Saskatchewan comes from the Cree name for the Saskatchewan River, 'Kisiskatchewanisipi', meaning the river that flows swiftly - in reference to the most important waterway running through their territory.
Saskatchewan joined Confederation (the agreement which created Canada as a country in 1867) as a part of the Northwest Territories in 1870. Saskatchewan became a province in 1905.
Saskatchewan covers 651,900 square kilometres--more than a quarter million square miles. Contrary to popular belief, fully one half the province is covered by forest, one-third is farmland and one-eighth is fresh water (with over 100,000 lakes!!).
Saskatchewan's population is 1 023 483(Statistics Canada July 1/97 estimate). The capital city of Saskatchewan is Regina - Latin for queen. The population of Regina is 193 652. The largest city in Saskatchewan is Saskatoon with 219 056 inhabitants.