Edmonton is the only city in Canada typically considered a part of the American Midwest. This Canadian city is located in Alberta, North of Montana and North Dakota, and south of Saskatchewan. Edmonton is also an isolated exurb surrounded by wilderness with no urban sprawl on its outskirts.
Edmonton, Alberta’s provincial capital and 19th largest city in Canada, is located in the middle of the valley that holds the North Saskatchewan River. Established by British soldiers more than 200 years ago, this city is now a major center for oil production – it also has modern highrises and a bustling downtown area. The West Edmonton Mall near downtown contains over 800 stores, 100 restaurants, an amusement park, an ice rink, 27 movie theaters, and more. One of Alberta’s oldest buildings is on the other side of downtown: the delicate Alberta Legislature, built-in 1913. This structure overlooks Doukhobor Peace Park to the south of the legislature, designed to look like Fort Edmonton in 1885. The Royal Alberta Museum on Queens Street boasts extensive collections of natural history; to the northwest of downtown lies Telus World of Science – with IMAX theatre, Observatory, and Star Theatre.
Edmonton, Alberta, is a city incorporated in 1904 with 932,546 people. As the capital of Alberta, Edmonton is near the province’s geographical center on the North Saskatchewan River. Edmonton is also known as The Gateway to the North because it has a lot of trade with faraway places. Edmonton is the capital of Alberta and is on the North Saskatchewan River. Alberta’s central region surrounds Edmonton, and the city anchors the north end of the “Calgary–Edmonton Corridor.”
By 2021, the population of Edmonton was 1.01 million. Including 1.4 million people in the metropolitan area, it had become the 6th largest city and 10th largest metropolitan area in Canada. Edmonton has had a history of massive growth, with the city absorbing five suburbs and annexing 8,260 hectares. Edmonton is known as the “Gateway to the North” because it has historically acted as a staging point for oil sand projects and diamond mining.
Edmonton is Canada’s Festival City. It attracts tourists who attend the festivals year-round. Edmonton is home to the largest mall in North America and the second-largest living history museum in the world.
Google maps Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta. It is located on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River in the central part of the province at an elevation of 671 meters, where the prairies are home to prime agricultural land.
Geography
Edmonton is situated on the North Saskatchewan River, 671 m (2,201 ft). It is one of the northernmost cities in North America, with a metropolitan population of over 1 million. It possesses a similar latitude to Hamburg (Germany), Dublin (Ireland), Manchester (United Kingdom), and Magnitogorsk (Russia). Edmonton’s southern vicinity is roughly 50 miles from Alberta’s geographical center.
The North Saskatchewan River flows from Jasper National Park and into the city of Edmonton. It sometimes floods, most notably in 1915. The river empties via the Saskatchewan River, Lake Winnipeg, and Nelson River. This water is fed by many creeks, such as Mill Creek, Whitemud Creek, and Blackmud Creek.
Edmonton is in an ecologic zone between the Canadian prairies and the Canadian boreal forests. Farms and towns have carved down forests near Edmonton.
Climate
Edmonton’s climate comprises four seasons, with extreme chills in the winter and heat in the summer.
From June to September, it’s summer in Edmonton. Summers are mild, with rainfall occurring mainly during thunderstorms. In contrast, winters are cold and snowy, with periods of warmer weather. With four seasons and mild temperatures, Edmonton has a long growing season. Also, from May 9 until September 22, there are 17 hours and three minutes of daylight.
Edmonton is noted for its average seasonal temperatures with cold winters, milder weather, and higher average yearly temperatures in the summer. On average, Edmonton’s temperature ranges from a low of -10.4°C in January to a high of 17.7°C in July, averaging at 23.1°c during the summertime and -14.8°c during winter.
Edmonton’s average high temperature is about to 86 degrees Fahrenheit during four or five afternoons between late April and mid-September and below -20 degrees Fahrenheit for 24.6 days each winter. The highest recorded temperature was 37.2 degrees Celsius on June 29, 1937, and on July 2, 2013, a record-high humidex of 44 was recorded due to the humidity on the day. The lowest recorded Edmonton temperature was -49.4 degrees Celsius on January 19 and 21, 1886.
Edmonton has a dry climate, getting an average of 455.7 mm (17.94 in) of precipitation, with 347.8 mm (13.69 in) being rain and 111.2 mm (4.38 in) of the mountain snowpack melting into water annually. July is the wettest month, tallying 93.8 mm (3.69 In) on average, yet Edmonton still receives dry spells with no rain for months and some severe rainstorms, including 114 mm (4.49 In).
Edmonton has seen an increase in extreme temperatures over the last few years. The city has set both cold and hot records, with the warmest winter on record, 53 days at or above freezing, and the summer of 2006 recorded as having 20 days above 29 °C (84 °F).
A deadly thunderstorm began in Edmonton, Alberta, on July 11, 2004. This event was destructive, with hail and heavy rain that caused significant property damage. The storm damaged the West Edmonton Mall, which had to be evacuated after a small section of the roof collapsed from the influx of water from the storm.
Tornadoes are not uncommon in Edmonton. There have been 12 recorded between 1890 and 1989 and eight since 1990. However, one tornado in 1987 stands out from the rest because it was unusually intense, prolonged, and caused a lot of damage. To some people, this tornado is known as Black Friday, but it is mainly known as a day that showed what Edmontonians were made of.
Did you know?
Edmonton is a vibrant city in the heart of the wilderness. As the largest northernmost metropolis, Edmonton also serves as an excellent destination to experience what 18 hours of sunlight feels like in summer or how the first snowfall transforms Edmonton in winter. No matter the season, Edmonton is made for exploring.
- Edmonton is a city in the province of Alberta, Canada. It is located on the North Saskatchewan River, about 110 km east of Calgary, and close to the foothills of the Canadian Rockies.
- Edmonton has always been a natural settlement for its ample water, timber, and wildlife.
- Europeans entered the western plains in the 18th century. The settlement followed in 1795 when two companies, the HBC and North West Company, built the first of a series of posts near present-day Fort Saskatchewan.
- In the growth process, Edmonton’s downtown area was continuously demolished and rebuilt in the 1950s. Fortunately, there is an exception to this trend: Strathcona. This downtown community has been preserved as a historic conservation area, while Edmonton’s central area has been demolished and rebuilt with highrise towers since the 1950s.
- Edmonton is at the center of Canada’s sixth-largest CMA. The CMA includes Edmonton and 34 other municipalities.
- Alberta’s capital and largest city, Edmonton, is one of North America’s fastest-growing cities.
- It’s also one of the youngest, with more than half its population under 30 years old.
- The river valley in Edmonton, the city’s most spectacular natural feature, profoundly influenced its development. It formed both a barrier and a magnificent asset for the city. High-rise apartments and select residential areas compete along both banks to have the best views of the river, while parks, golf courses, and trails that stretch through the valley are ideal for modern architecture. The valley has also become Alberta’s most significant industrial region within 50 years.
- It’s also home to many festivals, including K-Days, the Klondike Days Festival, and the largest mall in Canada – West Edmonton Mall.
Accommodation in Edmonton
When it comes to booking accommodations in Edmonton, there are a few things to keep in mind. First and foremost, it’s important to book early. Accommodations fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons. If you wait too long to book, you may end up paying more or not being able to find a room at all. Another thing to keep in mind is that various accommodations are available. There are hotels, motels, inns, and even vacation rentals. You’ll need to decide what accommodation best suits your needs and budget. Once you’ve done that, you can search for specific accommodations that meet your criteria. When searching for accommodations, be sure to read reviews from other travelers. This will give you a good idea of what to expect from each property. When you’ve found a few potential options, reach out to the property owner or manager and make a reservation.
Further readings: Edmonton Wikipedia, Canada driving directions