Edmonton

At the end of the XIX century, a railroad was built through the fort. In 1892, Edmonton was declared a city. In another 14 years, the province of Alberta was formed with Edmonton as its center.

After 1914, there was a sharp decline in the economy of the city. The collapse of real estate prices caused it.

The discovery of large oil fields in the late 1940s led to a new heyday for Edmonton. The economic boom continued until the second half of the 1980s. But after the collapse of oil prices, the city began to decline again.

The beginning of the new millennium brought another economic boom to Edmonton. The city gradually became the economic and cultural center of the region.

In mid-June, the city hosts the TD Edmonton International Jazz Festival. It brings together well-known and aspiring musicians. From all the stages of the city, the sensual melodies of jazz, soul, and blues performed by talented artists can be heard.

The best time to explore Edmonton is from late spring to mid-autumn. But at any time of year, you'll find exciting discoveries and spectacular places to visit.

• Visit West Edmonton Mall. One of the largest shopping and entertainment centers in North America occupies an area of 570,000 square meters. There are 800 stores, many restaurants, cafes, and entertainment centers. The main attraction of the mall is Galaxyland. This is the world's second-largest indoor amusement park, which has more than two dozen rides. Another popular place of the mall is the World Water Park, which occupies an area of 20,000 square meters.
• See St. Josaphat's Cathedral. The charming temple of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church appeared in the early XX century. In 1938, it was renovated, giving it a modern look. The architect (Father Philip Ruh) managed to combine Western European style elements with the classical Ukrainian Baroque. In the middle of the XX century, the church got the status of a cathedral.
• View the collections of the Alberta Art Gallery. Its futuristic brutalist building is located on Sir Winston Churchill Square. There are more than 6,000 paintings, drawings, sculptures, photographs, and installations on about 8,000 square meters. Among the masterpieces of the gallery, you can see the works of the great masters of the brush Francisco Goya and Edgar Degas. After seeing the works of art, you can sit on the terrace of the outdoor cafe, which is located in the gallery building.
• Learn about the history of the province at the Royal Albertan Museum. It opened as a local history museum in the late 1960s. In 2005, Queen Elizabeth II visited it. Since then, it began to be called the Royal Museum. Unique paleontological, archaeological, biological, and historical exhibits can be seen here. In addition to permanent exhibitions, the museum often has temporary displays.
• Get acquainted with the exhibits of the fascinating Zoological Museum. It is located on the campus of the University of Alberta. It houses more than 30,000 rare specimens. On the first floor of the museum, there is a preparatory hall. The second floor offers collections of mammals and birds, and the third floor has fish, amphibians, and reptiles.
• Spend a day at Elk Island National Park. The magnificent reserve is just outside Edmonton in the Beaver Hills. Charming nature and many beautiful lakes have made the park a favorite destination for Canadians. Endangered animals can be seen here, including bison, wapiti, elk, and black-tailed deer. The park is home to over 200 species of birds, many of which are considered rare.
• Taste the local cuisine. Order pumpkin soup, filet brochettes (pieces of filet, bacon, onions, and mushrooms roasted on a spit), and smoked herring. For dessert, try scones or waffles with maple syrup or cream cake.