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Edmonton, Alberta--Capital of Wild Rose Country

Canada is a large and geographically diverse country. There are two coasts--the Atlantic and the Pacific. There is rough and wild Arctic tundra. There are majestic mountains rising above the earth. Then, there are also the flat, rolling prairies that cover 3 entire provinces. Alberta is one of these provinces and Edmonton is her capital.

Alberta is one province west of the coastal province of British Columbia. Alberta is often known as Wild Rose Country. It's a name that Albertans proudly display on their automobile license plates. Early on its history and even now, Alberta is a province with rich farmland. The land is ideal for farming. There is a lot of snow in the winter and plenty of sunshine in the summer. Wheat and cattle are the most common farms found in the province. Albertans say, "If it's not Alberta beef, it's not beef at all." Alberta is also blessed to share part of the Rocky Mountain range. Small towns like Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper are known worldwide for their rugged beauty. Alberta is also a very rich province because of its oil reserves. Alberta is Canada's major producer of petroleum. The province is so rich that it does not have a sales tax like all the other Canadian provinces.

My favourite part about Alberta is the wide open skies. Sometimes Alberta can also be called Big Sky Country. Because the land is so flat and most buildings so low, you can see the sky stretch above you from horizon to horizon. On a sunny day, the sky is beautiful blue colour that can inspire your heart.

Edmonton is situated in the geographic centre of Alberta. It is the gateway to the north. The city has a population over 900,000. This makes Edmonton the 5th largest city in Canada by population. It is in fact the largest city in Canada by land area. It is the economic centre of Northern Alberta and reaps benefits from surrounding farms, local oil and gas companies, and power companies.

Edmonton is built around the North Saskatchwan River. Along the river is a lush valley. The valley is the home of kilometres and kilometres of park. In fact, Edmonton has the largest urban park system in all of North America. Beyond the river, the rest of the city is mostly flat. However, many ravines can be found around the city. In and around these ravines are also more parks. Some houses near the edge of the city are built near these ravines and give residents a part of the wilderness in their own backyard. You could step out of your house and maybe see a moose or beaver.

Another claim to fame in Edmonton is West Edmonton Mall. It is the world's largest shopping centre. Inside the mall, you can shop at well-known Canadian department stores like the Hudson's Bay Company, Sears, Zellers, and London Drugs. If you don't want to shop, then you can play. The mall has an indoor amusement park with one very large and very scary roller coaster called the Mind Bender. If you don't like the rides, then you can go to the indoor waterpark. It has a wave pool, dozens of waterslides, a artificial beach, and even bungee jumping. Because Edmonton is famous for being a cold city, there is an indoor skating rink in the middle of the mall. Ice skating, anyone? There are also dolphin shows and underwater submarine tours. If that wasn't enough, you can go to the newly-opened super-cinema called Silver City. I guarantee that you will be tired after only a few hours in West Edmonton Mall.

Other places of interest include Fort Edmonton Park which is the original fort that European fur traders set up hundreds of years ago before the city existed. There is the Alberta Legislature, or government buildings. It is a beautiful old-style building sitting on the north side of the river. There is the Provinical Museum of Alberta that shows artifacts from Edmonton and around the world. The Muttart Conservatory sits in the river valley and is best known for the glass pyramids that sit on top of it. The Skyreach Centre is the home of an outstanding National Hockey League teams, the Edmonton Oilers. This year, Edmonton is hosting the World Athletics Championship in August. The best athletes in track and field will all come to Edmonton to compete.

Edmonton is a growing city still. With all the farmland around, it is possible that the city will continue to build beyond its present borders. It has a reputation of being a good city for raising families. It has one of the strongest economies in Canada right now and is expected to do well in the next few years. Edmonton is a city with strong hopes for the future.