Edmonton, Alberta Facts & Worksheets

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Edmonton is a lively metropolitan hub in the wilderness, the largest and northernmost metropolis, and the capital of Alberta, Canada. Called the “Gateway to the North,” its location is advantageous on an economic boundary between the fertile farmlands of central Alberta and a large, resource-abundant northern region.

See the fact file below for more information about Edmonton, or you can download our 26-page Edmonton worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

HISTORY OF EDMONTON

• Edmonton, similar to several locations in North America, had been populated for millennia by First Nations communities. The phrase First Nations refers to Indigenous peoples in Canada who are not Inuit or Métis.
• European traders from the North West Company (NWC) founded Fort Augustus north of Edmonton in 1795. The Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC), a rival of the North West Company in the North American fur trade, constructed Edmonton House (eventually Fort Edmonton) next to Fort Augustus one year later.
• In 1802, the forts were relocated 30 kilometers south to the Rossdale Flats, situated south of the current downtown area of Edmonton. 
• The forts were temporarily relocated 80 kilometers north before returning to the Rossdale Flats site in 1813. After merging the HBC and NWC in 1821, the name Fort Augustus was discontinued, and operations were consolidated under Fort Edmonton. The fort was the main base for the Hudson’s Bay Company fur trading activities in the North Saskatchewan District of Rupert’s Land.
• The location where the Alberta Legislature Building now stands was chosen as the site for the future Fort Edmonton. 
• The fur trade’s demise in the 1860s resulted in the abandonment of numerous buildings at Fort Edmonton in the subsequent decades. The fort was demolished in 1915.
• The initial settlement beyond the fort was established in the 1870s by pioneering farmers who resided in simple log huts along the river. 
• These farms were the basis for the 1882 property division into River lots. The area known as 1885 Street in Fort Edmonton Park depicts the early hamlet of Edmonton, founded in 1894. 
• By 1913, the Hudson’s Bay Company’s reserve in much of the current downtown area, which was given in 1870, had been completely sold off due to the peak of World War I land price inflation.
• The Calgary and Edmonton Railway was finished in 1891, although it did not reach Edmonton’s north shore of the river. Strathcona was established at the railhead on the south shore instead and incorporated as a town in 1899. 
• Edmonton acquired its inaugural railway in 1903 by constructing the Edmonton, Yukon, and Pacific Railway, which connected Strathcona across the Low-Level Bridge. Edmonton was established as a city in 1904 and soon became the capital of Alberta, with a population of only 5,000 people. 
• Edmonton established a direct railway link to Winnipeg in 1905 when the Canadian Northern Railway arrived. The railway company extended the route to Vancouver in 1915.
• The significant number of volunteers joining the army during the war led to a decrease in the population. 
• The city saw gradual demographic and economic growth in the 1920s and 1930s, which accelerated during and after World War II.
• Edmonton experienced significant expansion during World War II and developed a unique identity. It served as a hub for military operations in the north, such as the building of the Alaska Highway, and later became a hub for the petroleum sector. 
• It has since emerged as Canada’s primary hub for oil refining and the petrochemical industry, and by 1981, it ranked as Canada’s fifth-largest city.

GEOGRAPHY OF EDMONTON

• Edmonton is situated close to the geographic center of the province at an elevation of 668 meters (2,192 feet). Edmonton is divided by the North Saskatchewan River, which begins in the Columbia Icefield in Jasper National Park. 
• It flows into Lake Winnipeg through the Saskatchewan River and Hudson Bay through the Nelson River. The river flows in a southwest-to-northeast direction through the city and is supplied by various creeks, including Mill Creek and Whitemud Creek. This results in multiple ravines, several of which have integrated into the city’s park system. 
• Edmonton is located at the interface between prairie to the south and boreal forest to the north, in a region called aspen parkland. Agricultural, oil, and natural gas exploration has significantly changed the aspen parkland in and around Edmonton.
• Edmonton’s river valley is the longest continuous urban parkland in North America, and Edmonton boasts the most parks per person compared to any other Canadian city. 
• The river valley is 22 times bigger than Central Park in New York City.
• Edmonton boasts many healthy American Elm trees, which have not been affected by Dutch Elm disease like many trees in eastern North America. Jack Pine, Lodgepole Pine, White Spruce, White Birch, Aspen, Green Ash, Basswood, various poplars and willows, and Manitoba Maple are plentiful, while Bur Oak is gaining popularity.

CLIMATE OF EDMONTON

• Edmonton experiences a northern continental climate with significant seasonal temperature variations. However, its winters are less severe than Regina and Winnipeg, situated at lower latitudes. Summer usually spans from late June to late August, with humidity seldom reaching intolerable levels. 
• Winter spans from November to March and exhibits significant variation in duration and intensity. Spring and autumn are brief and characterized by considerable fluctuations. July has the most rainfall, whereas October and November have the lowest.

METROPOLITAN REGION

• The Edmonton Metropolitan Region (EMR), sometimes known as Greater Edmonton or Metro Edmonton, is a collection of municipalities centered around Edmonton.
• The EMR is typically considered the same as the Edmonton census metropolitan area (CMA) as defined by Statistics Canada. 
• The provincial government created the Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board (EMRB) to facilitate regional governance and collaboration in planning among the City of Edmonton and its neighboring municipalities.
• The EMR is a significant access point to northern Alberta and the Canadian North, especially for various enterprises such as airlines and oil/natural gas exploration firms.
• The EMR is in central Alberta at the northern tip of the Calgary-Edmonton Corridor. It is the northernmost metropolitan area in Canada and North America, with a population above one million. 
• The EMRB includes the following subdivisions:
  • There are six cities: Beaumont, Edmonton, Fort Saskatchewan, Leduc, St. Albert, and Spruce Grove. One specialized municipality, Strathcona County, contains the Sherwood Park urban service area.
  • There are three municipal districts: Leduc County, Parkland County, and Sturgeon County, and three towns: Devon, Morinville, and Stony Plain.

ARTS AND CULTURE

• Several events happen in the downtown Arts District center around Churchill Square, named after the former United Kingdom Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill. The university sector and Whyte Avenue on the south side of the river provide theaters, symphony halls, and other live music venues.

TRANSPORTATION

• Edmonton has been a significant center in Western Canada’s transportation network since the 1830s. It plays a crucial role in the transcontinental freight system of the Canadian National rail system. It connects considerably to the Canadian Pacific Railway system and VIA Rail as a contemporary rail hub. 
• As a hub for road transportation, it has held tremendous importance in Western Canada as it has sat at the junction of the Yellowhead Highway and Alberta’s Highway 2, now known as the Queen Elizabeth II Highway, since 2005. This highway runs south to Calgary and the United States and north to the Alaska Highway. 
• Edmonton has a strong influence over the transportation network for various petroleum products due to its proximity to the Leduc, Redwater, and Pembina oil fields. During the 1940s and 1950s, these oil fields were the most significant in Alberta.
• Currently, the majority of individuals navigate the city using their private vehicles. However, a freeway system is slowly being developed. The last section of Anthony Henday Drive, a wide Edmonton Ring Road roadway, was completed in 2016. The expressway surrounds the outskirts of Edmonton and links the Trans-Canada Highway with the Queen Elizabeth II Highway.

COMMUNICATIONS

• Edmonton has two major publications, the Edmonton Journal and the Edmonton Sun. The city boasts a small yet varied publishing sector, comprising numerous book publishers and a range of community and trade magazines.

Edmonton, Alberta Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Edmonton across 26 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Edmonton. Called the “Gateway to the North,” its location is advantageous on an economic boundary between the fertile farmlands of central Alberta and a large, resource-abundant northern region.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

1. Edmonton, Alberta Facts
2. All About Edmonton
3. Spot Quizz
4. Odd One Out
5. Life in Edmonton
6. Gateway to the North
7. True Representation
8. Edmonton in a Symbol
9. Travel Guide
10. Pick a Post
11. Edmonton Resident

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Edmonton famous for?

Edmonton, the capital city of Alberta, Canada, is renowned for several things. One of its most notable features is West Edmonton Mall, one of the largest shopping malls in the world. Additionally, Edmonton is known for its vibrant arts and cultural scene, highlighted by events such as the Edmonton Fringe Festival and the Edmonton Folk Music Festival. The city also boasts numerous parks and outdoor recreational opportunities, including the North Saskatchewan River Valley, which is one of the largest urban park systems in North America.

What is the climate like in Edmonton?

Edmonton experiences a humid continental climate characterized by four distinct seasons. Summers tend to be warm with temperatures averaging around 20-25°C (68-77°F), while winters are cold with temperatures often dropping below freezing, averaging around -10 to -20°C (14 to -4°F). Edmonton receives moderate precipitation throughout the year, with the majority falling as rain during the summer months and as snow during the winter.

What are some popular attractions in Edmonton?

Besides West Edmonton Mall, other popular attractions in Edmonton include the Royal Alberta Museum, which showcases the province’s natural and cultural history, and the Muttart Conservatory, featuring four glass pyramids housing botanical gardens from different climates around the world. Visitors also enjoy exploring the Alberta Legislature Building, known for its stunning architecture and free guided tours. Fort Edmonton Park offers a glimpse into the city’s past with its living history museum, while the Telus World of Science provides interactive exhibits on science and technology.

What is the economy like in Edmonton?

Edmonton’s economy is diverse, with key sectors including oil and gas, manufacturing, healthcare, education, and technology. The city serves as a hub for the petroleum industry due to its proximity to the oil sands in northern Alberta. Additionally, Edmonton is home to several major universities and research institutions, contributing to a robust healthcare and education sector. The government, finance, and retail industries also play significant roles in the city’s economy.

What events or festivals take place in Edmonton?

Edmonton hosts numerous events and festivals throughout the year. In addition to the Edmonton Fringe Festival and the Edmonton Folk Music Festival mentioned earlier, other popular events include the Edmonton International Street Performers Festival, K-Days (formerly known as Klondike Days), and Ice on Whyte, a winter festival celebrating ice carving and winter sports. The Edmonton International Film Festival and the Edmonton International Jazz Festival also draw crowds of enthusiasts annually.

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Link will appear as Edmonton, Alberta Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, April 10, 2024