Calgary is the largest city in the province of Alberta and a key economic and cultural centre in western Canada. Located near the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, it is known for its energy sector, stunning landscapes, and the world-famous Calgary Stampede.
Quick Facts
- Province: Alberta
- Population: Over 1.4 million (metro area)
- Official Language: English
- Time Zone: Mountain Time Zone (MT)
- Demonym: Calgarian
History
Originally inhabited by Indigenous peoples such as the Blackfoot and Stoney Nakoda, the area became a North West Mounted Police outpost (Fort Calgary) in 1875. Calgary grew rapidly with the arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1883 and the discovery of oil in the early 20th century.
Economy
Calgary is often referred to as the "energy capital of Canada." Key economic sectors include:
- Oil and gas
- Financial services
- Agriculture and agribusiness
- Technology and clean energy
- Transportation and logistics
The city has one of the highest concentrations of head offices per capita in Canada.
Major Attractions
- Calgary Stampede – a world-famous rodeo and festival
- Calgary Tower
- Glenbow Museum
- Calgary Zoo
- Heritage Park Historical Village
- Canada Olympic Park (site of the 1988 Winter Olympics)
Education
Post-secondary institutions include:
- University of Calgary
- Mount Royal University
- SAIT Polytechnic (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology)
- Bow Valley College
Neighborhoods
- Downtown Calgary
- Beltline
- Kensington
- Inglewood
- Bridgeland
- Eau Claire
- Varsity
Transit and Travel
Calgary Transit operates buses and the CTrain light rail system. Calgary International Airport (YYC) is a major hub for domestic and international flights.
Sports and Events
Calgary is home to:
- Calgary Flames (NHL)
- Calgary Stampeders (CFL)
- Calgary Roughnecks (NLL)
The city also hosts cultural events like Sled Island, Calgary Folk Music Festival, and GlobalFest.
Did You Know?
- Calgary was the first Canadian city to host the Winter Olympics (1988).
- The city has more hours of sunshine than any other major Canadian city — over 2,300 per year.
- It ranks consistently as one of Canada’s cleanest cities.