast quantity of plant and animal species
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The central region of both provinces is home to the aspen parkland, a transitional biome between the prairie to the south and the boreal forest to the north
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This area is characterized by patches of aspen trees interspersed with grassland
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providing a unique ecosystem where agricultural lands coexist with natural woodlands. As one travels further west, the foothills of the Rocky Mountains begin to rise dramatically from the landscape
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This area marks a significant shift in topography, where the rolling hills gradually give way to the sharp peaks and rugged terrain of the Rockies
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This region is less suitable for agriculture, but rich in minerals and forest resources
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The change in elevation also brings a cooler climate and increased precipitation
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which supports dense coniferous forests and a variety of alpine flora and fauna
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Finally, the far northern areas of both provinces are dominated by the expansive boreal forests of Canada
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and a vast array of freshwater lakes, including Lake Athabasca, the largest lake in both provinces
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Interestingly, northern Saskatchewan's northern geography is at least partially broken up by the Athabasca sand dunes
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one of the most northerly active sand dune formations on Earth. But while both provinces share a lot of similar geography
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one area they differ is the Rocky Mountains. This mountainous areas of western Alberta is not only striking for their breathtaking vistas
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but also for their ecological importance. The Rockies are a crucial watershed
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feeding major river systems that flow eastward across the prairies. The region is a popular destination for tourism and recreation
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particularly in national parks like Banff and Jasper, which are renowned for their stunning landscapes and wildlife
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Eventually, this leads to the western edge of Alberta, where the province meets the continental divide
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the boundary line where the flow of water splits between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
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This natural boundary marks the westernmost limit of Alberta, characterized by high alpine environments
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and the stark rugged beauty typical of the high Rockies Both provinces are pretty similar overall aside from the far western edge of Alberta which leads to a pretty fascinating quandary
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If both are so similar, why does Alberta have roughly four times the population of Saskatchewan
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Alberta and Saskatchewan, while neighboring provinces in Canada with roughly equivalent land areas
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differ significantly in population. Alberta boasts approximately four times the population of Saskatchewan, a discrepancy influenced by a variety of historic, economic, and geographic
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factors. One of the primary reasons for this disparity is the economic development paths
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chosen by each province, particularly in relation to natural resources. Alberta has been endowed
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with substantial oil and gas reserves, particularly in areas like the Athabasca oil sands, which are
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among the largest oil reserves in the world. According to reports, Canada and Alberta specifically
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hold somewhere around 174 billion barrels of oil, roughly 10% of the world's entire supply
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The exploitation of these resources began in earnest in the mid-20th century and led to an
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economic boom that attracted businesses, investments, and a significant influx of workers from across Canada and around the world. In contrast, Saskatchewan's economy has traditionally
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been dominated by agriculture, with wheat and other grains being staple products. Although
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Saskatchewan also has mineral resources, including potash and uranium, and has experienced its own
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resource-driven economic booms, the scale and global impact of its industries have not reached
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the same level as Alberta's oil sector. The agricultural sector, while significant, does not
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typically generate the same level of wealth or attract the same degree of urban migration as oil
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and gas. Another factor is the urbanization trends in both provinces. Alberta is home to two major
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urban centers, Calgary and Edmonton, which are among the largest and fastest-growing cities in
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Canada. These cities have become economic and cultural hubs for both the province and country
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offering more job opportunities, educational institutions, and amenities than are available in Saskatchewan. The concentration of universities, international airports, and corporate headquarters
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makes Alberta a more attractive destination for both domestic and international migrants
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seeking opportunities and urban lifestyles. Geographically, Alberta also offers a more varied landscape, which has contributed to its appeal
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The proximity to the Rocky Mountains provides scenic beauty and recreational opportunities
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that are less accessible in the flatter terrains of Saskatchewan. This geographic appeal has bolstered tourism and attracted permanent residents
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interested in outdoor activities such as skiing, hiking, and mountain biking. Banff National Park is the most visited Alberta tourist destination
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and one of the most visited national parks in North America, with more than 3 million tourists annually
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Government policies have also played a role in shaping the population dynamics of the two provinces
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Alberta's tax regime, notably the absence of a provincial sales tax and historically lower personal income taxes
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has made it financially attractive to individuals and businesses alike. Additionally, Alberta's aggressive investment in infrastructure and public services
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funded by oil revenues, has improved the quality of life, further drawing people to the province
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Finally, the global perception and branding of the provinces have influenced their population growth
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Alberta has successfully marketed itself as a land of opportunity due to its booming energy sector and vibrant cities In contrast Saskatchewan is often perceived more for its pastoral and quieter lifestyle which might not attract the same level of internal and external
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migration. Today, Alberta would be led in population by the overwhelmingly dominant
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metro areas of Calgary with 1.5 million people and Edmonton with 1.4 million people. After that
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however, the population numbers drop quickly. Lethbridge, Alberta has about 123,000 people
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and Red Deer with only 101,000. Saskatchewan has a similar, though less prominent population
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pattern. The province is dominated by the Saskatoon metro area with 352,000 people and Regina with
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249,000, followed by the much smaller cities of Prince Albert with 46,000 people and Moosejaw
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with 35,000 people. But one way that Saskatchewan is unique is that
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unlike every other province, it has no natural borders. Saskatchewan, with its distinctive rectangular shape, is unique among Canadian provinces for
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having borders defined entirely by lines of latitude and longitude rather than natural
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geographic features. This distinct delineation emerged from a combination of historic decisions
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and geographic planning that aimed to facilitate administrative efficiency during the westward
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expansion of Canada. The origins of Saskatchewan's borders date back to the late 1800s and early
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1900s, during a period when the Canadian government was actively encouraging settlement in the western
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parts of the country. The area now known as Saskatchewan was initially part of the vast
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expanse known as the Northwest Territories. The push for provincehood and the establishment of
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defined borders was influenced heavily by the expansion of the railway and the desire to create
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administratively manageable regions that would be attractive to settlers. In 1905, Saskatchewan
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was established as a province. Its borders were drawn quite deliberately as mostly straight lines
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The 49th parallel marks its southern boundary, while the 60th parallel delineates its northern
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edge. To the east and west, the 102nd and 110th meridians respectively set its boundaries. These
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lines were chosen to create a jurisdiction that was easy to govern and map created by the Dominion
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Land Survey System. Those should be pointed out that while Saskatchewan's eastern boundary does
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roughly follow the 102nd meridian, it occasionally zigs to account for the curvature of the earth
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This approach to border creation was somewhat at odds with the more organic processes that
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shaped the borders of older provinces like Quebec and Ontario, where natural features such as rivers
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and lakes frequently defined boundaries. In western Canada, the vast open prairies lacked
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prominent natural features that could serve as convenient or obvious borders over such large
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areas. As such, the choice to use geometric borders for Saskatchewan was implemented by
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the Dominion Land Survey, which sought to impose a grid-like pattern on the landscape to systematize
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land division and simplify legal land descriptions. In many ways, Saskatchewan's borders are not
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dissimilar from the U.S. states of Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming, where boundaries were set based on
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straight lines as opposed to natural features for the ease of administration. The prairie provinces
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have very different populations, primarily due to Alberta having such an incredibly vast amount
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of oil underneath it. This jump-started the otherwise nascent provincial economy of Alberta
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in a way that Saskatchewan never really experienced. And unless something changes
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Alberta likely will always be considerably larger than Saskatchewan. I hope you enjoyed learning all about Alberta
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and Saskatchewan in Canada. If you did, please subscribe. If you wanna watch more videos, click here
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If you wanna listen to the podcast, click here. See you next time
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