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Western Canada At A Glance
Here are some general facts and important information to help your
group or escort get the most from your adventure in Western Canada.
| Western Canada > British Columbia |
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Provincial Icons & Emblems
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Bird: Stellar's Jay
Tree: Red Cedar
Stone: BC Jade
Flower: Pacific Dogwood
Motto: "Splendor sine occasu" meaning "Splendour Without Diminshment" |
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Area
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| Approximately 950,000 square kilometers |
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Area Codes
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| 250, 604 — depending on region, one of these area codes must be dialed for long distance calls into or within British Columbia. |
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Capital City
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| Victoria |
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Climate
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| British Columbia enjoys a moderate climate in comparison to some regions in Canada; In fact, the coastal regions experience the longest frost-free periods in the country. Varying from continental in the interior to marine-like conditions along the coastline, British Columbia’s climate is determined by prevailing westerly winds, blowing in warm from the Pacific Ocean. The southern portion of the province has the driest and warmest weather, and the coastal region sees the most rainfall. Average temperatures vary greatly depending on the region of the province. For example, Vancouver sees milder average maximum temperatures of 5ºC(41ºF) in January to 25ºC(77ºF) in July, where Northern BC and the mountains see average maximum temperatures of -15ºC(5ºF) in January to 20ºC(68ºF) in July. |
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Emergencies
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In the event of an emergency, dial 911 for immediate police, fire and medical assistance. |
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Highest Elevation
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| Mount Fairweather - 4,666 m (15,300 ft) above sea level |
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Major Industries
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| British Columbia thrives on traditional industries such as minerals, timber, fish and hydroelectricity. However, in the last decade the economy has been given a significant boost by newer industries such as tourism (including eco-tourism and agri-tourism), high tech industry and the film industry. |
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National & Provincial Parks
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| ritish Columbia boasts 7 National Parks, and over 850 regional, marine and provincial parks. Renowned for its beauty, this province provides world-class recreation and outdoor adventure no matter which region you find yourself in. |
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Population
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4,254,522
(official 2005 population, Statistics Canada) |
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Premier
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The Honourable Gordon Campbell,
Leader of the Liberal Party of British Columbia. |
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Tax Information
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| Most purchases in British Columbia are subject to a combined sales tax totaling 13%, a blend of the 7% provincial sales tax (PST) and the 6% federal Goods and Services Tax (GST). The PST applies to most retail purchases except liquor, which is taxed at 10%. Some items including groceries, restaurant meals, and books are PST exempt. The GST applies to most purchased goods and services. |
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Time Zone
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| Most of British Columbia falls under the Pacific Standard Time, which is 8 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time, and 3 hours behind Eastern Standard Time (Toronto/New York City). Some eastern areas of British Columbia fall under Mountain Standard Time, the same time zone as Alberta, one hour ahead of British Columbia. British Columbia practices Daylight Savings Time. |
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Towns & Cities
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| British Columbia is made up of two major cities (Vancouver and Victoria), and more than 450 towns, villages, and smaller urban centres. |
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Famous People
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BC is the birthplace of many well-recognized names in the worlds of sports, science, politics, the arts and general celebrity. Among the long list are…
Kim Campbell, Canada’s first female Prime Minister, Port Alberni
Pamela Anderson, model/actress, Vancouver Island
Nelly Furtado, singer, Victoria
Percy Williams, sprint athlete, Vancouver
Dorothy Stratten, model/actress, Vancouver
Diana Krall, jazz musician, Nanaimo
Arthur Charles Erickson, architect, Vancouver |
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Fast Facts
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- British Columbia has the largest Chinese population in Canada
- Approximately one half of British Columbia is covered by forest
- British Columbia is the third-largest film and television production centre in North America (behind New York and Los Angeles)
- At 1,368 kilometres, the Fraser River is the longest river in British Columbia
- British Columbia is home to the 96-metre Sitka Spruce tree called the Carmanah Giant, tallest tree in Canada and the tallest of its species anywhere in the world
- The Capilano Suspension Bridge in North Vancouver is the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the world
- GreenPeace was started in Kitsilano in 1970
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| Western Canada > Alberta |
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Area
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661,185 square kilometers |
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Area Codes
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403, 780 — depending on region, one of these area codes must be dialed for long distance calls into or within Alberta. |
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Capital City
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Edmonton |
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Climate
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Alberta’s climate varies widely from season to season, like most of the Canadian provinces, ranging from warm and sunny in the summer to cold and snowy in the winter. Spring and fall are generally moderate as the province transitions between the contrary conditions of summer and winter. Average temperatures throughout the year range from (in °C) 20° to 68° in the summer, and –15° to 15° in the winter. |
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Highest Elevation
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Mount Columbia – 3,747m (12,294ft) above sea level |
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Hostelling
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| Alberta offers 16 hostels across the province, ranging from very basic (bed, kitchen facilities) to quite superior (family rooms, laundry, saunas, etc.). Hostels provide excellent accommodation choices to travelers seeking alternatives. Alberta’s 16 hostels can be found in Jasper, Banff, Waterton, Kananaskis Country, David Thompson Country, Calgary and Edmonton. |
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Major Industries
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Alberta's major industries are energy, business and commercial services, transportation and utilities, finance and real estate, retail and wholesale trade, and manufacturing. Over the past decade, the economy has experienced rapid growth in such industries as petrochemicals, forest products, food processing, machinery, electronics and telecommunications, tourism, and business services. Tourism generates over $4 billion in revenues each year. |
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National & Provincial Parks
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Alberta boasts 5 National Parks, and more than 60 provincial parks. The province is world-famous for its superior natural beauty and outdoor recreation. Of Canada’s 13 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, 5 are located in Alberta, and each one is a national treasure in its own right. |
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Population
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2,907,882 (official 2001 population) |
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Premier
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The Honourable Ed Stelmach, Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Alberta |
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Tax Information
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Alberta is the only province in Canada with no Provincial Sales Tax (PST). However, there is a 4% Tourism Levy on all hotel rooms. The Canadian Government also charges 6% Goods & Services Tax (GST) on most purchases. Non-residents of Canada can claim a GST rebate on some accommodations and purchases taken out of the country. For more information visit www.cra-arc.ga.ca/tax. |
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Towns & Cities
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Alberta is made up of 2 major cities and over 140 other urban centers and towns. |
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Famous People
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Alberta is the birthplace of many well-recognized names in the worlds of sports, science, politics, the arts and general celebrity. Among the long list are…
-Michael J. Fox, actor, Edmonton
-Joni Mitchell, singer/songwriter, Fort MacLeod
-Owen Hart, professional wrestler, Calgary
-Lynn Seymour, ballet dancer, Wainwright
-Jill Hennessy, actor, Edmonton
-Bertram Neville Brockhouse, physicist, Lethbridge
-Joe Clark, Canadian statesman and former prime minister, High River
-Marshall McLuhan, writer, Edmonton |
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Fast Facts
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Alberta Fast Facts
• Banff National Park is Canada’s first and oldest national park
• West Edmonton Mall is the world’s largest
shopping and entertainment complex
• Wood Buffalo National Park is the largest national park in Canada, and the second largest in the world
• Wood Buffalo National Park also is home to the largest herd of free roaming bison in the world
• Lake Louise is the largest ski area in Canada
• The world’s largest Ukrainian Easter Egg (Pysanka) is located in Vegreville
• Moraine Lake in Banff National Park is one of
the most photographed lakes in the world
• The world’s largest Tyrannosaurus Rex is located in Drumheller
• Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump is North America's largest, oldest and best preserved
buffalo jump site
• The world’s largest oil sands development (Suncor/Syncrude Oil Sand Plant) is located
in Fort McMurray
• McLennan is the bird capital of Canada
• The Olympic Hall of Fame in Calgary is the largest Olympic museum in the world
• The Calgary Saddledome has the world’s largest cable suspended roof “reverse
hyperbolic paraboloid”
• The Calgary Stampede is referred to as the greatest outdoor show on earth
• St. Paul is home to the world’s first and only U.F.O. landing pad
• Edmonton has more park land per capita than any other North American city
• The world’s tallest teepee is in Medicine Hat |
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Provincial Icons & Emblems
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Bird: Great Horned Owl
Flower: Wild Rose
Fish: Bull Trout
Mammal: Rocky Mountain Big Horned Sheep
Stone: Petrified Wood
Tree: Lodgepole Pine
Grass: Rough Fescue Grass
Motto: Fortis et Liber (Strong and Free) |
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Emergencies
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| In the event of an emergency, dial 911 for immediate police, fire, and medical assistance. |
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Time Zone
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| Mountain Standard Time (MST) |
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| Western Canada > Saskatchewan |
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Area
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| 651,900 square kilometers |
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Area Code
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| 306 - This area code must be dialed for long distance calls info or within Saskatchewan. |
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Capital City
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| Regina |
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Cities and Towns
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| There are 13 cities in Saskatchewan and over 200 towns. |
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Climate
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| Saskatchewan experiences a wide variety of climate conditions throughout the year. The summers are warm across the province, with southern Saskatchewan generally hot and dry. There is plenty of sunshine year-round, contrasted by rainfall in the range of 12-17 inches. Snow and wind are very common during the winter, sometimes with snowfall in the spring and fall. Average temperatures throughout the year range from 10°C (50°F) to 35°C (95°F) in the summer, and -20°C (-4°F) to -5°C (23°F) in the winter. |
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Emergencies
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| In the event of an emergency, dial 911 for immediate police, fire and medical assistance. |
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Highest Elevation
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| Cypress Hills – 1,392 m (4,566 ft) above sea level |
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Largest City
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| Saskatoon |
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Major Industries
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| Agriculture, mining, manufacturing, tourism, forestry |
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Population
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1,021,080 (Source: Statistics Canada)
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National & Provincial Parks
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| 2 National Parks; 26 Provincial Parks |
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Tax Information
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The Provincial Sales Tax is a 5% sales tax, which applies to the purchase, importation, or rental of certain goods and services.
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Time Zone
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| Central Standard Time (CST), year-round. |
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Historic Dates
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1905 – Became a province with Regina as the capital
1969 – Official provincial flag adopted |
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Origin of Province Name
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| From the Plains Indian word, "kisiskatchewan", meaning "the river that flows swiftly"; a reference to the area's major river. |
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Famous People
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Saskatchewan is the birthplace of many well-recognized names in the worlds of sports, science, politics, the arts and general celebrity. Among the long list are…
Glenn Hall, NHL record holder - Humboldt
Keith Morrison, broadcast journalist – Lloydminster
Colin James, singer/songwriter – Regina
Leslie Nielsen, actor – Regina
Gordie Howe, NHL record holder – Floral
Allan Fotheringham, journalist – Hearne
Dr. David Williams, doctor/astronaut – Saskatoon
Art Linkletter, radio & television star – Moose Jaw
Dick Irvin Jr., sports broadcaster – Regina
Tom Jackson, actor – One Arrow Reserve
Pamela Wallin, broadcast journalist – Wadena
Buffy Sainte-Marie, singer/songwriter – Piapot Reserve
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Interesting Facts
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• Saskatchewan is the only province with entirely man-made boundaries.
• Saskatchewan has more road surface than
any other province in Canada - 250,000 km.
• Saskatchewan produces over 54% of the wheat grown in Canada.
• Regina, Saskatchewan is home to Canada’s only training academy for Royal Canadian Mounted Police recruits.
• Estevan, Saskatchewan is Canada’s sunshine capital, averaging more than 2,500 sunshine-filled hours each year.
• Saskatchewan is the site of North America’s
oldest bird sanctuary, established in1887 at
Lake Mountain Lake.
• Curling was named Saskatchewan’s official sport in 2001, due to its rich history in the province. The Richardson brothers of Regina won four Canadian and World men’s championships between 1959-1963. The Schmirler team, also of Regina, won three Canadian and World women’s championships in the 1990s, followed by an Olympic gold medal in 1998, the first ever women’s Olympic gold in curling. |
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Provincial Icons & Emblems
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Bird: Sharp-tailed grouse
Flower: Western red lily
Mineral: Sylvite (Potash)
Tree: White birch
Grass: Needle-and-thread grass
Sport: Curling
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| Western Canada > Manitoba |
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Area
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649,950 sq. kilometers, or 6.5% of Canada’s total land area |
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Area Code
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| 204 |
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Capital City
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| Winnipeg |
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Climate
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| Manitoba is known for warm and sunny summers and bright, cold winters. Average summertime temperatures are 25oC (77oF) while average winter temperatures can range from -18o to -26oC. (0o to -14oF). Southern regions of Manitoba receive an average of 11-140 cm of snow annually, while northeasterly regions see up to 160 cm. |
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Emergencies
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| To access fire, police and ambulance in an emergency, dial 911. |
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Highest Elevation
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| Mount Baldy – 831 m (2725ft) above sea level |
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Hostelling
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There are three hostels in the province, all of which are located in the capital city, Winnipeg. These hostels are Guest House International, Hi-Winnipeg Ivey House Hostel, and University Of Winnipeg Student Housing.
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Major Industries
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The largest industry in Manitoba’s $36 billion economy is manufacturing, which accounts for about 12% of the province’s GDP. Mining, Agriculture and Forestry combine to contribute approximately 7% of Manitoba’s GDP. As home to Canada's only agricultural commodity exchange, Winnipeg is the centre of Canada’s grain trade. Head offices for Canada's largest insurance company, largest mutual fund distributor, and largest integrated media company are also located in Manitoba.
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National & Provincial Parks
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Manitoba has two National Parks: Riding Mountain National Park, and Wapusk National Park. There are also over 50 provincial parks in the province, ideal for camping, hiking and wildlife viewing.
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Population
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| 1,178,348 (as of January 1, 2006) |
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Premier
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Gary Doer, leader of Manitoba’s New Democrat Party, has been the Province’s Premier since 1999.
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Tax Information
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Manitoba’s Retail Sales Tax (RST) is a 7 % tax applied to the retail sale or rental of most goods and certain services in Manitoba. The tax is calculated on the selling price, before the 6% GST (Good and Services Tax) is applied.
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Time Zone
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| Central Time Zone |
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Famous People
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Burton Cummings, singer/songwriter, Winnipeg
Neil Young, singer/songwriter, Winnipeg
Anna Paquin, actress, Winnipeg
Scott Bairstow, actor, Steinbach
Clara Hughes, Olympic cyclist, Winnipeg
Corey Koskie, MLB third baseman, Anola
Margaret Laurence, author, Neepawa
Chantal Kreviazuk, singer, Winnipeg
Ed Belfour, NHL goaltender, Carman
William George "Billy" Barker, WWI Fighter Ace, Dauphin
Terry Fox, activist, Winnipeg
Ron Hextall, NHL Player, Brandon
Fred Penner, children’s entertainer, Winnipeg
Tom Jackson, musician and actor, Winnipeg
Adam Beach, actor, Winnipeg
Nia Vardalos, actress and writer, Winnipeg
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Manitoba Fast Facts
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• Translated from the languages of the province’s Aboriginal people, Manitoba means "where the spirit lives".
• Manitoba is home to over 100,000 lakes.
• West Hawk Lake in Eastern Manitoba is the province’s deepest lake, at a depth of 115 m (400ft).
• The Winnipeg Art Gallery is Western Canada’s oldest public art gallery and home to the world’s largest public collection of contemporary Inuit art.
• Churchill is the only human settlement where polar bears can be observed in the wild.
• Over 250 species of birds travel through Churchill each year during migration.
• The Costume Museum of Canada in Winnipeg contains over 35,000 artifacts, dating back over 400 years.
• The Royal Canadian Mint is located in Winnipeg and manufactures currency for Canada and countries around the world.
• Altona is the Sunflower Capital of Canada.
• The Flin-Flon Trout Festival is a month long fishing derby held every year in June.
• The Royal Winnipeg Ballet is the second-oldest ballet company in North America and the oldest surviving dance company in Canada.
• The Northern Manitoba Trappers Festival originated in 1916 and continues to celebrate the culture and heritage of the northern pioneer.
• Gimli is home to the largest Icelandic community outside of Iceland.
Provincial Icons and Emblems
Bird - Great Gray Owl
Flower - Prairie Crocus
Mammal - Bison
Tree - White Spruce
Motto - Gloriosus et liber (Glorious and free) |
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Professional Spectator Sports
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Winnipeg Blue Bombers (CFL Football)
204-784-2583
www.bluebombers.com
Manitoba Moose (AHL Hockey)
Toll Free: 1-888-626-6673
www.moosehockey.com
Winnipeg Goldeyes (Northern League Baseball)
204-982-BASE
www.goldeyes.com |
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