| Travel Alberta: Alberta Travel Guide and Essential Information
Most foreigners and locals alike know Alberta, Canada to be the home of the Canadian Rockies – a snow-capped and
jagged mountain range running from the edge of BC through Alberta. Yet the Rockies aren’t the only sight to feast your eyes on
when travelling Alberta. Drumheller will take you back to Dinosaur times to explore fossils and complete dinosaur skeletons,
while the rapidly-growing cities of Calgary and Edmonton will bring you into a faster-paced urban culture with country flair.
Alberta travel can be enjoyed in any season due to the many summer and winter activities it offers, although most people
frequent the province from the spring to early fall when the temperatures are warmest. This way, travellers can enjoy the
majestic sites of Banff and Lake Louise, or even head through the prairie flat-lands to see the world’s largest tee-pee in
Medicine Hat.
Between Alberta’s Rockies and prairies you can
find Calgary, the province’s capital and centre of commerce. Home of the 1998 Winter Olympics, this youthful city is known
for its booming economy and all-season activities. One yearly and wildly popular summer tradition is the Calgary Stampede.
This 10-day country and western extravaganza draws professional rodeo riders, cowboys and good-time-lovin’ people from
throughout the world. The party is so big that most residents find it hard to work while the Stampede is in full swing.
If shopping is more your bag,
head to Edmonton to shop till you drop at the famous West Edmonton
Mall, the Western Hemisphere's biggest indoor shopping
and entertainment experience. Often referred to as the “8th wonder of the modern world” this
massive mall spans the equivalent of 48 city blocks. Highlights include a wave-pool, amusement park, mini-golf course, salt water
lagoon complete with working submarines, ice rink, themed hotel and over 900 stores and restaurants.
Further north of Edmonton is the hub of Alberta’s booming economy where you’ll find the
world’s third largest oil deposit hidden in the dark tar sands of Fort MacMurray. Due
to Alberta’s “black gold”, the province is
in excellent financial shape, as such, you won’t find a provincial sales tax on goods and services.
Alberta is one of the most geographically fascinating provinces because it combines some of the highest peaks and flattest
flats in all of Canada. These heights and depths ensure that the eye will never be board when scanning the Alberta
landscapes or experiencing its youthful and outdoorsy culture.
Quick Alberta Facts
Provincial Capital: Edmonton
Time zone: Mountain Time. When it is 12:00 noon in New York City, it is 10:00 AM in Calgary.
Area code: 403
Major Airport: Calgary International Airport (YYC) is located 14.5km (9mi) northeast of the city.
Language: English
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