Gimli, Manitoba
Gimli is an unincorporated community in the Rural Municipality of Gimli on the west side of Lake Winnipeg in Manitoba, Canada.
Gimli | |
|---|---|
Community | |
The Gimli Harbour Master's building and lighthouse, constructed in 1910, rebuilt 1974. | |
Gimli | |
| Coordinates: 50°38′01″N 96°59′24″W | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Manitoba |
| Region | Interlake |
| Rural Municipality | RM of Gimli |
| Demonym: | Gimlungur (singular); Gimlungar (plural) |
| Founded | October 21, 1875 |
| Village of Gimli | March 6, 1908 |
| Town of Gimli | December 31, 1946 |
| Amalgamated with RM of Gimli | January 1, 2003 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Kevin Chudd |
| • MP (Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman) | James Bezan (CPC) |
| • MLA (Interlake-Gimli) | Derek Johnson (PC) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.02 km2 (1.17 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 222 m (728 ft) |
| Population (2021) | |
| • Total | 2,345 |
| • Density | 746.6/km2 (1,934/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Postal code | R0C 1B0 |
| Area code(s) | 204, 431 |
The community's first European settlers were Icelanders who were part of the New Iceland settlement in Manitoba. The community maintains a strong connection to Iceland and Icelandic culture today, including the annual Icelandic Festival. Gimli was incorporated as a village on March 6, 1908, and held town status between December 31, 1946, and January 1, 2003, when it amalgamated with the RM of Gimli. Census Canada now recognizes the community as a population centre for census purposes. The 2021 Canadian census recorded a population of 2,345 in the population centre of Gimli.
The town's settlers sustained themselves primarily from agriculture and fishing. Gimli maintains a strong connection to the lake today, tourism has played a part in the town's current economic sustainability. Gimli Beach is a popular spot in the summer while the Gimli Harbour is the largest harbour on Lake Winnipeg and in Western Canada between Ontario and the Pacific Coast.
Gimli held one of the events (rowing) in the 2017 Canada Games.