These following facts about Alberta should definitely provide you much information about the province. Alberta is a province of Canada. With population of 3,645,257 in 2011 and an estimated population of 4,082,571 as of January 1, 2014,it is Canada’s fourth-most populous province and most populous of Canada’s three prairie provinces. Alberta and its neighbour, Saskatchewan, were established as provinces on September 1, 1905. Furthermore, to get to know more about this province, here are some other facts about Alberta you might be interested in.

Facts about Alberta 1: Etymology

Alberta is named after Princess Louise Caroline Alberta (1848–1939), the fourth daughter of Victoria, the Queen of Canada until 1901, and Albert, Prince Consort. Princess Louise was the wife of the Marquess of Lorne, Governor General of Canada from 1878 to 1883. Lake Louise and Mount Alberta were also named in honour of Princess Louise.

Facts about Alberta 2: Fauna

The four climatic regions (alpine, boreal forest, parkland, and prairie) of Alberta are home to many different species of animals. The south and central prairie was the land of the bison, commonly known as buffalo, its grasses providing pasture and breeding ground for millions of buffalo.

Facts about Alberta 3: Diverse Province

Alberta is the third most diverse province in terms of visible minorities after British Columbia and Ontarioa with 13.9% of the population consisting of visible minorities, Nearly one-fourth of the populations of Calgary and Edmonton belong to a visible minority group.

Facts about Alberta 4: Economy

Alberta’s economy is one of the strongest in Canada, supported by the burgeoning petroleum industry and to a lesser extent, agriculture and technology. The per capita GDP in 2007 was by far the highest of any province in Canada at C$74,825. This was 61% higher than the national average of C$46,441 and more than twice that of some of the Atlantic province.

Facts about Alberta 5: Freest Economy

The Fraser Institute states that Alberta also has very high levels of economic freedom and rates Alberta as the freest economy in Canada,and the second freest economy amongst U.S. states and Canadian provinces^. The government of Alberta has invested its earnings wisely; as of 30 September 2013, official statistics reported nearly 500 holdings.

Facts about Alberta 6: Industry

Alberta is the largest producer of conventional crude oil, synthetic crude, natural gas and gas products in Canada. Alberta is the world’s second largest exporter of natural gas and the fourth largest producer. Two of the largest producers of petrochemicals in North America are located in central and north-central Alberta.

Facts about Alberta 7: Agriculture and Forestry

Agriculture has a significant position in the province’s economy. The province has over three million head of cattle, and Alberta beef has a healthy worldwide market. Nearly one half of all Canadian beef is produced in Alberta.

Facts about Alberta 8: Tourism

Alberta has been a tourist destination from the early days of the twentieth century, with attractions including outdoor locales for skiing, hiking and camping, shopping locales such as West Edmonton Mall, Calgary Stampede, outdoor festivals, professional athletic events, international sporting competitions such as the Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games, as well as more eclectic attractions.

Facts about Alberta 9: Government

The Government of Alberta is organized as a parliamentary democracy with a unicameral legislature. Its unicameral legislature, the Legislative Assembly, consists of eighty-seven members elected first past the post (FPTP) from single-member constituencies

Facts about Alberta 10: Health Care

Alberta provides a publicly funded health care system, Alberta Health Services, for all its citizens and residents as set out by the provisions of the Canada Health Act of 1984. Alberta became Canada’s second province to adopt a Tommy Douglas-style program in 1950, a precursor to the modern medicare system.

Hope you would find those Alberta facts really interesting, useful and helpful for your additional reading.