Bordered By British Columbia, Northwest Territories, Saskatchewan

Area 255,285 sq mi
Greatest Distance East-West 400 mi
Greatest Distance North-South 760 mi
Highest Point Mount Columbia; 12,294 ft above sea level
Lowest Point along the Slave River; 557 ft above sea level

Population (2011 census) 3,645,257
Largest Cities Calgary, Edmonton, Lethbridge, Red Deer, Grand Prairie, Medicine Hat, Wood Buffalo

Capital Edmonton

Principal Industries trade services, health care, construction, science and technology, forestry, oil and gas
Manufacturing Products petroleum and coal products, food and beverages, chemicals and chemical products
Agricultural Products barley, hay, oats, rapeseed, wheat; beef cattle, hogs
Mineral Resources coal, natural gas, petroleum, sand and gravel, sulfur

First Explored By Anthony Henday, in 1754
First Permanent European Settlement trading post established by Peter Pond near Lake Athabasca, 1778
Date Entered Confederation September 1, 1905

Origin of Name The name of the province dates from 1882, when the Canadian government divided the region between Manitoba and British Columbia into four territorial districts -- Alberta, Assiniboia, Athabaska, and Saskatchewan. The Alberta district was named for Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, a daughter of Queen Victoria and the wife of the Canadian Governor-General.
Coat of Arms The Cross of St. George at the top symbolizes Alberta's historic association with Great Britain. The mountains and foothills in the center stand for the Canadian Rockies. The field of wheat at the bottom represents Alberta's principal food crop. The coat of arms was adopted in 1907.
Flower wild rose
Bird great horned owl
Fish bull trout
Gem ammolite
Mammal bighorn sheep
Tree lodgepole pine
Motto "Strong and Free"

Manitoba
Queen Victoria
Great Horned Owl

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