PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE

city, southern Manitoba, Canada. It lies near the Assiniboine River, on the Trans-Canada Highway, 52 miles (84 km) west of Winnipeg. The name was given by early French fur traders who portaged their goods across the prairie between the river and Lake Manitoba, a short distance to the north. Fort-La Reine was built (1738) near the site by the French trader and explorer La Vrendrye. Settlement began about 1851, and by 1870 Portage la Prairie was a village of more than 100 people. Now an agricultural market and transportation centre, it processes grain, soups, and dairy foods and manufactures clothing, concrete, electric cables, and glassware. A game preserve lies within its boundaries, and a waterfowl research establishment is nearby. Fort La Reine Pioneer Museum and Village is just outside the city. Inc. town, 1880; city, 1907. Pop. (1991) 13,186.