Southern Alberta
Southern Albertais aregionlocated in theCanadian provinceofAlberta.In 2016, the region's population was approximately 291,112.[1]The primary cities areLethbridgeandMedicine Hat.The region is known mostly foragricultural production,but other sectors, such asalternative energy,film productionand tourism, are emerging.
Geography[edit]
The region has a total area of approximately 75,500 km2(29,151 sq mi).
Southern Alberta is in the northernGreat Plainsregion, lined to the east from theCanadian Rocky Mountainsand their foothills. The rest of the region is dominated by the semi-aridprairiesof thePalliser's Triangle,where farms and ranches have been built, often with the help ofirrigation.Rivers generally flow from west to east and include theOldman River,Bow River,Red Deer River,South Saskatchewan River,andMilk River.Milk River is the only river in Canada that eventually flows into theGulf of Mexico.[2]
The environment is protected in such areas asWaterton Lakes National ParkandCypress Hills Interprovincial Park,while sites such asHead-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump,Dinosaur Provincial ParkandWriting-on-Stone Provincial Parkwere declaredUNESCOWorld Heritage Sites.The Alberta Badlands are developed in the northeast of the region, prominently along the Red Deer River.Cypress Hills,located in the east, at the border withSaskatchewan,are the highest point between theRocky MountainsandLabrador.
Infrastructure[edit]
Major highways[edit]
- Highway 1 (Transcanada Highway)
- Highway 2(QE2)
- Highway 3(Crowsnest Highway)
- Highway 4
- Highway 5
- Highway 36(Veteran Memorial Highway)
- Highway 41(Buffalo Trail)
Health care[edit]
Health care in the region is overseen byAlberta Health Services.It was formerly served byCalgary Health Region,Chinook HealthandPalliser Health Regionbefore they were amalgamated with the other six regional health boards in 2008 to form Alberta Health Services.[3]
Economy[edit]
In 2007, Alberta Human Resources and Employment reported the fields of finance, insurance, real estate, professions, technicians and senior managers will lead the Lethbridge–Medicine Hat region's growth with an average 2.8% realGDPgrowth each year until 2011. The industries of manufacturing, energy, mining, and forestry would account for 2.6% each. All ten of these fields would account for more than half of the region's domestic product.[4]
| Sector | Labour force | % of total |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture | 18,085 | 13% |
| Mining | 6,450 | 5% |
| Manufacturing | 11,930 | 9% |
| Construction | 10,020 | 7% |
| Transportation and utilities | 7,450 | 5% |
| Retail and wholesale | 19,865 | 15% |
| Finance | 4,700 | 3% |
| Business and community services | 52,110 | 38% |
| Public administration | 6,110 | 4% |
Politics[edit]
On a provincial level, southern Alberta is represented in theLegislative Assembly of Albertaby MLAs elected in the ridings ofAirdrie-Cochrane,Airdrie-East,Banff-Kananaskis,Brooks-Medicine Hat,Cardston-Siksika,Chestermere-Strathmore,Cypress-Medicine Hat,Highwood,Lethbridge East,Lethbridge West,Livingstone-Macleod,andTaber-Warner.
Municipalities[edit]
|
Cities Towns |
Villages |
Specialized municipalities Improvement districts Municipal districts
Special areas
|
Notes[edit]
- ^"Census Profile, 2016 Census South Zone [Health region, December 2017]".Statistics Canada.The Government of Canada.Retrieved28 March2023.
- ^"Milk River Watershed Council Canada:: The Watershed".www.mrwcc.ca.Retrieved23 March2018.
- ^Markusoff, Jason; McLean, Archie (May 16, 2008)."Tories create health superboard: Stelmach plan will see single body rule nine regions".Edmonton Journal.canada.com. Archived fromthe originalon May 9, 2009.
- ^Mabell, Dave (2006-01-06). "People skills key to building success". Lethbridge Herald. pp. E1.
External links[edit]
Subdivisions ofAlberta | |
|---|---|
| Subdivisions | |
| Communities | |
| Citiesandurban service areas | |
| Regions | |
