Karsten SturmayAlberta’s bustling capital, Edmonton, is the second-largest city in the province. Whether you live here or plan to drop by on your next road trip, there’s more to learn about the city.
From fun facts to interesting historical trivia, we’ve gathered a bit of everything here!
This article will reveal random and unusual insights about Edmonton, which can make you more curious as to why many people include it in their travel bucket list!
Fact #1: There is no breeding population of rats in Edmonton.
Image Source: Poulins Pest Control
Believe it or not, Rat Free Alberta is actually true! Thanks to Alberta’s Rat Control Program, the province, including the city of Edmonton, has had no breeding population of rats for more than 70 years.
Rat infestations started on Alberta’s border and Saskatchewan in the 1950s. Rat control issues surfaced further in the province, so the government decided to eliminate them all by hiring Napoleon Louis Poulin.
Poulin implemented an 18-month pest control program and exterminated over 10 million rats.
Well, this doesn’t mean that there are zero rats in Edmonton. However, when the residents see them wandering, rats are dealt with as quickly as possible, so their population doesn’t grow.
Fact #2: During the summer solstice, the city enjoys 17 hours of daylight.
Image Source: CTV News
As summer officially starts, Edmonton experiences its longest day of the year. On the summer solstice, the city experiences an average of 17 hours of daylight.
This means that the sun rises earlier and sets later than usual.
If you live on the city’s northern latitude, you can experience longer daylight. This usually happens in June when the sun reaches its maximum declination.
Image Source: WinterCity Edmonton
On the contrary, the shortest day in Edmonton only lasts around seven to nine hours. This phenomenon usually falls in December.
It signals the start of winter. During the winter solstice, you will experience a long night and shorter daylight because the earth’s axis is leaning at its furthest point from the sun.
Fact #3: It hosts the largest classic cross-country ski event in Western Canada – Canadian Birkebeiner Ski Festival.
Image Source: WorldLoppet
Canadian Birkebeiner, the largest classic cross-country ski event in the country, is held in Edmonton.
The Birke tradition started in 1985 and features over 55 kilometers (34 miles) of ski tracks in the Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area.
It’s a three-day celebration where over 2,000 participants and 500 volunteers gather. Aside from cross-country skiing, this annual event also features the Nordic Fair and the Vikings Feast.
Fact #4: It features the world’s first-ever UFO Landing Pad.
Image Source: Travel Alberta
What sets this apart from other centenary projects in Edmonton is that instead of a statue, they erected a launching pad.
It’s not for helicopters or any vehicle. It’s for the extraterrestrials!
This Canadian centennial project that weighed 130 tonnes (117,934 kilograms) was erected on June 3, 1967, at St. Paul Recreation Center.
This grand UFO Landing Pad is one of the most unique and stand-out landmarks in Edmonton. It’s a large flat concrete structure adorned with a map of Canada.
Besides that, you can also find a saucer-shaped tourist information center where UFO memorabilia, such as pictures of alleged landing sites, crop circles, and mysterious cattle mutilations.
Fact #5: Edmonton is home to many professional sports teams.
Image Source: Global News
Edmonton has no shortage of professional sports teams, and various sporting events are held within the city. If you’re a sports enthusiast, you’ll love staying here.
Here are the professional teams you can find in Edmonton:
- Edmonton Elks – Canadian Football League
- Edmonton Oil Kings – Western Hockey League
- Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club – National Hockey League
- FC Edmonton Soccer – North American Soccer League
- Edmonton Rush – National Lacrosse League
Fact #6: Edmonton is divided into 375 neighborhoods.
Image Source: Edmonton Neighborhood Guide
Edmonton is the fifth-largest city in the country and the second-largest city in the province of Alberta.
The city is divided into seven geographic sectors, which are then further divided into 375 neighborhoods.
Note that these neighborhoods do not include the proposed and planned neighborhoods that are yet to be developed.
Fact #7: It’s home to the largest living history museum in Canada – Fort Edmonton Park.
Image Source: Edmonton CTV News
Fort Edmonton Park is an iconic attraction in Edmonton. It’s set on 158 acres (64 hectares of wooded parkland and is the largest living history museum in the country.
It features historically-themed sites, artworks, music, trains, and other attractions. If you like immersing yourself in the city’s rich and memorable history, this is the best starting place!
Fact #8: Edmonton has the largest urban green space in Canada – the North Saskatchewan River Valley Parks System.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
The biggest urban green space in the country extends over 88 kilometers (55 miles) and covers more than 18,000 acres (7,300 hectares) of land in Edmonton.
Moreover, the North Saskatchewan River Valley Park System also holds approximately 8,788 acres (3,556 hectares) of dedicated parkland.
This is the perfect spot for outdoor adventure because it features activities and attractions for everyone to enjoy. Here are some of them:
- Camping/Glamping
- Photo Walks
- Canoeing
- Kayaking
- Hiking
- Stargazing
- Watching Aurora Borealis
- Fishing
- Sightseeing
- Biking
- Picnics
Fact #9: Edmonton is the city of festivals.
Image Source: Stawnichy’s
Do you want to witness festivals all year round? Stay at Canada’s Festival City – Edmonton.
There’s literally no shortage of fun and free ways to explore the city because there are over 50 festivals held here annually.
Whether it’s summer, spring, winter, or fall, a festival full of food, concerts, art fest, and outdoor escapades awaits you.
Fact #10: Edmonton has the largest cowboy boot in Canada.
Image Source: Roadtrip Alberta
One of the most interesting roadside attractions you can see in Canada is this big boot!
The largest cowboy boot in the country is set outside the One Stop Biker Shop and has become a famous landmark in Edmonton.
The fiberglass boot monument is over 40 feet (12 meters), 9 feet (3 meters) wide at the top, and 16 feet (5 meters) long at the sole.
What’s more, even if you’re driving at night, you’ll see this shiny and flashing boot because it has over 600 feet (183 meters) of neon tubing!
Fact #11: Edmonton is home to the largest mall in North America – West Edmonton Mall.
Image Source: West Edmonton Mall
If you love shopping and recreational activities, it would be a sin if you didn’t visit West Edmonton Mall. You see, this mall is not like any other shopping mall because it’s the size of a small city!
It has over 800 shops and an area of approximately 5.3 million square feet (492,386 square meters).
Besides that, it’s home to the largest indoor amusement park in the country and the largest indoor wave pool and indoor lake in the world.
