Calgary is located in the Grassland region of Alberta, approximately 80 km east of the Rocky Mountains. With approximately 1.1 million inhabitants, it’s the largest city in Alberta, Canada. The “oil boom” of the early 1900s, significantly increased the city’s importance to the world and as a result, many people from around the world made Calgary their home.

The city of Calgary is composed of 4 zones: NW, NE, SE, SW. The city is also divided into roughly 250 neighborhoods.

There is plenty to do while in Calgary, such as winter sports, shopping, markets, museums, exploring, or just simply relaxing. Some of the top visited sites of Calgary are:

• Calgary Tower: The Calgary Tower is a 191 meter, free standing observation tower located directly downtown Calgary. The tower features a revolving restaurant that allows visitors to enjoy a delicious lunch while enjoying a breathtaking view of the city.
• Telus World of Science: This science museum is full of interactive exhibits, multimedia presentations and educational demonstrations. Each year there are more than 300,000 visitors and over 50,000 students who come to explore the museum. In 2006, the museum opened a part especially for kids called the Creative Kids Museum, which offers children art-based learning.
• Calgary Zoo: Since their establishment in 1929, the Calgary Zoo, Botanical Garden and Prehistoric Park have offered visitors from around the world the opportunity to experience and interact with wildlife right in the heart of Calgary - only 5 minutes from downtown.

Calgary is located near the foot of the Rocky Mountains. This is the area that people typically think about when they think of Canada. There are more than 300 days of clear skies each year, making Calgary the sunniest city in Canada. The city provides friendly people and beautiful scenery for students to enjoy during their stay.

As it is known as the nation’s sunniest city, Calgary’s climate is usually very dry. The spring months usually provide the most rain. In the winter, the mountains are usually covered in snow, while the city itself gets very little accumulation. Calgary’s winters are known for a local phenomenon referred to as a Chinook Wind. This wind can raise temperatures more than 10 Celsius degrees in a single day! Throughout a typical winter, 3 or 4 times, Calgary will have Chinook Winds that last 3 to 6 days each time.

Not only is Calgary the gateway to the Rocky Mountains, it has plenty of fascinating characteristics in its own right. Since 1912, every year travelers make their way to Calgary to take part in the city’s cowboy culture that’s kept alive by the Calgary Stampede. Also, Banff National Park and the Rocky Mountains attract lovers of nature’s true beauty.

After hosting the XV Olympic Winter Games in 1988, Calgary has become famously known for its winter sports, such as bobsledding, skiing, and of course, ice hockey.

For those travelers that don’t enjoy sports or nature, Calgary also offers a variety of interesting museums, great restaurants, huge shopping centers and plenty of cultural events to keep you busy throughout your visit.

Downtown Calgary, along Stephen Avenue Walk, you’ll find the main shopping district filled with shops, restaurants, coffee shops and much more…

The Calgary Farmer's Market, found at 4421 Quesnay Wood Drive SW, is the city’s most popular market for fresh produce and a wide range of other delicious local foods.

If you’re looking to “shop-til-you-drop”, here are some of the most popular shopping centers of Calgary: The Core Shopping Centre, the Chinook Centre, the Deerfoot Outlet Mall, Riley & McCormick, Eau Claire Market, Cottage Craft, and, of course, “the Red Mile”.

Discover everything Canada has to offer year round! Enjoy skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, and other exciting sports. Come and enjoy Canada's winter!