Calgary facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Calgary
City
City of Calgary
Skyline of Downtown Calgary Stephen Avenue Lougheed House Olympic Plaza SAIT Heritage Hall Calgary Stampede Rodeo
Flag Coat of arms Logo
Nicknames:  The Stampede City, Cowtown, Mohkínstsis, Wîchîspa Oyade, Guts’ists’i more...
Motto(s):  Onward
Calgary Location in Canada Show map of Canada Calgary Location in Alberta Show map of Alberta
Country	Canada
Province	Alberta
Region	Calgary Metropolitan Region
Census division	6
Municipal districts	Rocky View County and Foothills County
Founded	1875
Incorporated
• Town	November 7, 1884
• City	January 1, 1894
Named for	Calgary, Mull
Government
• Body	Calgary City Council
Area  (2021)
• Land	820.62 km2 (316.84 sq mi)
• Urban	621.72 km2 (240.05 sq mi)
• Metro	5,098.68 km2 (1,968.61 sq mi)
Elevation	1,045 m (3,428 ft)
Population  (2021)
• City	1,306,784 (3rd)
• Density	1,592.4/km2 (4,124/sq mi)
• Urban	1,305,550 (4th)
• Urban density	2,099.9/km2 (5,439/sq mi)
• Metro	1,481,806 (5th)
• Metro density	290.6/km2 (753/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Calgarian
Time zone	UTC−07:00 (MST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−06:00 (MDT)
FSAs	T1Y, T2A - T3S
Area code(s)	403, 587, 825, 368
NTS Map	082O01
GNBC Code	IAKID
GDP (Calgary CMA)	CA$102.66 billion (2020)
GDP per capita (Calgary CMA)	CA,885 (2022)

Calgary is the largest city in the Canadian province of Alberta. It is also the biggest city in the three prairie provinces. In 2021, Calgary had over 1.3 million people, making it the third-largest city and fifth-largest metropolitan area in Canada.

Calgary is located where the Bow River and the Elbow River meet. This area is in the southwest of Alberta, between the Rocky Mountain Foothills and the Canadian Prairies. It's about 80 kilometers (50 miles) east of the Canadian Rockies. The city is also roughly 299 kilometers (186 miles) south of Edmonton, Alberta's capital.

Calgary's economy is quite diverse. It includes energy, finance, film, transportation, technology, and tourism. The Calgary area has the second-highest number of company head offices in Canada. In 2022, Calgary was ranked as the third most livable city in the world, and the most livable in Canada and North America. In 1988, Calgary became the first Canadian city to host the Olympic Winter Games.

What's in a Name?

Calgary got its name from Calgary Castle on the Isle of Mull in Scotland. Colonel James Macleod, a police commissioner, suggested the name in 1876 for what became Fort Calgary. The Scottish Gaelic name Calgairidh might mean "cold garden" from old Norse words. Another idea is that it means "enclosed meadow harbor" or "harbor pasture" in Gaelic.

People from Calgary say the name with two syllables: KAL-gree. Others sometimes say KAL-ger-ee, which is not how locals say it.

The Indigenous peoples of Southern Alberta often call the Calgary area "elbow." This refers to the sharp bend in the Bow River and Elbow River. In the Blackfoot language, it's called Mohkínstsis, also meaning "elbow." Other Indigenous names for the area also relate to the "elbow" or "many horse town."

Calgary's Story

Early Days

People have lived in the Calgary area for at least 11,000 years. Before Europeans arrived, the area was home to the Blackfoot, Blood, Peigan, and Tsuu T'ina First Nations peoples. The first European to visit was David Thompson in 1787. John Glenn was the first European settler in 1873.

Calgary as it appeared circa 1885

In 1875, the North-West Mounted Police (now the Royal Canadian Mounted Police) set up a post here to protect the area. It was first called Fort Brisebois, but then renamed Fort Calgary in 1876.

When the Canadian Pacific Railway arrived in 1883, Calgary started to grow quickly. It became an important center for trade and farming. Calgary became a town in 1884 and a city in 1894. The Calgary Police Service was started in 1885.

In 1886, a big fire destroyed 14 buildings. After this, city leaders decided that all large downtown buildings had to be built with sandstone to prevent future fires.

Ranching became very important after the railway arrived. The government offered cheap land for grazing. Calgary soon became a center for Canada's cattle and meatpacking industries. The famous Calgary Stampede, a huge rodeo and exhibition, started in 1912. It's still held every July and is known as the "greatest outdoor show on earth."

Oil and Growth

Oil was found in Alberta in 1902, but it became a huge industry after 1947. Calgary quickly became the center of this "oil boom." The city grew a lot when oil prices went up in the 1970s. Many skyscrapers were built, making the downtown area very tall.

Calgary's economy was very connected to the oil industry. When oil prices dropped in the 1980s, the city faced tough times. However, Calgary learned to become more diverse, adding other industries and cultural events.

Modern Calgary

This change helped Calgary become a major city. In 1988, Calgary hosted the Winter Olympics, which put the city on the world stage.

Today, Calgary's economy is strong, thanks to oil prices and new industries like tourism and high-tech manufacturing. Over 3.1 million people visit Calgary each year for its festivals and attractions, especially the Calgary Stampede. Nearby mountain towns like Banff and Lake Louise also bring tourists through Calgary.

In June 2013, southern Alberta, including Calgary, experienced major floods. Over 75,000 people had to leave their homes, and parts of the city lost power.

Eastern portion of Calgary's skyline from the south, 2016

Where is Calgary?

Map of Calgary: Purple indicates industrial zones

Calgary is located where the Rocky Mountain Foothills meet the Canadian Prairies. Downtown Calgary is about 1,045 meters (3,428 feet) above sea level. In 2011, the city covered an area of 825.29 square kilometers (318.64 square miles).

Two rivers flow through the city: the Bow River and the Elbow River. The Elbow River joins the Bow River near the historic Fort Calgary. Because the area is generally dry, thick plants only grow naturally in the river valleys.

Calgary is surrounded by other towns and communities like Airdrie to the north and Okotoks to the south. The Tsuutʼina Nation Indian Reserve No. 145 is next to Calgary on the southwest side.

Plants and Animals

Many different plants and animals live in and around Calgary. The Rocky Mountain Douglas-fir tree grows here, which is close to its northernmost limit. The White Spruce tree is also common.

City Areas

Inglewood, an inner-city neighborhood in Calgary

Calgary has an inner city surrounded by many suburban neighborhoods. The downtown area has five main parts: Eau Claire, the Downtown West End, the Downtown Commercial Core, Chinatown, and the Downtown East Village. Just south of downtown is the Beltline, a very busy area with many shops and restaurants.

Around the inner city are older, well-known neighborhoods like Crescent Heights, Hillhurst, Bridgeland, and Inglewood. Beyond these are newer suburban areas like Evergreen and McKenzie Towne. Calgary has over 180 different neighborhoods. Some of them, like Bowness and Forest Lawn, used to be separate towns before Calgary grew and included them.

Weather in Calgary

Calgary has a humid continental climate. This means it has warm summers and cold winters. The average temperature in July is 16.5°C (61.7°F), and in December, it's -6.8°C (19.8°F).

Ice fog is common over ice-free currents of the Bow River when temperatures drop to -17°C (1°F). Hoar frost forms on vegetation. January 9, 2015 -20°C (-4°F), 10:00 am

Winters can be very cold, with temperatures dropping below -20°C (-4°F) about 22 days a year. However, warm, dry Chinook winds often blow over the mountains. These winds can raise the temperature by 20°C (36°F) or even 30°C (54°F) in just a few hours! This makes Calgary's winters milder than some other cities in the prairies.

In summer, temperatures can go above 30°C (86°F) about 5 days a year. But because Calgary is high up and dry, summer evenings usually cool down.

Aurora beyond Calgary's downtown skyline

Calgary is known for having the most sunny days of Canada's largest cities, with over 332 sunny days each year. It gets about 2,396 hours of sunshine annually.

The city gets about 418.8 millimeters (16.49 inches) of rain and snow each year. Most rain falls in June, and most snow falls in March. It can even snow in any month of the year, though it's rare in July.

Calgary also experiences thunderstorms, especially in summer. It's in "Hailstorm Alley," so damaging hailstorms happen every few years. The highest temperature ever recorded was 36.1°C (97.0°F) in July 1919 and 1933. The coldest was -45.0°C (-49.0°F) in February 1893.

People of Calgary

Population Pyramid of Calgary

In 2021, Calgary's population was 1,306,784. This was a 5.5% increase from 2016. The larger Calgary metropolitan area had 1,481,806 people in 2021. Calgary was one of the fastest-growing cities in Canada between 2011 and 2016.

About 33.3% of Calgary's population are immigrants, meaning they were born outside Canada. Many come from the Philippines, India, and China.

Backgrounds and Beliefs

In 2016, about 60% of Calgary's people were of European background. About 4% were of Aboriginal heritage. The rest, about 36.2%, belonged to a visible minority group. The largest visible minority groups were South Asians, Chinese, and Filipinos.

According to the 2021 census, about 44.5% of people in Calgary are Christian. About 38.7% do not have a religion. Other religions include Islam (7.4%), Sikhism (3.8%), and Hinduism (2.6%).

Calgary's Economy

Calgary is a leader in Canada's oil and gas industry. Its economy has grown much faster than the rest of Canada. The city has high incomes and low unemployment. This is thanks to the energy industry and a growing variety of other businesses.

Calgary is home to the head offices of many large oil and gas companies. Many financial service companies also operate here. The city is also a major hub for transportation and distribution.

While oil and gas are still very important, Calgary's economy is becoming more diverse. Other growing industries include tourism, high-tech manufacturing, film, and e-commerce.

Arts and Culture

Calgary was named one of Canada's cultural capitals in 2012. Many people in Calgary enjoy the city's lively arts and culture scene.

Live Shows

The Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium is a big place for performing arts. It hosts musicals, plays, and local shows. It's also home to the Alberta Ballet Company and the Calgary Opera.

The city also has other performance venues like Arts Commons, which has several theaters and a concert hall. Calgary is also where Theatresports, a type of improvisational theater, was created.

Music and Dance

Every three years, Calgary hosts the Honens International Piano Competition, a major event for classical piano.

Calgary has many marching bands, including the famous Calgary Stampede Showband, which has won world championships. There are also many choirs and pipe bands.

The Alberta Ballet is Canada's third-largest dance company. They are known for their unique shows that combine ballet with pop music.

Film and TV

Many movies and TV shows have been filmed in Calgary and the surrounding areas. Some famous movies include Brokeback Mountain, Inception, and The Revenant. TV shows like Fargo and The Last of Us have also been filmed here.

Art and Books

Calgary has many art galleries, especially downtown and in neighborhoods like Inglewood. The Calgary Public Library is Canada's second-largest library system. Its new main branch, the Calgary Central Library, opened in 2018 and has won many awards for its design.

Museums

The Glenbow Museum is Western Canada's largest museum, with art and First Nations exhibits. Other museums include the Chinese Cultural Centre, Canada's Sports Hall of Fame, and The Military Museums.

Festivals

The Calgary Stampede draws in over a million visitors every year.

Calgary has held an LGBT+ Pride event every year since 1988.

Calgary hosts many annual festivals. The most famous is the Calgary Stampede, a huge rodeo and exhibition held every July. It attracts over a million visitors each year. Other festivals include the Calgary International Film Festival, the Calgary Folk Music Festival, and GlobalFest.

Fun Things to Do

Featuring a mix of boutiques, high-end retailers and restaurants, Stephen Avenue is a major pedestrian mall and tourist attraction in Calgary.

Despite no longer being the tallest structure in the city, the Calgary Tower remains a prominent attraction and symbol of Calgary's culture.

Downtown Calgary has many restaurants, shops, and cultural spots. You can visit the Calgary Tower, the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, the National Music Centre, and the Calgary Central Library. Stephen Avenue is a popular street for shopping and dining. Prince's Island Park is a beautiful urban park. The Devonian Gardens is one of the world's largest indoor gardens, located inside a shopping center.

South of downtown is the Beltline, known for its lively nightlife and shops, especially along 17 Avenue SW. This street became famous as the "Red Mile" during the Calgary Flames' hockey playoff run in 2004. You can easily get around downtown using the CTrain, which is free in the downtown area.

Outside downtown, you can visit Heritage Park Historical Village, which shows what life was like in Alberta before 1914. It has old buildings and working historic vehicles. Calaway Park is Western Canada's largest outdoor amusement park. Other attractions include Canada Olympic Park (where the 1988 Winter Olympics were held) and Spruce Meadows, a famous equestrian center.

Sports and Recreation

The grassy fields of Nose Hill Park overlooking Canada Olympic Park and the Canadian Rockies

Calgary has about 8,000 hectares (20,000 acres) of parkland. Some popular parks include Fish Creek Provincial Park, Bowness Park, and Nose Hill Park, which is one of Canada's largest city parks. An 800-kilometer (500-mile) pathway system connects these parks and neighborhoods.

The Peace Bridge is a pedestrian and cycling bridge at Eau Claire Park, suspended over the Bow River.

Because it's close to the Rocky Mountains, Calgary is great for winter sports. After hosting the 1988 Winter Olympics, the city has major facilities like Canada Olympic Park and the Olympic Oval. These are used for training athletes in sports like bobsleigh, luge, and speed skating. In summer, Canada Olympic Park is used for mountain biking.

In summer, people enjoy rafting and fishing on the Bow River. Golf is also very popular, with many courses in the area.

Calgary has a big sports rivalry with Edmonton, especially between the National Hockey League's Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers, and the Canadian Football League's Calgary Stampeders and Edmonton Elks.

The Scotiabank Saddledome is a multi-use indoor arena that is home to the NHL's Calgary Flames and the NLL's Calgary Roughnecks.

McMahon Stadium is the home stadium for the CFL's Calgary Stampeders and was the Olympic Stadium for the 1988 Winter Olympics.

Calgary is also famous as the home of the Hart wrestling family. Their "Dungeon" was where many professional wrestlers, including Bret Hart and Owen Hart, trained.

Calgary has hosted many important sporting events, including:

• 1972 World Figure Skating Championships
• 1988 Winter Olympics
• 1995 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
• 2006 World Figure Skating Championships

City Life

Getting Around

The CTrain is Calgary's light rail transit system, boasting the second-highest ridership in North America.

Calgary Transit offers buses and a light rail transit (LRT) system called the CTrain. The CTrain was one of the first light rail systems in North America. It has two lines and 44 stations. It's the second busiest LRT system in North America, carrying 270,000 passengers each weekday. The CTrain is also special because it runs on 100% wind-generated energy! A third line, the Green Line, is currently being built.

Airports

Calgary International Airport is the gateway to Canada's Rocky Mountains.

Calgary International Airport (YYC) is a major airport in Canada, serving 18 million passengers in 2019. It's a main entry point for visitors going to Banff National Park and the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site. You can fly non-stop from Calgary to many cities in Canada, the United States, Europe, Central America, and Asia.

Walking and Biking

Calgary has the largest paved pathway network in North America.

Calgary has the largest paved walking and cycling pathway network in North America, stretching over 1,000 kilometers (620 miles). There are also many on-street bike lanes and public trails. The Peace Bridge is a special bridge for walkers and cyclists over the Bow River.

Skywalks

Calgary's +15 skyway network is the world's most extensive elevated pedestrian skywalk system.

Downtown Calgary has a unique system of elevated indoor pedestrian bridges called the +15. These bridges connect many downtown buildings, letting people walk around without going outside, which is great during cold winters. The name "+15" comes from the fact that the bridges are usually 15 feet (4.6 meters) above the ground.

Roads

Calgary is an important transportation hub because it's located where Highway 2 and the Trans-Canada Highway meet. Stoney Trail is a large ring road that goes all the way around the city. Most of Calgary's streets are numbered in a grid pattern.

Trains

Calgary is a key center for freight trains. There are no regular passenger trains that connect Calgary to other cities. However, there are plans for a high-speed rail line between downtown Calgary and downtown Edmonton in the future.

Learning in Calgary

Schools

Calgary has two main public school systems: the Calgary Board of Education (English public schools) and the Calgary Catholic School District (English Catholic schools). There are also French language schools and many private schools. Calgary is home to Canada's first high school just for Olympic-level athletes, the National Sport School.

Colleges and Universities

The University of Calgary is the city's largest university, with about 34,000 students. Mount Royal University also offers many degree programs. SAIT Polytechnic provides hands-on training and apprentice education. These institutions help students learn skills for many different jobs.

News and Media

Calgary has two main daily newspapers: the Calgary Herald and the Calgary Sun. Major TV networks like Global, City, CTV, and CBC have local studios in the city. There are also many radio stations, including some for First Nations and Asian Canadian communities.

Famous People

Calgary Around the World

Calgary has "sister city" agreements with seven cities around the world. These partnerships help with trade, culture, and education.

• Quebec City, Quebec, Canada (1956)
• Jaipur, Rajasthan, India (1973)
• Daqing, Heilongjiang, China (1985)
• Naucalpan, Mexico State, Mexico (1994)
• Tarui, Gifu, Japan (1996)
• Daejeon, Daejeon, South Korea (1996)
• Phoenix, Arizona, US (1997)

Images for kids

• 

  Eastern portion of Calgary's skyline from the south, 2016

See also

In Spanish: Calgary para niños