Located on the western edge of the Red River Valley, Winkler is located at the corner of provincial highways 14 and 32. It is northwest of a 24-hour Canada–United States border crossing at Emerson, and about north of the Walhalla–Winkler Border Crossing with the United States at Walhalla, North Dakota.
Winkler is situated on the prehistoric beaches of Lake Agassiz. The lake's shores were formed over 10,000 years ago by the Pembina Escarpment, located a few kilometres west of Winkler. A secondary beach known as the Emerado Beach lies to the west of Winkler. This gentle rise in elevation was formed thousands of years ago when the draining of Lake Agassiz temporarily stalled.
The rich soils of the area are separated by the Emerado Beach. Coarser textured loamy sand soils, located to the west, are suitable for irrigation and produce potato, corn and bean crops. To the east, finer textured clay soils produce sugar beets, beans, canola, corn and small grains.
Winkler's climate is typically continental, resulting in dry cold winters and hot, frequently dry summers. Summer temperatures typically range from , while winter temperatures average between . The Winkler area obtains the most heat units for crop production in Manitoba. Winkler receives an annual average of of precipitation (most of which falls during the spring and summer months) and of snow. Winkler's average frost-free period is 125 days.
Economy
thumb|Valley Fiber head office and data centre
Winkler is the economic hub of southern Manitoba. The retail trading area serves an estimated 17,000 households. 4,380 people are employed in Winkler. Approximately 30% of the work force is employed in the industrial sector. The city's second-largest employer, employing 20% of the work force, is the health and education sector.
A number of industries have grown and developed in Winkler throughout the years. One of Winkler's largest employers is Triple E Recreational Vehicles, a recreational vehicle manufacturer. Other products manufactured in Winkler include mobile homes, houseboats, farm equipment, windows and doors. Two foundries, a straw fibre plant and a tire recycling plant are also located in Winkler.
Winkler's agricultural sector is one of the most productive and diversified in Manitoba. The area surrounding Winkler is home to rich, fertile soils which are especially suited to growing potatoes. However, many other crops are grown in the area, including wheat, canola, corn and beans. The area's livestock operations also continue to grow; hogs and cattle are raised, while dairy farms contribute to the making of cheese.
Business development in Winkler has boomed in the years since incorporation. On average, the city becomes home to 10-20 new businesses per year. In 2002, 55 new businesses were established in Winkler. The increase in new businesses can be attributed to low taxes, reasonably priced real estate and cooperation between the city and entrepreneurs. One example of this is the recently established Incubator Mall, a city-owned, five office facility that gives new businesses the opportunity to rent office space at moderate rates. Once those businesses outgrow the space, they relocate, making room for new startups.
A recent development is the rise of and competition in the technology industry in Winkler with startup internet service provider Valley Fiber and Bell MTS installing fiber optic cabling (fibre to the home) throughout the city.
Government and politics
thumb|alt=City Hall in Winkler, Manitoba.|Winkler City Hall
Winkler is governed by a mayor and six councillors who are elected by residents. The current mayor of Winkler is Henry Siemens. The current Winkler city councillors are Marvin Plett, Peter Froese, Andrew Froese, Michael Grenier, Don Friesen, and Ryan Hildebrand.
Winkler is represented in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba (as part of the Morden-Winkler riding) by Progressive Conservative MLA, Carrie Hiebert, and in the House of Commons of Canada (as part of the Portage—Lisgar riding) by Conservative MP, Branden Leslie.
Transport
Winkler's chief transport connection to other communities is the highway system. Winnipeg is accessible from Winkler either via PTH 14 and PTH 3 or via PR 428 or PTH 23 and PTH 75 or PTH 14 and PTH 75. PTH 32 leads directly to the Winkler Port of Entry on the Canada–United States border. A 4-lane divided highway connects Winkler and the other major city of the region, Morden.
Winkler Airport (CKZ7, ) is located in the city's industrial park. It has two runways: an turf/paved runway (09/27), and a turf runway (17/35). Aircraft which need a longer runway are advised to use the Morden Regional Aerodrome which is located from Winkler.
The city has three privately owned taxi services, Pembina Valley Taxi, Winkler Taxi Service, and Green Taxi Service. In 2024, Winkler launched a 3 year pilot project On-Demand Transit service offering shuttle service within city limits as well as to Boundary Trails Health Centre.
Canadian Pacific Railway has a spur line going into Winkler's industrial park that connects to the La Riviere subdivision, a secondary feeder line on the CPR network.