friendship force
EDMONTON & AREA
Established 1999
Site last updated: February 11, 2024
About our Area: The Greater Edmonton Region
Edmonton, like many places in North America, has been inhabited for thousands of years by indigenous groups. Archaeologists have found evidence that, for more than 500 generations, this bend in the river has been a
favoured gathering and camping place for the Cree and for other diverse Indigenous peoples. Their histories, languages, and cultures continue to influence our community as we share this land. As an act of reconciliation, we acknowledge that Edmonton is located on First Nations Treaty 6 territory that has not been lawfully ceded. This area is also recognized as Métis Region 4. The first permanent settlement by Europeans was started on a bend of the North Saskatchewan River, around 1795 .
Edmonton is the capital of the Province of Alberta, and is situated on the North Saskatchewan River, in the geographic centre of the province, approximately 500 km [320 miles] north of the USA border. The city is situated in the province of Alberta on the Yellowhead Highway #16 (east/west) and Highway #2, the Queen Elizabeth II Highway that runs north/south.
Approximate Driving Time to:
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Calgary - 3 hours south
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Banff/Lake Louise- 5 hours southwest
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Jasper/Rocky Mountains - 3-1/2 hours west
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USA Border with Montana - 8 hours south
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Vancouver - 14 hours southwest
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Edmonton is a prairie city of over 1,000,000 people in 2024 surrounded by a number of smaller cities and towns within less than a thirty minute driving distance (metro population 1,568,000). The area includes a multitude of lakes and diverse natural areas, large farms, market gardens and vast oil and gas reserves. The Edmonton Area has a perfect blend of metropolitan amenities and entrepreneurial spirit, with cultural diversity and a tight-knit community feel. Edmonton has the largest expanse of urban parkland in North America - 22 times larger than New York's Central Park. The city boasts more green space per capita than any other North American city. This includes the spectacular North Saskatchewan River Valley -- an escape to nature that contains more than 100 kilometres [60 miles] of multi-use trails and parkland. There are over 80 golf courses within an hour's drive of the city centre. Edmonton has professional hockey, football, baseball, and lacrosse teams.
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Just a few hours' drive west of Edmonton are Canada's majestic Rocky Mountains and the towns of Jasper and Banff, the Columbia Icefields, Lake Louise and other wonders. Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks is deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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The city is known as "Canada's Festival City" because of the 30 plus festivals held here annually each year. They include Freewill City Shakespeare Festival, Edmonton International Jazz Festival, The Works Art and Design Festival, Canada Day [July 1], Edmonton International Street Performers Festival, A Taste of Edmonton, Heritage Festival, Folk Music Festival, International Fringe Theatre [one of the world's largest], Blues Festival, and Symphony Under the Sky as well as Klondike Days exposition. Edmonton also has one of the sunniest climates in Canada.
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Links to suburban areas
This is a bedroom community in which some of our FFEA members live. Devon is surrounded by the beauty of the North Saskatchewan River Valley. Devon enjoys considerable tourism activity because many tourism attractions are located within 10 minutes of the Town.
Edmonton City Hall is a favourite gathering spot for Edmonton residents, especially in the summer. The city can boast the largest urban park area in Canada, with more than 160 kilometres of maintained pathways and 20 major parks, the River Valley is a natural wonder for all Edmontonians to be proud of. Edmonton is Canada’s oil capital with 2000 wells within 40 km of the city, and major oil refineries on its eastern outskirts
Fort Saskatchewan - 25 Km NE of Edmonton
This is a bedroom community in which some of our FFEA members live. Fort Saskatchewan was established in 1875 by the North-West Mounted Police (NWMP) as a fort on the North Saskatchewan River. The Fort is well known for its petrochemical facilities as well as for its flock of 50 sheep that are used to keep the grass trimmed in city parks throughout the summer months.
St. Albert - adjacent to Edmonton on NW side
St. Albert is located just north of Edmonton. It is a bedroom community in which many of our FF members live.
St. Albert, can trace its beginnings back to missionary Father Albert Lacombe, who built a log chapel in the Sturgeon River Valley in 1861 to minister to local Cree and Métis. The city has a population of over 61,000 residents, and is home to the largest outdoor Farmers Market in Western Canada.
Sherwood Park is adjacent to Edmonton on the East side
This is a bedroom community in which some of our FFEA members live. Sherwood Park is a popular place to settle for people who work in Edmonton but wish to get away from the urban sprawl. Primarily a residential community, Sherwood Park offers all the amenities that would be found in a typical suburb of a large city.
Spruce Grove - 11 Km West of Edmonton
This is a bedroom community in which some of our FFEA members live. Spruce Grove, Alberta’s 9th largest city, is on the Yellowhead Highway, which comes from Winnipeg, runs through Edmonton, and continues west through Jasper to the coast of British Columbia. Even though it has a population of only about 25,000, Spruce Grove has produced at least 7 professional hockey players.
January 03, 2023
Edmonton Eskimos won the championship last year (2016). Can they do it again this year?
February 23, 2023
This is our NHL Hockey Team, featuring Connor McDavid who is an upcoming star in the hockey world.