Gimli, Manitoba

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Rural Municipality of Gimli, Manitoba
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image_caption = Gimli harbour in October


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Canada
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subdivision_type3 = Region
subdivision_name3 = Interlake
subdivision_type4 = Demonym:
subdivision_name4 = Gimvestitian
government_type =
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Tammy Axelsson
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established_title = Founded
established_date = October, 1875
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established_date2 = March 15, 1887
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area_land_km2 = 326.3
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population_as_of = 2006
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population_density_km2 = 18.2
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population_urban = 5797
population_density_urban_km2 = 319.25
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latd= 50|latm= 38|lats= 1|latNS=N
longd= 96|longm= 59|longs= 26|longEW=W
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elevation_m =
elevation_ft = 728
postal_code_type = Postal code
postal_code = R0C 1B0
R0C 1B1
area_code = 204
website = [http://www.rmgimli.com www.rmgimli.com]
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Gimli is a rural municipality and the town of the same name located within it in south-central Manitoba, Canada. It is located on the western shore of Lake Winnipeg, about seventy-five kilometres north of the provincial capital Winnipeg, and close to the small town of Fraserwood. The town (population 5,797 Statistics Canada 2006 census) and surrounding area constitute an Icelandic ethnic block settlement, and are home to the largest Icelandic Canadian population outside of Iceland, a fact which gives the town its nickname "The Capital of New Iceland."

Economy

Large employers in Gimli include Faroex and the Gimli Distillery.

* [http://www.faroex.com/ Faroex Ltd.] produces composite components for use in the agricultural, automotive, consumer and military supply industries since 1981. Faroex's first product was POLYGRATE flooring and support framing system, which is made out of advanced plastic and fiberglass and is used in hog production.

* The Gimli Distillery opened in 1968. The plant currently employs 72 people with an annual payroll, including benefits, of almost $4 million. The operation is situated on two quarters of land and comprises a production building, barrel filling and dumping, and 46 warehouses to store the maturing whiskies. The plant and its people are responsible for providing the company's global Canadian whisky requirement. In particular, Gimli is the source of Crown Royal whisky.

* The fishery has over 100 fishers of white fish and pickerel [http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/sch/Forum/foru111_e.pdf]

* During the summer months, tourism is a major industry, as thousands of summer cottagers fill the town of Gimli, especially on weekends. Hotels, restaurants and stores cater to the summer visitors.

Arts and culture

Festivals

* [http://www.gimlifilmfestival.com Gimli Film Festival] was the brain child of Icelandic/Canadian filmmaker Jon Gustafsson when he wanted to show his locally shot feature film Kanadiana to the people of Gimli. The opening night film at the first festival was Tales From the Gimli Hospital by Guy Maddin. Other founding members were Senator Janis Johnson, and filmmakers Caelum Vatnsdal and Matt Holm.
* [http://www.icelandicfestival.com/ Icelandic Festival] of Manitoba, Íslendingadagurinn, is held on the long weekend in August. The first Icelandic festival in Manitoba was held in Winnipeg in 1890; it was held there annually until 1931, and since 1932 has been held in Gimli.

Notable people

*David Arnason - Writer and English professor born in Gimli.
*Leo Kristjanson - Economist and President of the University of Saskatchewan from 1980-89.
*John MacDonald - Canadian musician who plays the French horn. (He and his family left when he was three years old.)
*Vilhjálmur Stefánsson - Ethnologist and explorer born in Gimli.
*Eric Stefanson - Retired Manitoba Progressive Conservative politician born in Gimli.
*W. D. Valgardson - Writer and professor raised in Gimli.
*Michael Ewanchuk - Writer of Ukrainian history books and school inspector born in Gimli.
*George Johnson - Physician and former Minister of Education and Health in Manitoba.

References

* " [http://www.themanitoban.com/1998-1999/0210/f5.html We are all from Gimli] - Jewel of Lake Winnipeg's southwestern" shore by Caelum Vatnsdal, Features Editor of The Manitoban.

ee also

* New Iceland
* Gimli Industrial Park Airport

External links

* [http://www.gimli.ca Rural Municipality of Gimli, Manitoba Official site]
* CBC Archives - [http://archives.cbc.ca/IDC-1-69-240-1155-11/life_society/gimli_glider/ July 23, 1983 - Air Canada 767 lands without fuel]
* Local newspaper [http://www.interlakespectator.com Interlake Spectator]
* Evergreen School Division: http://www.esd.mb.ca
* Dr. George Johnson School: http://www.esd.mb.ca/schools/gjms/