Thompson, Manitoba

This article is about the city. For the unrelated rural municipality, see Rural Municipality of Thompson. For provincial riding, see Thompson (electoral district).

Thompson
City
City of Thompson
Highland Tower, chosen for the Spirit Way wolf mural, is the most prominent building on Thompson's skyline
Highland Tower, chosen for the Spirit Way wolf mural, is the most prominent building on Thompson's skyline
Nicknames: 
"Hub of the North" or "Hub City, "The Centennial City", "Nickel City"[1][2][3]
City boundaries
City boundaries
Thompson is located in Canada
Thompson
Thompson
Location in Canada
Thompson is located in Manitoba
Thompson
Thompson
Location in Manitoba
Coordinates: 55°44′36″N 97°51′19″W / 55.74333°N 97.85528°W / 55.74333; -97.85528
CountryCanada
ProvinceManitoba
RegionNorthern Region
Census division22
Established1956
Incorporated1967 Town
 1970 City
Government
 • City MayorColleen Smook
 • Governing BodyThompson City Council
 • MLA (Thompson)Eric Redhead (NDP)
 • MP (Churchill—Keewatinook Aski)Niki Ashton (NDP)
Area
 • Total
16.62 km2 (6.42 sq mi)
Elevation
[4]
224.03 m (735.01 ft)
Population
 (2021 Census[5])
 • Total
13,035 (6th)
 • Density784.31/km2 (2,031.4/sq mi)
DemonymThompsonite
Time zoneUTC−6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Forward sortation area
R8N
Area code(s)204, 431, 584
HighwaysPTH 6
Websitewww.thompson.ca

Thompson is a city in north-central Manitoba, Canada, the largest city and most populated municipality in Northern Manitoba.[6]

Situated along the Burntwood River, Thompson is located 210 kilometres (130 mi) north of Lake Winnipeg and 761 km (473 mi) north of the City of Winnipeg. Originally founded in 1956 as a mining town, it is one of the largest fully planned communities in Canada.[7] It now primarily serves as the "Hub of the North",[6] providing goods and services such as health care and retail trade to the surrounding communities.

Thompson has fewer than 15,000 residents, with many of the smaller communities accessible only by air or winter road. Despite its isolated location in the heart of Canada's boreal forest, the city is served by an all-weather road and Manitoba Highway 6, Thompson station (served by the Winnipeg–Churchill train), and by the Thompson Airport.

Thompson's natural and undisturbed surroundings make it popular with outdoor enthusiasts.[8] The largest marina in Manitoba is 38 km (24 mi) south in Paint Lake Provincial Park. The lack of light pollution and Thompson's northern latitude allows for occasional viewing of the northern lights, even within the city limits.

  1. ^ "City of Thompson: Hub of the North". City of Thompson. April 2013. Archived from the original on 2015-12-23. Retrieved 2015-12-22.
  2. ^ John Barker (2012-02-08). "Thompson takes a big tumble: Drops to fifth-largest city in Manitoba". Thompson Citizen. Glacier Community Media. Retrieved 2012-11-05.
  3. ^ John Barker (2009-12-23). "City of Thompson flag flying in Kandahar". Thompson Citizen. Glacier Community Media. Retrieved 2012-11-05.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference CCN was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ "Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population, Thompson, Manitoba". Statistics Canada. 9 February 2022. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  6. ^ a b "Thompson | Manitoba North". Travel Manitoba. Retrieved 2023-09-30.
  7. ^ Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. September 28, 2023. "Thompson." Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2023-09-30.
  8. ^ "Local and Regional Identity Action Plan" (PDF).