Introduction

Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta. It's an operating base for trips through the North Saskatchewan River Valley, with over a hundred kilometers of scenic routes. If you're not a fanatic of outdoor sports: Edmonton also houses the largest shopping mall of North America; there are many theaters and every year the city organizes numerous events and festivals.

Population

The city has over 1.1 million inhabitants which makes it the northernmost city with over a million inhabitants in North America.

Location

Edmonton is located in the southwest of Canada at an altitude of 668 meters, along both banks of the North Saskatchewan River. Edmonton's surroundings are hilly with deep ravines. The Canadian Rocky Mountains lie 220 kilometers southwest of the city.

Economy

Edmonton is the economic center of the province of Alberta with an emphasis on petrol and gas industry and (financial) services. Edmonton, however, also houses IT companies and other high-tech companies (mainly biotechnology). Tourism also plays an important role: visitors are attracted by the beautiful River Valley and the many cultural events.

Airports

Edmonton International Airport is situated 30 kilometers south of the city center in Leduc County. The airport is easily reachable by rental car. From Edmonton's center you take the Gateway Blvd and then the Queen Elizabeth II Highway.

Public Transport

Edmonton has excellent public bus transport. There's also a light-rail line from Clareview Station in the northeast of town to Century Park Station, via the campus of the University of Alberta.

Traffic and Parking

Most streets in Edmonton follow a clear pattern: avenues run from east to west; streets run from north to south. There are some exceptions but, in general, you'll have no problem finding your way around. It's also not difficult to find a parking place for your rental car: you can park in the street or in one of the parking garages of which the locations are signposted.

Hotels

The city offers a good choice of accommodations. Midrange hotels are mainly located in the city center while budget options can be found in the southern part of the city and east of the center. Luxury accommodations can be found at the nicest locations, scattered around the city.

External Sources

For more information about Edmonton, we recommend Google and the following sources:

• Wikipedia, Edmonton
• Official website Edmonton
• Tourist Information Edmonton