Edmonton: Background Information

THE BUILDING OF A CITY
Edmonton's historical roots date back to 1785 when the Hudson's Bay trading post known as "Edmonton House", was established. Trading began with the Cree and Blackfoot Indians for animal pelts and by 1826, Fort Edmonton had developed into a major mercantile centre. It was also the main stopping point to Canada's North and the Pacific Ocean.

In 1871, settlement began outside Fort Edmonton as land became available for purchase and in 1892, Edmonton was incorporated as a town with a population of 700. After Edmonton's incorporation as a town came the famous Klondike Gold Rush. As a major outfitting centre, Edmonton's economy, population, and reputation boomed.

Edmonton was incorporated as a city in 1904 and one year later, despite heated competition from Calgary and other Alberta centres, Edmonton was named the provincial capital.

In 1912, Edmonton and the neighbouring town of Strathcona amalgamated, swelling the population to 53,611 residents and by the 1920's, a speculative land boom increased the population as the city continued to grow. In the 1930's Edmonton established a reputation as a pioneer in aviation due to its role as a main transportation centre for medical supplies, food and mail to remote northern communities. During this time, the city earned the title Gateway to The North.

A key year in the city's history was 1942 when the construction of the Alaska highway solidified Edmonton's role as a major transportation and supply centre. In 1947 the discovery of oil in Leduc truned Edmonton into the Oil Capital of Canada virtually overnight and within a decade, the city had became one of the largest centres in Canada. Today, the energy industry remains the city's number one economic mainstay.

Population: 636,000 (1998)

Area: 70,152 hectares/270 square miles

Altitude: 668 metres/2,192 feet above sea level