Brandon

Brandon is the second-largest city in the province of Manitoba, Canada. It is located in the southwestern corner of the province on the banks of the Assiniboine River, approximately 214 km (133 mi) west of the provincial capital, Winnipeg, and 120 km (75 mi) east of the Saskatchewan border. Brandon covers an area of 77.41 km2 (29.89 sq mi) and has a population of 48,859, while its census metropolitan area has a population of 58,003. It is a major hub of trade and commerce for the Westman region as well as parts of southeastern Saskatchewan and northern North Dakota (USA), an area with a combined population of around 180,000 people.

The City of Brandon was incorporated in 1882, has a history rooted in the Assiniboine River fur trade as well as its role as a major junction on the Canadian Pacific Railway. Known as The Wheat City, Brandon's economy is predominantly associated with agriculture; however, it also has strengths in education, manufacturing, food processing, healthcare and transportation.

Brandon is an important part of the higher education network in Manitoba, with several notable facilities located in the city including Brandon University, Assiniboine Community College and the Manitoba Emergency Services College. Canadian Forces Base Shilo, which maintains close socioeconomic ties with Brandon, is located 35 km (22 mi) east of the city. Brandon's Keystone Centre, one of the largest consolidated entertainment, convention, agriculture and recreation complexes in Canada, is the home of the Brandon Wheat Kings and the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair.

Brandon has a dry continental climate with warm, sometimes hot summers and cold, dry winters. Daytime temperatures range from 26.0 °C (78.8 °F) in July to −10.5 °C (13.1 °F) in January. Brandon has a fairly dry climate, with 462 millimetres (18.2 in) of precipitation annually; and, as such is located in the Palliser's Triangle region of the Prairies. There is measurable rainfall on 56.0 days throughout the year, and 38.8 days with snowfall. Snow falls from October to April; however, snow has fallen as late as May and as early as September. The highest temperature ever recorded in Brandon was 43.3 °C (110 °F) on July 11th, 1936. The lowest temperature ever recorded was −46.7 °C (−52 °F) on February 1st, 1893.