Alberta, Canada

Canada Project
Grade 6
Presented To Mr. Fierro/Mr. Taylor
Yanni Pang
February 17, 2011

Introduction

Alberta is the fourth largest province in Canada. This paper will cover the following

topics: History, Geography, Language, Agriculture products, Mineral resources, Traditions,

Culture of the people, and Government.

History

Alberta was originally part of the land granted to the Hudson's Bay Company by King

Charles II in 1670. The first European reached present-day Alberta was Anthony Hendon of the

Hudson's Bay Company. The first people in Alberta were Paleo-Indians, who arrived about ten

thousand years ago. Most immigrants came from England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales in the

mid 1700. The land remained under the control of the Hudson's Bay Company until 1870. Then

it was sold to Canada. Alberta became a province on September 1, 1905. Alberta is named after

Princess Louise Caroline Alberta. The province has been very peaceful and free even to today.

Geography and Language

The area of Alberta is 661,848 square km (255,541 square miles). It is also one of the

three prairie provinces in Canada. Alberta's population is estimated to be 3,724,832. Since,

Alberta is near the North, it is very cold. The people work hard in cold weather to keep their

houses warm and their families going.

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The main language in Alberta is English. About two percent of the population of Alberta

speaks both French and English, which is called Francophone. Alberta is the second largest

province that speaks French and English. People who speak only French live in the central and

northwestern regions of Alberta. In this way, they all live and work together better.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Alberta has many natural resources such as crude oil, natural gas, and coal. It is the main

producer of natural gas in Canada. Alberta sells the oil, natural gas to other places in Canada

moreover to other countries. In recent years, because of the increasing oil prices, Alberta’s

economy has been booming. This attracts more and more people to go there to work. Because of

this, Alberta is the most important province in Canada.

Coal was first mined near Lethbridge in 1872. Alberta is the main producer of coal. Its

coal contains less sulfur, so the coal would burn cleaner. They are sold to other countries in the

world.

Beef production in Alberta is very important. About 50% of Canada’s beef comes from

Alberta. Wheat and Canola are also important to its economy. The crops are exported the crops to

other countries.

Traditions and Culture

Because of the winter weather, people tend to have many festivals and parties in the

summer. Since Alberta is mainly in mining and agricultural business, people work very hard and

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usually outdoors, as a result their activities require strength and revolve around these aspects.

One example is the Calgary Stampede, which includes activities such as Bull riding, barrel

racing, steer wrestling, tie down roping, saddle bronc and bareback riding. It is dubbed “The

Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.” Another example is the Edmonton Fringe Festival which is a

show of theater production. All these attract people from around the world to go there.

Government

The government of Alberta is organized as a parliamentary democracy with one chamber.

The Legislative Assembly consists of eighty-three members. Since the Queen of the United

Kingdom is officially the head of state, the country is run by a Premier not a governor.

Conclusion

Alberta is a very interesting Province. Because of its abundant natural resources, Alberta

is very important economically for Canada.