Elevation: 721 metres
Motto: Sunshine capital of Canada
Climate: Semi arid
Population: Approximately 56,000
Hat Facts!
*Medicine Hat receives over 2,512 hours of sunshine annually, making it the sunniest city in Canada!
*Medicine Hat has over 100 parks and 85 kms. of trails.
*The South Saskatchewan River flows through the backdrop of the city.
*Agriculture and oil and gas industries are primary contibutors to the economy.
*The Canadian Forces Base of Suffield is located 56 kms northwest of the city.
Attractions
There are many great attractions in Medicine Hat, from the Family Leisure Centre where you can swim or skate, to Echo Dale Regional Park where the family can gather on those hot summer days.
In 2005 the 700 seat Esplanade Theatre opened it's doors. With state of the art acoustic design, orchestra lift and large stage area, the Esplanade can accommodate a variety of musical and theatrical performances. Also located in the Esplanade is an Art Gallery, Discovery Centre and Museum.
If you are looking to further your education, the Medicine Hat College can offer you credit courses, Continuing Education Studies and a wide variety of Conservatory and Dance programs.
And every July, put on your cowboy boots and stampede down for the annual Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede - a week of fun for the whole family.
Economy
Alberta has one of the world's most productive agricultural economies, producing about 25 percent of the value of Canada's annual output. Approximately 22 million hectares of cultivated and uncultivated land are used as pasture and forage for livestock. While wheat remains the primary crop, the production of new crops continues to expand as the industry diversifies. The province maintains the largest livestock population in Canada.
Long known as Canada's "energy province," Alberta has more than 65 percent of the country's reserves of conventional crude oil, over 80 percent of its natural gas, and all of its bitumen and oil-sands reserves.
*Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition, Copyright (c) 2003 |