Calgary
It is the largest city in the province of Alberta. It is located in a region of hills and plateaus, approximately 80 kilometers east of the Rocky Mountains. Its economy is focused mainly on the oil industry, although agriculture, tourism and high technology also contribute to the economic development of the city. It is also a well-known destination for being a place to practice ecotourism and winter sports; in 1988 it became the first Canadian city to host the Winter Olympic Games. It was rated the cleanest city in the world in a survey conducted by Forbes magazine in 2007. Its name comes from the namesake of a beach located on the island of Mull, in Scotland.
This cosmopolitan city continues steeped in the Western culture that gave it the nickname "Cowtown," evident at the Calgary Stampede, the massive July rodeo and festival that grew out of the agricultural shows that once took place here .
Its most important tourist places are:
- Calgary Olympic Park: It was the headquarters of the Olympic Games of Winter 1988. Currently athletes train here, but you can practice skiing, skating, snowboarding and bobsleigh in winter; and luge, zip lining, mountain biking or mini golf in the summer. Inside is the Sports Hall of Fame.
- Nose Hill Park: The panoramic views of the city from this park are magnificent, with high plains and aspen trees. This charming wild open space is one of the largest urban parks in North America. Here, you can walk or ride a bike to explore the extensive trails that cover its 11 square kilometers and pause to enjoy a picnic in front of a beautiful landscape. In it you can find two circles formed by stones (old tipis) and important archaeological sites.
- Dinosaur Provincial Park: In it you can find Fossils can be found in its unusual wastelands. Archaeologists have unearthed around 300 fossils, making the site the world's largest source of Cretaceous fossils. It is located about two and a half hours outside of Calgary, near Brooks. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
- Calgary Tower: It is located in the center of the city and measures 191 meters high . It has a wonderful 360-degree view of the horizon, foothills, plains, Rocky Mountains and much more from the glass floor and observation deck. It was conceived as part of an urban renewal plan and to celebrate Canada's 1967 centennial. It opened its doors to the public on June 30, 1968 with the title of tallest structure in Calgary, and the tallest in Canada outside of Toronto. Its name was changed from Husky Tower to Calgary Tower in 1971. It has two restaurants offering fine dining: the revolving SKY360 and the luxurious Ruth's Chris Steakhouse.