Capital:
Edmonton
Motto:
(Strong and Free) Fortis
et Liber
Flower:
Wild Rose
Population,
1998: 2,913,350
The Land
Roughly half of the
southwestern section of
the province is
dominated by mountains
and foothills - striking
reminders of the
glaciers that, over
millions of years,
formed, moved and
receded in the area.
Peaks of the Rocky
Mountains located in
Alberta range from 2 130
to 3 747 meters in
elevation.
Over one-half of the
province of Alberta, or
approximately 350 000 km2,
is covered by forests.
Of the total forest
area, 216 000 km2
are classified as
commercially productive
forest land and contain
both hardwood and
softwood species.
Attractions
The Edmonton Alberta
Capital Region features
more than 40 attractions
of interest, including
galleries, museums,
zoos, and historical
sites. These
attractions, including
West Edmonton Mall,
Odyssium (formerly the
Edmonton Space & Science
Centre), Fort Edmonton
Park and the Alberta
Legislature Building,
offer enjoyment and
entertainment value for
all.
Economy
Alberta has one of the
world's most productive
agricultural economies,
producing about 25
percent of the value of
Canada's annual output.
Approximately 22 million
hectares of cultivated
and uncultivated land
are used as pasture and
forage for livestock.
While wheat remains the
primary crop, the
production of new crops
continues to expand as
the industry
diversifies. The
province maintains the
largest livestock
population in Canada.
Long known as Canada's
"energy province,"
Alberta has more than 65
percent of the country's
reserves of conventional
crude oil, over 80
percent of its natural
gas, and all of its
bitumen and oil-sands
reserves.
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