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DestinationsOther |
Edmonton AlbertaEdmonton, the capital of Alberta, is the second largest city in the province. Like its southern counterpart, Calgary, Edmonton plays host to many annual events and festivals, earning it the nickname of “Festival City”. Edmonton is a major center for the provincial oil industry and the largest shopping mall in North America. HISTORY The Hudson’s Bay Company came to the Edmonton area in the mid 1700s, seeking to establish trade with First Nations tribes. They established a trading post and by the end of the century Fort Edmonton became the major trading post in the region. The area attracted settlers with it’s serene beauty and rich agricultural potential, and the population grew. The seeds of the tourism industry were planted in the late 1800s, when Edmonton became a rest stop for those looking to strike it rich during the Klondike Gold Rush of the 1890s. By the population continued to grow and by the onset of the 20th century there were just over 8,000 residents calling Edmonton home. The result was good for the city, which became the capital of Alberta in 1905. Growth continued, cementing Edmonton’s status as a commercial and agricultural center. This trend slowed as able bodied men went off to fight during the First World War. This situation would not change much until the Second World War, when Edmonton took part in the construction of the Alaska Highway. Following the war, when oil was discovered near the city, Edmonton saw the beginning of a boom. More oil was found here than in other areas of Alberta, and Festival City claimed its second title, that of the provincial oil industry leader, and eventually the oil capital of Canada. Edmonton suffered when oil prices dropped off in the early 1980s, but the population had reached more than 500,000 residents and the city remained determined to build a bright future. The construction of the West Edmonton Mall became the pinnacle of this goal. With a cost of just over one billion dollars, the mall was designed to be the largest shopping complex in the world, a title it would hold for more than two decades. Among its many proud features are nearly 1,000 stores, a submarine ride, a year round indoor skating rink, an amusement park and the largest indoor water park (complete with the largest wave pool and waterslides, a raft slide and a bungee platform) in North America. In 2004 the mall was inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records. Edmonton remains the center of the oil industry in Alberta, but in recent years has seen much economic diversity, notably in real estate and technology. Among the many major corporations with a base in Edmonton include IBM, Dell computers and General Electric. It has also become a driving force in national education. There are plenty of things to see and do in Edmonton. Activities | Sights | Shopping | Events | Business ACCOMMODATIONS Find accommodations in Edmonton: Lodgings RESTAURANTS Discover Edmonton dining: Restaurants 
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