Alberta (Canada)

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Alberta is located in Western Canada between British Columbia and Saskatchewan. Alberta is a dynamic province that boasts the Rocky Mountains on its western border, numerous lakes including the Lake Athabasca, and Lesser Slave Lake, and vast flat prairies.

Tourism in the Canadian state of Alberta is centred on its famous Rocky Mountain region, which flanks it on its western border with British Columbia and offers a host of alpine attractions. The northern area is a sparsely inhabited wilderness of forests, lakes and rivers; the provincial capital, Edmonton, is in the central area, while in the east, on the border with Saskatchewan, the atmosphere takes on a Wild West feel in the Badlands and prairies.

Even in the cities and towns visitors to Alberta can be sure that nature is never far away. Albertans love the outdoors and urban environments are interspersed with plenty of lush river parks and greenbelts. In fact the capital, Edmonton, has more parkland per capita than any other North American city. An important aspect of Alberta's heritage is its aboriginal culture. Home to 43 First Nations this heritage has been preserved in 14 reserves and educational attractions, ranging from the world's largest tepee to native interpretive trails and exquisite handmade crafts.

Wildlife is abundant in Alberta : you'll be able to see buffalo, black bears, coyotes, wolves, foxes and pumas and grizzly bears in the mountain and wooded areas; Moose and deer in the forests; Mule deer, jumping deer and antelope in the prairies; Wild sheep and goats in the Rocky Mountains; and large numbers of ducks, Canadian geese, and swans in the central areas.

Due to Alberta's dynamic climate and geography tourist attractions, adventure tours, ski resorts, lakeside vacations communities, and recreational activites are plentiful! The Rocky Mountains of Alberta harbour superb resorts and get-aways including Banff and Lake Louise, Jasper, Canmore, Kananaskis, and Waterton. In central and southern Alberta be sure to check out the vast farmlands, and ranches in the area. Central Alberta boasts some of the best dinosaur fossils in North America, so be sure to check out Drumheller , the "Dinosaur Capital of the World"! Participate in the Calgary Stampede , which is a a 10 day summer rodeo full of entertainment and activities for the whole family. Visit Alberta's capital city Edmonton where you'll find West Edmonton Mall - the World's largest shopping and entertainment complex! After a fabulous day at the mall, relax at one of Edmonton's top hotels and accommodations!

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Population: 32.805.000
Languages: English 59.3%, French 23.2% (both official); other
Currency: Canadian dollar
Currency code: CAD
Local Times:
Canada - Ontario - Toronto

Canada - British Columbia - Vancouver

Canada - Quebec - Montreal

Canada - Alberta - Calgary

Canada - Yukon Territory - Whitehorse

Country Dialling Code: +1
Voltage: 120V 60Hz
Electrical plugs:
2 parallel flat prongs

2 Parallel flat prongs with an earth connector

The second largest country on earth (only the Russian Federation is bigger), it stretches over 3,400 miles from Atlantic to Pacific coast, spans six of the world's 24 time zones and could fit most of Europe within its borders.

Yet 90 per cent of the population lives within 100 miles of the US border, leaving huge tracts of unspoilt wilderness elsewhere.

It's the edginess between Canada's indigenous, French and British traditions that gives the nation its complex three-dimensional character. Add to this a constant infusion of US culture and a plethora of traditions brought by migrants, and you have a thriving multicultural society.

With its history, people, landscape and natural beauty, Canada offers an abundance of well-known cities, attractions, parks and regions that make for wonderful destinations whether you're looking for a trip that's educational, inspiring or just plain fun. But don't pass up a chance to explore the less-travelled areas, too - at the fringes of the inhabited world, great challenges, eye-opening experiences and hospitable people await.

From its large cosmopolitan cities to its frozen northern tundra; its snowy mountain peaks to its rugged coastlines; and its rich farmlands to its pioneering outposts, Canada offers something to suit the taste of every traveller. Canada is bound in the west by the Pacific Ocean and Alaska, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the north by the polar ice-cap, and in the south by the United States of America.

It is a country renowned for its stunningly beautiful scenery and love of the outdoors. Even the cities have been carefully designed to preserve metropolitan green belts and parklands, ensuring that Canadians are never far from their natural heritage. The country has a French and British colonial heritage, which is reflected in its cuisine, culture and customs, mixed in with the legacy of the country's own enigmatic aboriginal First Nations history.

In the south the Rocky Mountains intrude into Canada across the border with the United States, separating Canada's two main tourist provinces, British Columbia and Alberta. The mountains abound with winter sports resorts. Throughout the nation the most popular venues for outdoor pursuits, year round, are the country's huge national parks. There are more than 41 of these, one of them, Wood Buffalo National Park in Alberta, being larger than the country of Switzerland. Canadian national parks are unique in that they have cities and towns inside the protected areas, which provide comfortable bases for exploring the natural and manmade attractions of the reserves.