Edmonton occupies a land area of 670 sq km (259 sq mi) on a flat site across which the North Saskatchewan River has carved a broad, deep valley. The metropolitan area occupies a land area of 9537 sq km (3682 sq mi). In earlier times, this valley was the site of industries and workers' houses, but now it is largely taken up with parks, golf courses, and such attractions as the Muttart Conservatory, Fort Edmonton Park, and the Valley Zoo. Expensive houses and high-rise apartment buildings line the river bluffs, along with some of Edmonton's most important public buildings, such as the Alberta Legislature, the Provincial Museum, and the University of Alberta (founded in 1906). North of the valley is the downtown district, marked by a dense cluster of office towers. In the area around Sir Winston Churchill Square are municipal government buildings, law courts, the Edmonton Art Gallery, and the Citadel Theatre. Across the river is the Old Strathcona historic conservation area, where the Fringe Theatre Event takes place every August. Farther out, toward the city limits, are West Edmonton Mall, a modern shopping and entertainment complex that is among the most popular tourist destinations in Alberta, and Edmonton Garrison, the largest military base in western Canada.
Other notable features of Edmonton and its surrounding area are the Space and Science Centre; the Skyreach Centre, where the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL) play; Commonwealth Stadium, which attracts international sporting events and is the home field for the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League (CFL); and Northlands Exhibition Ground, best known for the fair held during the Klondike Days festival every July. Other attractions include the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, where the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, the Edmonton Opera, and the Alberta Ballet perform; the Devonian Botanical Gardens; Elk Island National Park; and the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village. Edmonton's leading educational institutions are the University of Alberta, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (1962), and Grant MacEwan Community College (1971).Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Edmonton Information info
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