Edmonton is the capital city of the province of Alberta and the second-largest city in the province. Known for its expansive river valley, thriving arts scene, and role in Canada's energy economy, Edmonton is often called “Canada’s Festival City.”
Quick Facts
- Province: Alberta
- Population: Over 1.1 million (metro area: 1.5 million)
- Official Language: English
- Time Zone: Mountain Time Zone (MT)
- Demonym: Edmontonian
History
The region was originally home to Indigenous peoples, including the Cree and Métis. Fort Edmonton was established in 1795 by the Hudson's Bay Company as a fur trading post.
Edmonton became Alberta’s capital in 1905 and grew rapidly with the 20th-century oil boom, solidifying its importance in Canada’s resource economy.
Economy
Edmonton is a major hub for:
- Oil and gas services
- Public sector employment (government and education)
- Health care and life sciences
- Manufacturing and logistics
- Technology and artificial intelligence (growing sector)
Major Attractions
- West Edmonton Mall – once the largest mall in the world
- Alberta Legislature Building
- Royal Alberta Museum
- Art Gallery of Alberta
- Fort Edmonton Park
- Muttart Conservatory
- Elk Island National Park (nearby)
Festivals and Culture
Known as “Canada’s Festival City,” Edmonton hosts:
- Edmonton International Fringe Festival (2nd largest in the world)
- Edmonton Folk Music Festival
- K-Days
- Ice on Whyte
- Cariwest Caribbean Arts Festival
Education
- University of Alberta (one of Canada’s top research universities)
- MacEwan University
- NAIT (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology)
- Concordia University of Edmonton
Neighborhoods
- Downtown and Ice District
- Old Strathcona and Whyte Avenue
- Glenora
- Riverdale
- Westmount
- Mill Woods
Transportation
Edmonton Transit Service (ETS) operates buses and LRT lines. Edmonton International Airport (YEG) connects the city to destinations across Canada and beyond.
Did You Know?
- Edmonton’s river valley park system is the largest stretch of urban parkland in North America.
- The city is a gateway to northern Alberta and the oil sands region.
- It experiences long summer days and very cold winters — a true northern climate.