Calgary is an attractive and dynamic city situated on the banks of the Bow River approximately 80 km (50 mi) east of Alberta‘s majestic Rocky Mountains. Calgary is the largest city in the Province of Alberta, and is located in the south with an elevation of 1,048 m (3,438 ft), in an area of foothills and high plains.
In 2009, the City of Calgary had a population of 1,065,455, making it the third-largest municipality in the country and largest in Alberta. In 2009, Calgary’s metropolitan population was estimated at 1,263,295, making it the fourth-largest CMA in Canada.
Located 300 km (200 mi) due south of Edmonton, statisticians define the narrow populated area between these cities as the “Calgary-Edmonton Corridor.”Calgary is the largest Canadian metropolitan area between Toronto and Vancouver.
Calgary is well-known as a destination for winter sports and ecotourism with a number of major mountain resorts near the city and metropolitan area. Economic activity in Calgary is mostly centred on the oil and gas industry; however, agriculture, tourism, and high-tech industries also contribute to the city’s economic growth.
In 1988, Calgary was the first Canadian city to host the Olympic Winter games and proudly displays the legacy. Canada Olympic Park is a multi-purpose athletic facility designed for skiing, snowboarding, bobsleigh and luge during the winter, and mountain biking during the summer.
The Calgary Stampede is undoubtedly Calgary’s best-known visitor attraction. This event, featuring a large parade and world-class rodeo, draws more than a million people each year from around the world.
The Pengrowth Saddledome is the home of the NHL’s Calgary Flames, as well as the venue for countless events and concerts throughout the year.
Other attractions, including the Glenbow Museum, Calgary Tower and Eau Claire Market are other great places to visit year-round while in Calgary.
Below is a great video on the on the spirit of Calgary and the people that live here. If you’ve got a half hour it’s really worth watching. It was directed by acclaimed author, activist and filmmaker Erwin Raphael McManus and showcases Calgarians such as W. Brett Wilson, Amanda R. Rebec, Gilles Brassart, and Jocelyn Alice.
