Key Facts About Edmonton, the Capital of Alberta

Edmonton is the capital city of the province of Alberta, Canada. Sometimes called Canada's Gateway to the North, Edmonton is the farthest north of Canada's large cities and has important road, rail and air transportation links.

About Edmonton, Alberta

From its beginnings as a Hudson's Bay Company fur trading fort, Edmonton has evolved into a city with a wide range of cultural, sporting and tourist attractions, and is the host of more than two dozen festivals each year. Most of Edmonton's population works in the service and trade industries, as well as in the municipal, provincial and federal governments.

Location of Edmonton

Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River, near the center of the province of Alberta. You can see more about the city in these maps of Edmonton. It is the northernmost large city in Canada and, therefore, the northernmost city in North America.

Area

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Capital Cities of Canada

By Susan Munroe

Edmonton is 685.25 sq. km (264.58 sq. miles), according to Statistics Canada.

Population

As of the 2016 Census, Edmonton's population was 932,546 people, making it the second-largest city in Alberta, after Calgary. It is the fifth-largest city in Canada.

More Edmonton City Facts

Edmonton was incorporated as a town in 1892 and as a city in 1904. Edmonton became the capital city of Alberta in 1905.

Government of City of Edmonton

Edmonton municipal elections are held every three years on the third Monday in October. The last Edmonton municipal election was held on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016, when Don Iveson was re-elected as mayor. The city council of Edmonton, Alberta is made up of 13 elected representatives: one mayor and 12 city councilors.

Edmonton Economy

Edmonton is a hub for the oil and gas industry (hence the name of its National Hockey League team, the Oilers). It is also well-regarded for its research and technology industries.

Edmonton Attractions

Major attractions in Edmonton include West Edmonton Mall (the largest mall in North America), Fort Edmonton Park, the Alberta Legislature, the Royal Alberta Museum, Devonian Botanic Garden and the Trans Canada Trail. There are also several sports arenas, including Commonwealth Stadium, Clarke Stadium and Rogers Place.

Edmonton Weather

Edmonton has a fairly dry climate, with warm summers and cold winters. Summers in Edmonton are hot and sunny. Although July is the month with the most rain, showers and thunderstorms are usually short. July and August have the warmest temperatures, with highs around 75 F (24 C). Summer days in June and July in Edmonton bring 17 hours of daylight.

Winters in Edmonton are less severe than in many other Canadian cities, with low humidity and less snow. Although the winter temperature can dip to -40 C/F, the cold spells last only a few days and usually come with sunshine. January is the coldest month in Edmonton, and the wind chill can make it feel much colder.