Welcome to Calgary

Alberta Provincial Summary:

Capital: Edmonton
Motto: (Strong and Free) Fortis et Liber
Flower: Wild Rose
Population: 3,486,767 (est. Dec, 2007)

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 meters 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.

Edmonton is the provincial capital and 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.

Calgary - Location:

The area surrounding Calgary is 'high and dry' (big, blue-sky country), with a combination of foothills in the west and rolling prairie in the remaining directions. It has four distinct seasons with an average annual snowfall of 135 cm. Calgary’s altitude of 1049 meters above sea level keeps it from getting too hot in the summer. In the winter, the city is 'warmed' by the Chinooks, dry winds which blow off the Rocky Mountains (just 60 minutes away!) and can raise a winter day's temperature by over 20°C in a matter of hours (golf shirt weather in January!). We even claim more days of sunshine per year than any other major Canadian city.

Bedroom (satellite) communities" of Calgary include Airdrie to the north, Chestermere and Strathmore to the east, Okotoks to the south, and Cochrane to the west. Just 45 minutes to the west is Canmore.

Canmore has become a coveted tourist destination and favorite location for hideaway and holiday retreats. Canmore is just outside of Banff National Park which offers world-renowned wilderness and wildlife opportunities for the adventurer. A large part of the reason for Canmore’s popularity is that development within Banff National Park is very restricted and controlled. This makes Canmore the best option.

History:

Calgary traces its origins back to a small police post in 1882 and was incorporated in 1893. By the 1970's the city had become the hub of the Canadian oil industry and other energy resources followed with Calgary now accommodating over 85% of Canadian energy companies' headquarters. While the energy industry continues to be a mainstay of the local economy, other sectors have also been targeted for growth including the film industry, tourism, food processing, health services, high-tech research, development, manufacturing (especially in wireless, cellular communications), general manufacturing, and national, international distribution.

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.

The mood of Calgary is upbeat, youthful, dynamic, enthusiastic, and progressive. Calgary is well-known as a destination for winter sports and eco-tourism with a number of major mountain resorts near the city and metropolitan area. Calgary's economy is largely centered on the petroleum industry, with agriculture, tourism, and the high-tech industries also contributing to the city's rapid economic growth.

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 accessible bitumen and oil-sands reserves.

Calgary boasts the lowest provincial and civic tax rates in Canada. The Premier has called this the "Alberta Advantage". Alberta is also the most business friendly province in Canada which helps to maintain a healthy tax base and consistent economic growth. Fuel tax in Alberta is only nine cents a liter and no provincial sales tax contribute to a low cost of living compared to some other provinces. Albertans and the government have recently erased a provincial debt of almost $23 billion.
 

City Attractions:

The city of Calgary has many city parks, including Nose Hill, Canada's largest natural area urban park. Calgary is also is surrounded by many beautiful sites. To the west are the spectacular Canadian Rockies. Hiking, mountaineering, skiing, biking, rafting, kayaking, horse riding and sight-seeing are all easily accessible in the many national and provincial parks and public lands surrounding and within the Rocky Mountain range. Most famous are Banff National Park, and Kananaskis Country. To the east are the badlands, a spectacular set of winding canyons containing one of the largest deposits of dinosaur fossils. Visit the world-famous Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology and research facility in Drumheller or explore Dinosaur Provincial park.

To the north of Calgary enjoy the Red Deer River and Sylvan Lake. Located South of Calgary you can visit the Chain Lakes Provincial Park, a mountain home to an abundance of wildlife, and Head-smashed-in Buffalo Jump, a famous archaeological site depicting the rich history of the native Blackfoot peoples.

Calgary boasts an active arts community. As well as having a large number of independent theatres, downtown Calgary is also home to the Calgary Centre for Performing Arts which has five theatres and one concert hall and is the site for the Calgary Opera and Calgary Philharmonic. Calgary's many theatres target a large range of interests, including murder mystery, musicals, comedy, improvisation, children, and modern plays. A large assortment of music can be found in Calgary, from rock, country, blues, jazz, alternative, opera, classical and more. Catch the Calgary Folk Festival, the Jazz Fest, Edgefest, and the many other concerts and special attractions!

Calgary also has ties to the sporting world, most notable was the hosting of the 1988 Winter Olympics. This city is home to two professional sporting teams: The Calgary Flames (NHL) who play at the Pengrowth Saddledome, and The Calgary Stampeders (CFL) who play at McMahon Stadium and have won 4 Grey Cups. Calgary also supports several minor and junior league teams.

And of course there is the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, the Calgary Stampede. 

Welcome to Calgary!

We like to think our city has it all. A mountain playground only minutes away. Fine dining. Dozens of golf courses and huge natural parks. Music. Theatre. Museums. Historical Sites. A world class Zoo. Hundreds of kilometres of paved recreational pathways. Major sports teams. Come and see for yourself. I know you'll love it.