Alberta Canada

Welcome to Alberta – undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places on earth, as vast as it is varied in landscape and experiences. Alberta is an exceptional vacation destination you won’t soon forget, filled with unique activities, urban charms and cultural jewels.

Located in the heart of western Canada, the province of Alberta is bordered by the Canadian Rocky Mountains to the west and the prairies of Saskatchewan to the east.  

Banff and Jasper, world-renowned resorts in our Canadian Rockies, offer luxurious accommodation and fine dining. In the summer, find stunning hiking, golf and spa experiences; in winter, ski the best powder in the world. Find out why so many of our national parks are UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Take a day trip south and east into the Canadian Badlands and go back millions of years to the age of the dinosaurs. Or venture north into a land of pristine lakes, backcountry lodges, and trophy fishing. In winter you’re sure to see the Aurora Borealis – try it by dog sled!

Direct flights from most major centres take you to the vibrant cities of Edmonton and Calgary. Edmonton, our capital city, features North America’s largest indoor shopping and entertainment complex, as well as an amazing menu of festivals. Each year, Calgary hosts the internationally acclaimed Calgary Stampede, which celebrates its 100^th birthday in July. 

Facts and Stats

• Capital of Alberta - Edmonton
• Area of Alberta - 661 185 sq km (255 303 sq mi); Alberta is the fourth largest province in Canada.
• Coordinates - between 49 and 60 degrees north latitude and between 110 and 120 degrees west longitude.
• Width & Length - north to south - 1223 km (764 mi); east to west - 660 km (412 mi).
• Alberta receives 2 330 hours of sunshine annually, the highest in Canada.
• Highest mountain in Alberta - Mt. Columbia 3 747 m (12 294 ft); and the second highest peak in the Canadian Rockies.
• Lowest point in Alberta - where the Salt River enters the Northwest Territories in northeast Alberta 183 m (600 ft).
• Alberta has two international airports: one in Edmonton and one in Calgary.
• Alberta has more than 280 golf courses; seven of Canada’s signature courses are located here.
• Alberta has five of Canada’s 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as designated by the United Nations.
• There are at least 66 regional ski hills in the province as well as 6 major Canadian Rockies ski resorts.

Bragging Rights

• Canada's largest mountain national park, and world's largest Dark Sky Preserve - Jasper National Park
• Canada's first/oldest national park - Banff National Park
• World's largest shopping and entertainment complex - West Edmonton Mall
• World's first international "Peace Park" - Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park
• World's second largest and Canada's largest national park - Wood Buffalo National Park
• Largest ski area in Canada - Lake Louise
• World's largest Ukrainian Easter Egg (Pysanka) - Vegreville
• Second largest glacier fed lake in the world - Maligne Lake (Jasper National Park)
• One of the world's most photographed lakes - Moraine Lake (Banff National Park)
• North America's largest outdoor music festival - Big Valley Jamboree (Camrose)
• World's largest Tyrannosaurus Rex - Drumheller
• One of the most scenic highways in the world - Icefields Parkway
• Canada's largest public display of live reptiles - Reptile World (Drumheller)
• World's largest herd of free roaming bison - Wood Buffalo National Park
• North America's largest, oldest and best preserved buffalo jump site - Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
• World's largest oil sands development - Suncor/Syncrude Oil Sand Plant (Fort McMurray)
• Only city in Canada found within two provinces - Lloydminster, "Canada's Border City"
• Largest museum in Western Canada - Glenbow Museum (Calgary)
• Bird capital of Canada - McLennan
• North America's largest theatre festival - Fringe Festival (Edmonton)
• Second largest zoo in Canada - Calgary Zoo (Calgary)
• One of the richest dinosaur fossil discoveries in the world - Dinosaur Provincial Park
• Home of Iceland's greatest poet - Stephansson House (Markerville)
• World's largest cable suspended roof "reverse hyperbolic paraboloid" - Pengrowth Saddledome (Calgary)
• North America's first covered speed skating oval - Olympic Oval (Calgary)
• The richest show jumping contest in the world - The Masters at Spruce Meadows (Calgary)
• One of North America's largest collections of antique and classic cars, trucks and planes - Reynolds-Alberta Museum (Wetaskiwin)
• Greatest outdoor show on earth - the Calgary Stampede (Calgary)
• World's first Indoor bungy jump - West Edmonton Mall (Edmonton)
• World's tallest teepee - Medicine Hat
• North America's largest collection of horse drawn vehicles - Remington Carriage Museum