|
Capital: Edmonton
Motto: (Strong and Free) Fortis et Liber
Flower: Wild Rose
Population, 1998: 2,913,350
The Land
Roughly half of the southwestern section of the province is dominated by mountains and foothills - striking reminders of the glaciers that, over millions of years, formed, moved and receded in the area. Peaks of the Rocky Mountains located in Alberta range from 2 130 to 3 747 metres in elevation.
Over one-half of the province of Alberta, or approximately 350 000 km2, is covered by forests. Of the total forest area, 216 000 km2 are classified as commercially productive forest land and contain both hardwood and softwood species.
Attractions
The Edmonton Alberta Capital Region features more than 40 attractions of interest, including galleries, museums, zoos, and historical sites. These attractions, including West Edmonton Mall, Odyssium (formerly the Edmonton Space & Science Centre), Fort Edmonton Park and the Alberta Legislature Building, offer enjoyment and entertainment value for all.
Economy
Alberta has one of the world's most productive agricultural economies, producing about 25 percent of the value of Canada's annual output. Approximately 22 million hectares of cultivated and uncultivated land are used as pasture and forage for livestock. While wheat remains the primary crop, the production of new crops continues to expand as the industry diversifies. The province maintains the largest livestock population in Canada.
Long known as Canada's "energy province," Alberta has more than 65 percent of the country's reserves of conventional crude oil, over 80 percent of its natural gas, and all of its bitumen and oil-sands reserves.
*Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition, Copyright (c) 2003
Calgary
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noi3M62wYJ0
Driven by an Oil and Gas based economy, Calgary remains one of North America’s most prominent and economically resilient cities. Calgary sustains the lowest unemployment rate in Canada, extremely high rates of people with post-secondary education and attracts high levels of investment activity.
The city is the cornerstone of the Oil and Gas industry in Canada and therefore the office provides expertise services to some of the worlds most crucial, productive and profitable companies. Business sectors such as high tech, financial, environmental and professional services have also emerged as significant stakeholders in the Calgary market.
Calgary is an attractive and lively city located on the Bow River and close to Alberta's majestic Rocky Mountains. It is best known for The Calgary Stampede. This event, featuring numerous attractions and a world-class rodeo, entices more than a million people every year. Other attractions, including the Glenbow Museum, Calgary Tower, and Canada Olympic Park are places worth a visit all year round. Although Calgary maintains its western image, there is so much more to this amazing and increasingly cosmopolitan city.
With summers being generally warm and sunny, there is plenty to see and do in the city. Whether it is fly fishing, horseback riding, a guided coach tour to the Rocky Mountains, white water rafting, or just relaxing that you are looking for, Calgary can offer it all. During the winter you can experience activities like nowhere else in Canada. There is no shortage of ski hills, you can go dog sledding, or test your adventurous side and try heli-skiing. Calgary's skyline rises vastly at the western end of almost one thousand miles of prairie. This city is second only to Toronto, for the number of corporate head offices in Canada. Today, there are over 1.26 million residents in Calgary and it is growing faster than anywhere else in the province.
The University of Calgary has established itself as one of the finest educational institutes in Canada, and is Calgary's fourth largest employer. It has nearly 26,000 students including 900 international students, and has been recognized as one of Canada's top seven research institutes. There are many other post secondary facilities in or near Calgary, including, Athabasca University and community colleges.
Calgary has all types of housing appropriate for anyone; whether it is a single family home, a duplex, a town home, or a high rise that you are looking for, you will find it here. And whether it is an urban, suburban, or rural setting that you are looking for Calgary can offer it all.
|