Alberta

Alberta is a province in western Canada. It is bordered by British Columbia to the west, Saskatchewan to the east, the Northwest Territories to the north, and the U.S. state of Montana to the south. The capital is Edmonton, and the largest city is Calgary. Alberta's geography ranges from the prairie lowlands in the central and southern areas to the Rocky Mountains and foothills in the west, with boreal forest in the north. Major rivers include the Bow and North Saskatchewan, and the province contains notable protected areas and national parks such as Banff and Jasper.

The economy is resource-based, with oil and natural gas production, particularly in the oil sands near Fort McMurray, along with agriculture, forestry, and growing sectors in technology and services. The population is about 4.6 million (as of the early 2020s), concentrated in Calgary and Edmonton, with growing immigrant and Indigenous communities.

Alberta has a parliamentary democracy within the Canadian federation. It has a unicameral Legislative Assembly; the premier is the head of government and the lieutenant governor represents the monarch. The province operates under provincial jurisdiction in areas such as education, healthcare, and natural resources. Alberta's climate is continental, with cold winters and warm summers, and arid to semi-arid conditions in much of the south; Chinook winds can produce rapid warm-ups.

Cultural life includes festivals such as the Calgary Stampede and traditions rooted in ranching, the oil industry, and outdoor recreation. Notable institutions include the University of Alberta in Edmonton and the University of Calgary in Calgary. The province plays a significant role in Canada’s energy sector and regional economy, and is a major destination for tourism and outdoor activities in the Rockies.