Saskatoon Population: 331.000 Area: 5,890.71 Km Climate: Saskatoon experiences a cold semi-arid climate close to the humid continental climate, usually hot summers and long, cold winters. The city has four distinct seasons. Saskatoon has an arid climate and averages There is 340.4 mm (13.40 inches) of annual rainfall and summer is the wettest season. As a result, Saskatoon is sunnier than average in Canada, with an average of 2,268 hours of sunshine a year. Extreme temperatures are usually associated with below-average humidity levels. Lightning is common in the summer months and can be accompanied by heavy rain, hail, strong winds, strong thunderstorms and sometimes tornadoes. The frost-free growing season lasts from May 21 to September 15, but due to Saskatoon's northern location, destructive frosts occurred until late June 14 and again in early August. The average daily high temperature from July 31 to August 8 reaches 25.8 degrees Celsius (78.4 degrees Fahrenheit) Religion About 78.5% of Saskatoon residents claim to be Christian, predominantly Protestant (40.1%) and Roman Catholic (32.5%). Another 19.6 percent of Saskatoon residents have no religion at all. Minority religions include Sikhism, Buddhism (0.7%), Judaism, Hinduism, and Islam (0.6%). Ethnic Origins Saskatoon with 11.3 percent, followed by Winnipeg with 12.2 percent and Regina with 9.9 percent, has the second highest percentage of the first nation population among Canada's major cities. In certain neighborhoods, such as Pleasant Hill, the percentage is over 40%. Most of the inhabitants of the First Nations are of the cultural background of Kerry or Dakota, although to some extent the communities of Soto, Asini, Buin, and Dan also exist. Economy Saskatoon's economy has been associated with potash, oil, and agriculture (especially wheat), leading to the designation of the "city of captives." Various grains, livestock, oil and gas, potash, uranium, gold, diamonds, coal, and their spin-off industries contribute to the economy. The company is headquartered in Saskatoon. Saskatoon is also the new home of BHP Billiton Diamond and Specialty Products. Nearly two-thirds of the world's recyclable potash reserves are in the Saskatoon region. Founded in 1980, Innovation Place brings together approximately 150 agricultural, information technology, and environmental, life sciences, and agricultural biotechnology industries in one science or technology park. Saskatoon is also home to the Canadian Light Source, the National Synchrotron Center of Canada. Transportation Saskatoon on the Yellowhead Highway the Trans-Canada highway system, also known as Highway 16, connects Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia. Highways 5, 7, 11, 12, 14, 41, 219, 684 and 762 all meet in Saskatoon, and Highway 60 ends just outside the southwest of the city. Transportation services in Saskatoon are provided by Saskatoon Transit. The route system was rebuilt on July 2, 2006, giving more access to most parts of the city. An up-to-date schedule has been posted on the Saskatoon transport route and schedule settings. Saskatoon was serviced by Greyhound Canada for intercity bus service between Manitoba and Alberta until Greyhound ceased operations on October 31, 2018.