Living in Alberta

Alberta is uniquely blessed, with stunning natural scenery that runs from prairies and boreal forests to foothills and mountains, and an abundance of natural resources. These have helped Albertans create one of the most productive economies and highest standards of living in the world.

Today, the province is home to 3.65 million people. Its population is as diverse as its landscape, with people from all over the world making Alberta home. There is a spirit of entrepreneurship, industry and community at work throughout the province, resulting in thriving rural and urban communities and a diverse and innovative business environment, centred on energy, agriculture, forestry and tourism.

Albertans play as hard as they work, enjoying and being a part of the province's rich arts and cultural community and taking advantage of endless recreational opportunities found at the 600 lakes, 245 rivers and over 78,000 square kilometres of parks throughout Alberta.

Alberta facts

Population: 3,645,257 people live in Alberta (February 2012) — a 10.8% increase from the 2006 Census of Population. Source: Statistics Canada, 2011 Census

Capital city: Edmonton

Currency: Canadian dollar

Weather:Current weather in Alberta

Telephone area codes: 780 in the northern part of the province, 403 in the south, 587 across the province

Proclaimed a province: September 1, 1905

Time zone: Mountain Time (two hours behind Toronto or New York; one hour ahead of Vancouver, Seattle or Los Angeles; seven hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT); and six hours behind GMT during Daylight Savings Time)