Interesting facts about Saskatoon...did you know that:

• Saskatoon is a global competitor of significance in business cost-competitiveness, according to the KPMG 2004 Competitive Alternatives Study of business costs across North America , Europe , and Asia-Pacific? The global comparison evaluates 121 global cities in 11 countries on 27 location-sensitive cost factors including labour, facilities, transportation, utilities and taxes.
  • Overall, Saskatoon ranks #2 in all of Midwest North America, as well as #2 across the entire western half of the continent. Saskatoon ranks #7 in the entire world for overall measurement of cost competitiveness and ranks #1 in Midwest North America in all three areas of research & development including biomedical, clinical trials, and electronic systems. Saskatoon is also the most competitive city in the Midwest in pharmaceuticals and precision component manufacturing and ranks #2 in the Midwest as the most cost competitive location for call centres.
• Saskatoon has the country's first Light Synchrotron? A million times brighter than the sun, synchrotron light is used to probe the structure of matter. Using light from infrared to X-rays, scientists can examine biochemical and geochemical samples with greater accuracy and precision than has previously been possible in Canada. The $174-million national facility, wholly owned by the U of S, is one of the largest scientific projects in the country. Close to 2,000 users are anticipated annually, with up to 100 scientists from almost every discipline working on experiments at any given time. more info >>>
• Saskatchewan grows half of the entire quantity of Canada’s major export crops: wheat, oats, barley, rye, flaxseed and canola? Saskatoon is at the heart of this market, providing a variety of services and products to the farm sector. Mining is also an important part of the economy. The Saskatoon region is the world's largest exporter of uranium, and nearly two-thirds of the world's recoverable potash reserves are located in the Saskatoon region.
• Saskatoon was rated the number one city in Canada for air and water quality by Chatelaine magazine?
• Saskatoon uses the Central Standard Time zone year round?
• Saskatoon is one of the sunniest cities in Canada, receiving an average of 2,381 hours annually?