661,185 square kilometers

403, 780 — depending on region, one of these area codes must be dialed for long distance calls into or within Alberta.

Edmonton

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

Mount Columbia – 3,747m (12,294ft) above sea level

The Honourable Ed Stelmach, Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Alberta

Alberta is made up of 2 major cities and over 140 other urban centers and towns.

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 20°C to 23°C (68°F to 73°F) in the summer, and –8°C to –25°C (18°F to -13°F) in the winter.

• Banff National Park is Canada’s first and oldest national park
• West Edmonton Mall is North America’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 Calgary’s Pengrowth 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

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.

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.

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 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, 5 are located in Alberta, and each one is a national treasure in its own right.

3,290,350 (2006 Statistics Canada)

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 5% 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.