Lieutenant-Governor
and Premier |
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Lieutenant-Governor:
Honourable Norman L. Kwong, CM, AOE
Premier:
Honourable Ralph Klein
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Emblems |
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Alberta has a number of Provincial
emblems, including:
Motto: |
Fortis
et Liber (Strong and Free) |
Colours: |
Blue
and Gold |
Tree: |
Lodgepole
Pine |
Flower: |
Wild Rose |
Grass: |
Rough Fescue |
Stone: |
Petrified
Wood |
Mammal: |
Big Horn
Sheep |
Fish: |
Bull Trout |
Bird: |
Great Horned
Owl |
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Government
of Alberta |
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Alberta
became a province of Canada on September 1, 1905.
Legislative authority is granted to the Legislative Assembly,
which currently has 83 elected members. The Lieutenant-Governor
and the Assembly make up the Legislature - the body responsible
for making laws in the province. The present government
is formed by the Progressive Conservative party, led by
Hon. Ralph Klein.
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Demographics |
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Health
and Education |
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Economics |
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International
Exports - 2005
Alberta's international merchandise exports rose to
$79.2 billion, an increase of 18.5% from 2004. The largest
export markets were the United States, China, Japan,
South Korea, and Mexico. These five nations accounted
for over 95% of Alberta’s exports to other countries.
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Transportation |
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Major Airlines
Alberta is currently served by Air Canada/Jazz, Air
North , Air Transat, Alaska Airlines, America West Airlines,
American Airlines, Belair Airlines, Canadian North,
Canjet, Central Mountain Air, Condor, Continental Airlines,
Delta Airlines, Excel Airways, First Air, Frontier Airlines,
Harmony Airways, Horizon Air, Integra Air, Martinair,
Monarch, My Travel, Northwest Airlines, Northwestern
Air, Peace Air, Quikair, Skyservice, Thomas Cook Schedule,
United Airlines, WestJet, & Zoom. These airlines
serve major Alberta cities, providing regular scheduled
flights to points in Canada, U.S.A., Mexico, Europe,
Asia and Australia.
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Railways –
2003
There are two main railway systems in Alberta, Canadian
Pacific Railway and Canadian National Railway, with
the length of the main railway lines at 7,184 kilometres.
Bulk commodities moved include wheat and other grains,
coal, sulphur, petrochemicals, and timber products.
Light rail networks
(2006)
Edmonton's LRT travels 12.9 km. Calgary operates on
35.7 km of track.
Highways and
Roads – 2005
In 2005 there were 30,800 km of provincial highways
and 153,500 km of local roads. |
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Telecommunications
and Technology |
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Tourism |
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The diverse landscapes
and numerous festivals around the province attract a
significant number of tourists to Alberta each year.
The National Parks in Jasper and Banff alone attract
millions of tourists. A great number of visitors come
from other parts of Canada and the U.S., as well as
countries in Europe and Asia.
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Culture
Alberta has many assorted annual festivals. Edmonton
is known as “Festival City,” especially for Heritage
Days, a celebration of multiculturalism in August, as
well as its ten-day theatre and performance art event,
the Fringe Festival. Calgary also has many celebrations,
but is best known for the Calgary Stampede in July,
which includes a rodeo, exhibits, parade and carnival.
There are various other annual events across the province,
many of them carnivals and music festivals of all types
(rock, folk, country, jazz).
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Geography |
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Alberta is situated
between 49 and 60 degrees north latitude, and 110
and 120 degrees west longitude. Covering an area of
661,848 square kilometres, it is the fourth largest
province in Canada. Land accounts for 97% of the area;
the remainder is made up of several large bodies of
water and numerous smaller lakes, rivers and streams.
The general geographical areas are prairies, forests,
parkland (mixed forests and plains), and the mountain
region.
Climate
The province is characterized by low humidity and
considerable contrasts between areas and seasons.
Average high temperatures for Edmonton and Calgary
are approximately 23ºC in July and average lows are
-16ºC in January. Annual precipitation varies across
the province, averaging from about 300 to 500 millimetres.
Alberta receives a great number of sunny days in each
season.
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Key |
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p |
Preliminary |
e |
Estimate |
No. |
Number |
Components
may not add to totals due to rounding.
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Produced
By |
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Alberta
Finance, Statistics
Room 259,Terrace Building
9515 - 107 Street
Edmonton, Alberta, CANADA
T5K 2C3
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