Edmonton Become a Disney Travel Agent Near Me

Overview

Introduction

If you can, arrive in Edmonton at night. As you ride in from the airport, you'll see Edmonton's glittering steel-and-glass skyline rising on the far shore of the North Saskatchewan River. It's a dramatic introduction to the way oil money transformed this stretch of the north.

Founded by the Hudson's Bay Company in 1794, Edmonton today is Canada's most northerly big city, a provincial capital and an industrial center with an economy based on petrochemicals, biotechnology, engineering, forestry and agricultural goods.

Ideally situated between Canada's remote north and the picturesque Jasper National Park, Edmonton is gaining popularity as a sightseeing and tourist destination. Edmonton is Canada's fifth-largest city, with an educated and innovative workforce that fuels Canada's billion-dollar economy in its wealthiest province. The University of Alberta and the state-of-the-art National Institute for Nanotechnology in Edmonton are setting standards in education and research, establishing Edmonton as the biotech capital of Alberta.

Must See or Do

Sights—The Alberta Legislature Building; history at Fort Edmonton Park; Devonian Botanic Garden; Muttart Conservatory; river valley views from downtown; West Edmonton Mall.

Museums—The Art Gallery of Alberta for a solid collection of Canadian works in all mediums; the Royal Alberta Museum for displays on the province's natural and human history.

Memorable Meals—Sophisticated regional cuisine at Chop Steakhouse and Bar; the perfect lunch spot at Three Bananas; innovative fusions at Culina; fine dining on global dishes at Unheardof.

Late Night—Martinis at the Confederation Lounge; chilling out on Whyte Avenue at Da-de-o; partying with the neighborhood at the Black Dog Freehouse.

Walks—Along the North Saskatchewan River; a stroll around the artificial lake in William Hawrelak Park.

Especially for Kids—Telus World of Science for hands-on displays; the indoor amusement park, sea lions show and water park at West Edmonton Mall; skiing at Snow Valley; the color and fun of the International Street Performer Festival in mid-July.

Geography

The North Saskatchewan River cuts across the city from northeast to southwest. A series of beautiful parks runs along both sides of the river, providing plenty of space for outdoor activities, both winter and summer. The city center sits on a hill on the north bank of the river. Old Strathcona, a well-preserved historic precinct, is on the south side of the river. It is connected to downtown by a light-rail system.

In Edmonton, streets run north-south and avenues run east-west. First Street is at the far eastern edge of the city; First Avenue is to the far south. The intersection of 101st Street and 101st Avenue (more commonly known as Jasper Avenue) is downtown, roughly in the center of the city. The main route into Edmonton (Highway 2) is known as Gateway Boulevard (northbound) and Calgary Trail (southbound).

History

Native tribes moved through the Edmonton area more than 3,000 years ago, but few stayed in the area for long. The Europeans began to settle the area in the 1700s. The location at the southern boundary of Cree and Assiniboine territory and near the northern range of the Blackfoot was ideal—pelts could be traded without crossing into another tribe's land. The fur trade proved profitable enough that the Hudson's Bay Company built a fort on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River: Fort Edmonton.

About 100 years later, as the fur trade was diminishing, Edmonton became a supply center for prospectors heading north into the Yukon's gold country. Coal was also discovered in the area around this time, drawing more settlers to the city. In 1891, a railway connecting to Calgary was finished. When Alberta joined the rest of Canada in 1905, Edmonton was selected as the provincial capital, putting the city firmly on the map.

By far the most important event in Edmonton's recent history was the discovery of oil at nearby Leduc in 1947. Soon, there were thousands of wells within a short drive of the city, and within a decade the population doubled to 250,000. Oil remains an important component of the local economy. North of the city, at Fort McMurray, expanding infrastructure around the oil sands has created a need for expanded processing facilities in Edmonton.

Potpourri

Edmonton is the home of the Oilers, the NHL team that was once home to hockey legend Wayne Gretsky.

The city has one of the lowest population densities in North America—it's 9.4% as dense as New York City.

The Edmonton International Airport is one of the fastest growing airports in the world.

Edmonton boasts more than 30 festivals throughout the year.