Why Study in Alberta? Natural Beauty

Alberta's population of approximately three million people enjoy some of the most breathtaking scenery and enjoyable outdoor living in the world, making it one of the best places in which to live, study and visit.

The diverse landscape of Alberta ranges from the majestic Rocky Mountains in the West, picturesque foothills, parkland and rolling prairies, to spectacular badlands and remote northern forests. Alberta has some of the most beautiful and inviting natural environments in the world, including:

• Over 600 lakes
  
  
• 245 rivers
  
  
• More than 78,000 square kilometres of parkland
  
  
• 2,330 hours of sunshine annually
  
  
• Five National Parks

Banff National Park - UNESCO World Heritage Site and Canada's first National Park of Canada (1885) Elk Island National Park - Alberta plains oasis for rare and endangered species Jasper National Park - UNESCO World Heritage Site and glacial jewel of the Rockies Waterton Lakes National Park - International Peace Park; where the Rocky Mountains meet the prairie Wood Buffalo National Park - UNESCO World Heritage Site larger than Switzerland

• Over 60 provincial parks
  
  
• Five of Canada's 13 UNESCO World Heritage Sites

The geographic diversity of the province offers a wide range of outdoor recreational activities. On any given day, in any given season, thousands of Albertans and visitors enjoy their spectacular surroundings by:

Skiing (Alberta boasts six ski resorts and 66 regional ski hills) Golfing (Alberta has 275 golf courses province-wide) Hiking Fishing in clear mountain lakes Photography Canoeing Skating Swimming Camping Boating Rock climbing Archaeological expeditions in the badlands, home of the dinosaurs

Many first-time visitors imagine it as extremely cold, but Alberta receives more hours of sunshine than any other province in Canada. International students usually love winter in Alberta because of the numerous outdoor activities that are possible, and don't forget, winter is only one season out of four!

Those have never been to Alberta often believe it to be mainly wilderness, and while there is much unspoiled land here, you will probably begin your exploration of our province amid the urban excitement of either Edmonton or Calgary.

• Travel Alberta
  Official travel and tourism site for Alberta, Canada.
• Travel Alberta scenic photos and videos
  Photo album and video clips of scenic Alberta.