Cities ofCities of CanadaCanada

CalgaryCalgaryMartynyuk SergiyMartynyuk Sergiy

Slukovska InnaSlukovska Inna

SymbolsSymbolsHistoryHistory

Before the Calgary area was settled Before the Calgary area was settled by by EuropeansEuropeans, it was inhabited by Pre-, it was inhabited by Pre-ClovisClovis people whose presence has been people whose presence has been traced back at least 11,000 years. In 1787, traced back at least 11,000 years. In 1787, cartographercartographer DavidDavid ThompsonThompson spent the spent the winter with a band of winter with a band of PeiganPeigan encamped encamped along the along the BowBow RiverRiver. He was the first . He was the first recorded European to visit the area, and recorded European to visit the area, and JohnJohn GlennGlenn was the first documented was the first documented European settler in the Calgary area, in European settler in the Calgary area, in 1873. The native way of life remained 1873. The native way of life remained relatively unchanged until the late 1870s, relatively unchanged until the late 1870s, when Europeans hunted the buffalo to when Europeans hunted the buffalo to near-extinction. Between 1896 and 1914 near-extinction. Between 1896 and 1914 settlers from all over the world poured settlers from all over the world poured into the area in response to the offer of into the area in response to the offer of free "free "homesteadhomestead" land. Agriculture and " land. Agriculture and ranching became key components of the ranching became key components of the local economy, shaping the future of local economy, shaping the future of Calgary for years to come. The world Calgary for years to come. The world famous famous CalgaryCalgary StampedeStampede, still held , still held annually in July, grew from a small annually in July, grew from a small agricultural show and rodeo started in agricultural show and rodeo started in 1912 by four wealthy ranchers to "the 1912 by four wealthy ranchers to "the greatest outdoor show on earth". greatest outdoor show on earth".

City of City of CalgaryCalgary

Calgary is the largest city in the Calgary is the largest city in the ProvinceProvince of of AlbertaAlberta, , CanadaCanada. The Calgary . The Calgary censuscensus metropolitanmetropolitan areaarea (CMA) is the third most diverse in Canada in terms of visible (CMA) is the third most diverse in Canada in terms of visible minorities after Toronto and Vancouver when considering only CMAs with minorities after Toronto and Vancouver when considering only CMAs with population greater than 200,000. It is located in the south of the province, in an population greater than 200,000. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of area of foothillsfoothills and and highhigh plainsplains, approximately 80 km (50 mi) east of the front , approximately 80 km (50 mi) east of the front ranges of the ranges of the CanadianCanadian RockiesRockies. The city is located in the Grassland region of . The city is located in the Grassland region of Alberta. Calgary is the third largest civic municipality, Alberta. Calgary is the third largest civic municipality, byby populationpopulation in Canada, in Canada, and is also an emerging and is also an emerging globalglobal citycity. In the . In the CanadaCanada 2006 2006 CensusCensus, the city had a , the city had a population of 988,193 and the CMA had a population of 1,079,310. As of the population of 988,193 and the CMA had a population of 1,079,310. As of the 2009 civic census, Calgary's population was 1,065,455 and the CMA had a 2009 civic census, Calgary's population was 1,065,455 and the CMA had a population of 1,182,446.population of 1,182,446.

Greater Calgary is the fifth largest CMA in the country after Greater Calgary is the fifth largest CMA in the country after TorontoToronto, , MontrealMontreal, , VancouverVancouver, and , and OttawaOttawa. Located 300 km (200 mi) due south of . Located 300 km (200 mi) due south of EdmontonEdmonton, , statisticians define the narrow populated area between these cities as the "statisticians define the narrow populated area between these cities as the "Calgary-EdmontonCalgary-Edmonton CorridorCorridor." Calgary is the largest Canadian ." Calgary is the largest Canadian metropolitanmetropolitan areaarea between between TorontoToronto and and VancouverVancouver..

Calgary is well-known as a destination for Calgary is well-known as a destination for winterwinter sportssports and and ecotourismecotourism with a with a number of major mountain resorts near the city and metropolitan area. number of major mountain resorts near the city and metropolitan area. Economic activity in Calgary is mostly centred on the Economic activity in Calgary is mostly centred on the petroleumpetroleum industryindustry; however, ; however, agriculture, tourism, and high-tech industries also contribute to the city's agriculture, tourism, and high-tech industries also contribute to the city's economiceconomic growthgrowth. Calgary holds many major annual festivals which include the . Calgary holds many major annual festivals which include the CalgaryCalgary StampedeStampede, the , the FolkFolk MusicMusic Festival, the Festival, the LilacLilac FestivalFestival, , OneOne YellowYellow RabbitRabbit High High Performance Rodeo — Calgary's International Festival of the Arts, Wordfest: Performance Rodeo — Calgary's International Festival of the Arts, Wordfest: Banff-Calgary International Writers Festival, Banff-Calgary International Writers Festival, CalgaryCalgary InternationalInternational SpokenSpoken WordWord FestivalFestival, One World Festival (, One World Festival (GlobalFestGlobalFest), and the fourth largest ), and the fourth largest CaribbeanCaribbean festival festival in the country (Carifest). In 1988, Calgary became the first Canadian city to host in the country (Carifest). In 1988, Calgary became the first Canadian city to host the the OlympicOlympic WinterWinter GamesGames, and one of the fastest , and one of the fastest longlong tracktrack speedspeed skatingskating ice rinks ice rinks in the world was built at the in the world was built at the UniversityUniversity ofof CalgaryCalgary to accommodate these Games. In to accommodate these Games. In September 2009, it hosted the 40th edition of the September 2009, it hosted the 40th edition of the WorldWorld SkillsSkills international international competition.competition.

GeographyGeographyCoordinates:Coordinates: 51°02′42″N 114°03′26″W51°02′42″N 114°03′26″W

Calgary is located at the transition zone Calgary is located at the transition zone between the between the CanadianCanadian RockiesRockies foothills and the foothills and the CanadianCanadian PrairiesPrairies, and is relatively hilly as a result. , and is relatively hilly as a result. Calgary's elevation is approximately 1,048 m (3,440 ft) Calgary's elevation is approximately 1,048 m (3,440 ft) aboveabove seasea levellevel downtown, and 1,083 m (3,550 ft) at downtown, and 1,083 m (3,550 ft) at the airport. The city proper covers a land area of the airport. The city proper covers a land area of 726.5 km2 (280.5 sq mi) (as of 2006) and as such 726.5 km2 (280.5 sq mi) (as of 2006) and as such exceeds the land area of the City of exceeds the land area of the City of TorontoToronto..

There are two major rivers that run through the city. There are two major rivers that run through the city. The The BowBow RiverRiver is the largest and flows from the west to is the largest and flows from the west to the south. The the south. The ElbowElbow RiverRiver flows northwards from the flows northwards from the south until it converges with the Bow River near south until it converges with the Bow River near downtowndowntown. Since the climate of the region is generally . Since the climate of the region is generally dry, dense vegetation occurs naturally only in the river dry, dense vegetation occurs naturally only in the river valleys, on some north-facing slopes, and within valleys, on some north-facing slopes, and within FishFish CreekCreek ProvincialProvincial ParkPark..

The city is large in physical area, consisting of an The city is large in physical area, consisting of an innerinner citycity surrounded by various communities of decreasing surrounded by various communities of decreasing density. Unlike most cities with a sizable metropolitan density. Unlike most cities with a sizable metropolitan area, most of Calgary's suburbs are incorporated into area, most of Calgary's suburbs are incorporated into the city proper, with the notable exceptions of the city the city proper, with the notable exceptions of the city of of AirdrieAirdrie to the north, to the north, CochraneCochrane to the northwest, to the northwest, StrathmoreStrathmore to the east, and the to the east, and the SpringbankSpringbank and and BearspawBearspaw acreages to the west. Though it is not acreages to the west. Though it is not technically within Calgary's metropolitan area, the technically within Calgary's metropolitan area, the town of town of OkotoksOkotoks is only a short distance to the south is only a short distance to the south and is considered a suburb as well. The and is considered a suburb as well. The CalgaryCalgary EconomicEconomic RegionRegion includes slightly more area than the includes slightly more area than the CMACMA and has a population of 1,251,600 in 2008. and has a population of 1,251,600 in 2008.

PopulationPopulation Calgary CMA is Calgary CMA is

the third most the third most diverse in diverse in Canada in terms Canada in terms of visible of visible minorities after minorities after Toronto and Toronto and Vancouver when Vancouver when considering only considering only CMAs with CMAs with population population greater than greater than 200,000. 200,000.

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Places of interestPlaces of interest Calgary'sCalgary's downtowndowntown features an eclectic mix of features an eclectic mix of

restaurants and bars, cultural venues, shopping (most restaurants and bars, cultural venues, shopping (most notably, notably, TD TD SquareSquare, , CalgaryCalgary EatonEaton CentreCentre, , StephenStephen AvenueAvenue and and EauEau ClaireClaire MarketMarket), and public squares such ), and public squares such as as OlympicOlympic PlazaPlaza. Downtown . Downtown touristtourist attractionsattractions include include the the CalgaryCalgary ZooZoo, the , the TelusTelus WorldWorld ofof ScienceScience, the , the TelusTelus ConventionConvention CentreCentre, the , the ChinatownChinatown district, the district, the GlenbowGlenbow MuseumMuseum, the , the CalgaryCalgary TowerTower, the Art Gallery of Calgary , the Art Gallery of Calgary (AGC) and the (AGC) and the EPCOR EPCOR CentreCentre forfor thethe PerformingPerforming ArtsArts. At . At 2.5 acres (1.01 2.5 acres (1.01 haha), the ), the DevonianDevonian GardensGardens is one of the is one of the largest urban indoor gardens in the world,largest urban indoor gardens in the world,[45][45] and it is and it is located on the 4th floor of TD Square (above the located on the 4th floor of TD Square (above the shopping). Located here is The Core Shopping center, shopping). Located here is The Core Shopping center, resident to many popular stores including Urban, Henry resident to many popular stores including Urban, Henry Singer, Singer, HoltHolt RenfrewRenfrew and and HarryHarry RosenRosen. The . The downtowndowntown regionregion is also home to is also home to Prince'sPrince's IslandIsland ParkPark, an urban , an urban park located just north of the Eau Claire district. Directly park located just north of the Eau Claire district. Directly to the south of downtown is to the south of downtown is MidtownMidtown and the and the BeltlineBeltline. . This area is quickly becoming one of the city's densest This area is quickly becoming one of the city's densest and most active mixed use areas. At the district's core is and most active mixed use areas. At the district's core is the popular "the popular "17 17 AvenueAvenue", which is known for its many ", which is known for its many bars and nightclubs, restaurants, and shopping venues. bars and nightclubs, restaurants, and shopping venues. Attractions on the west side of the city include the Attractions on the west side of the city include the HeritageHeritage ParkPark HistoricalHistorical VillageVillage historical park, historical park, depicting life in pre-1914 Alberta and featuring working depicting life in pre-1914 Alberta and featuring working historic vehicles such as a historic vehicles such as a steamsteam traintrain, paddlewheel boat , paddlewheel boat and electric streetcar. The village itself comprises a and electric streetcar. The village itself comprises a mixture of replica buildings and historic structures mixture of replica buildings and historic structures relocated from southern Alberta. Other major city relocated from southern Alberta. Other major city attractions include attractions include CanadaCanada OlympicOlympic ParkPark, and , and SpruceSpruce MeadowsMeadows. In addition to the many shopping areas in the . In addition to the many shopping areas in the city centre, there are a number of large suburban city centre, there are a number of large suburban shopping complexes in Calgary. Among the largest are shopping complexes in Calgary. Among the largest are ChinookChinook CentreCentre and and SouthcentreSouthcentre MallMall in the south, in the south, WestHills and Signal Hill in the southwest, South Trail WestHills and Signal Hill in the southwest, South Trail Crossing and Deerfoot Meadows in the southeast, Crossing and Deerfoot Meadows in the southeast, MarketMarket MallMall in the northwest, in the northwest, SunridgeSunridge MallMall and the and the newly built newly built CrossIronCrossIron MillsMills just north of the city limits in just north of the city limits in the northeast. the northeast.

EducationEducation In the year 2005 roughly 97,000 students attended In the year 2005 roughly 97,000 students attended K-12K-12 in in about 215 schools in about 215 schools in thethe EnglishEnglish languagelanguage public school system public school system run by the run by the CalgaryCalgary BoardBoard ofof EducationEducation. Another 43,000 attend . Another 43,000 attend about 95 schools in the separate English language about 95 schools in the separate English language CalgaryCalgary CatholicCatholic SchoolSchool DistrictDistrict board. The much smaller Francophone board. The much smaller Francophone community has their own community has their own FrenchFrench languagelanguage schoolschool boardsboards (public (public and Catholic), which are both based in Calgary, but serve a and Catholic), which are both based in Calgary, but serve a larger regional district. There are also several public larger regional district. There are also several public chartercharter schoolsschools in the city. Calgary has a number of unique schools, in the city. Calgary has a number of unique schools, including the country's first high school exclusively designed for including the country's first high school exclusively designed for Olympic-calibre athletes, the Olympic-calibre athletes, the NationalNational SportSport SchoolSchool. Calgary is . Calgary is also home to many also home to many privateprivate schoolsschools including Rundle College, including Rundle College, RundleRundle AcademyAcademy, , ClearClear WaterWater AcademyAcademy, Chinook Winds , Chinook Winds Adventist Academy, Webber Academy,Delta West Academy, Adventist Academy, Webber Academy,Delta West Academy, Masters Academy, Menno Simons Christian School, Masters Academy, Menno Simons Christian School, WestWest IslandIsland CollegeCollege and and EdgeEdge SchoolSchool..

Calgary is also home to Western Canada's largest public high Calgary is also home to Western Canada's largest public high school, school, LordLord BeaverbrookBeaverbrook HighHigh SchoolSchool, with 2241 students , with 2241 students enrolled in the 2005-2006 enrolled in the 2005-2006 schoolschool yearyear..

Calgary is the site of five major public Calgary is the site of five major public post-secondarypost-secondary institutions. The institutions. The UniversityUniversity ofof CalgaryCalgary is Calgary's primary large is Calgary's primary large degree-granting facility, and enrolled 28,807 students in 2006.degree-granting facility, and enrolled 28,807 students in 2006.

Other post-secondary institutions include Other post-secondary institutions include MountMount RoyalRoyal UniversityUniversity, with 13,000 students, granting degrees in a number , with 13,000 students, granting degrees in a number of fields; and of fields; and SAIT SAIT PolytechnicPolytechnic, with over 14,000 students, , with over 14,000 students, provides polytechnic and apprentice education, granting provides polytechnic and apprentice education, granting certificates, diplomas and applied degrees. SAIT's main campus certificates, diplomas and applied degrees. SAIT's main campus is in the Northwest quadrant, just north of downtown.is in the Northwest quadrant, just north of downtown.

Smaller post-secondary institutions include Smaller post-secondary institutions include BowBow ValleyValley CollegeCollege and and AlbertaAlberta CollegeCollege ofof ArtArt andand DesignDesign..

There are also several private liberal arts institutions including There are also several private liberal arts institutions including Ambrose University College, official Canadian university college Ambrose University College, official Canadian university college of the Church of the Nazarene and the Christian and Missionary of the Church of the Nazarene and the Christian and Missionary Alliance and St. Mary's University College. As well, Calgary is Alliance and St. Mary's University College. As well, Calgary is home to DeVry Career College's only Canadian campus.home to DeVry Career College's only Canadian campus.