Fun Facts
Welcome to Edmonton, the capital city of Alberta. We camp with bison, party under the aurora, and surf on the prairies. From the continent's first, biggest and wildest Fringe Theatre Festival to a shopping mall that at one time had more submarines than the Canadian navy, Edmontonians have never been afraid to do things a little differently.
Why is Edmonton different? There are theories. Maybe it’s our northern home, where for years we’ve learned to make our own fun. Perhaps it’s our legacy of entrepreneurs dreaming up oddities: deep freezer races, winter patios and surfing indoors. Perhaps it’s the foundation of natural beauty, from which we’ve built something great. Take your taste buds on a journey to some of the hottest craft beer taprooms and hyper-local bistros, experience the glory of the northern lights from our dark sky preserves, or cruise through North America’s largest stretch of urban parkland. There’s a uniqueness to how Edmontonians do ordinary things, and we welcome you to be a part of it.
From our unique location to our long days and endless festivals, here are some facts about our city.
Edmonton is the fifth largest city in Canada and the capital city of the province of Alberta. We are one of the youngest and fastest-growing cities in the country.
Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the northernmost city in North America with a population over one million people. We are the gateway to Canada’s North.
Edmonton’s River Valley is 22 times the size of New York’s Central Park.
On average Edmonton receives 2,299 hours of bright sunshine per year and is one of Canada's sunniest cities. During the summer, Edmonton can have up to 17 hours of daylight!
In the wintertime, the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) can be seen on a regular basis.
We are a quick three-hour flight from San Francisco, less than a two-hour flight from Seattle, and the drive to Jasper National Park is just three and a half hours west of the city.
Edmonton International Airport has over 60 non-stop national, US and international destinations.
Looking for the scenic route? Edmonton is fully accessible through Via Rail Canada. Bask in the magnificence of the Canadian Rockies or the beauty of the windswept prairies.