What is Calgary Famous For?

Calgary is a location that most people have at least heard of before, even if they don't know exactly what the city is famous for. Those who live outside of Calgary may have vague associations of the Olympics, hockey, or its impressive mountain scenery. But there's more to it than that. It's time to set the record straight on why Calgary has made a mark on both residents and its many yearly visitors. Find out more about what makes Calgary so special and how to get the most out of a trip to this stunning place.

Quality of Life in Calgary

Calgary is the largest city in Alberta and the fifth largest in Canada. The city is found on the Bow River and about 80 kilometres from the Canadian Rocky Mountains. With a population of nearly 1.1 million, this is a very large city with a variety of residents.

Calgary ranks high for quality of living according to the Mercer Quality of Living Surveys and is listed as one of the cleanest cities in the world by Forbes Magazine. Along with these awards, Calgary was ranked as the best city overall to live in Canada by MoneySense and the fifth best in the world by Economist Intelligence Unit.

Some of the things Calgary is known for include:

• The Canadian Pacific Railway Headquarters
• The Calgary Fire of 1886
• The Calgary Stampede
• Calgary Flames - NHL Hockey Team
• Red Mile - Sea of Red Jerseys during the NHL playoffs of 2004
• Hosting the 1988 Winter Olympics
• Hosting the 2009 World Water Ski Championship
• Calgary Stampeders - CFL Football Team

Water and Mountains

Calgary is located in the Southwestern part of Canada and stands at the fifth largest city in all of Canada with around 1.1 million people. Located on the Bow River just 80 km from the Rocky Mountains, it's one of the cleanest cities in the entire world (as rated by Forbes). Outdoor lovers from all over the world come to Calgary to test their hand at everything from white water rafting to ice fishing to bobsledding.

It's no wonder that Calgary was chosen as the location for the 1988 Winter Olympics and the 2009 World Water Ski Championship. There are few places in the world that have both the beauty and the infrastructure so residents and visitors can really enjoy themselves.

Summertime Fun

One of Calgary's more famous yearly events is the Calgary Stampede. Run by a not-for-profit organization, the event's purpose is to preserve the culture and history of the west. This festival is a celebration of all things Calgary, featuring everything from big-name concerts to rodeo shows. This 10-day event attracts about a million visitors every year to this incredible city. While the major headliners can be found in early July, visitors can find events all-year round. Whether coming for the parades or the exciting rodeo round-ups, visitors will be delighted to see the many attractions in this amazing city.

Attractions Found in Calgary

• Olympic Plaza
• The Core Shopping Centre
• Eau Claire Market
• Calgary Zoo
• Telus Spark
• Telus Convention Centre
• Calgary Tower
• Military Museum
• EPCOR Centre
• Prince's Island Park
• Glenbow Museum
• Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
• Scotiabank Saddledome
• And Many More!

This is a very attractive city and it's growing. An active arts and culture scene, plenty of top concerts and a number of great schools make Calgary a great place for families, couples, singles and retirees.

Railway Headquarters

The Canadian Pacific was first incorporated in 1881, and the organization chose Calgary as its headquarters. History buffs will appreciate coming to Calgary to learn more about how the city's location, engineering prowess, and people changed and shaped transportation as we know it. This track runs for 20,000 km in both Canada and the US, and served major cities like New York City, Chicago, Vancouver, and Montreal. Today, the railroad still services various rural areas throughout the country.

Fires and Miles

There are two major types of flames that Calgary is known for. One is a fire that took place in the late 1800s and destroyed more than $100,000 worth of property. However, the more famous Calgary Flames refer to its existing NHL Hockey team. This sport is the defining activity of Canada, combining the citizens' mastery over the cold climate with their love of athleticism. In 2004, a stretch of 17 Avenue SW in Calgary was nicknamed the Red Mile after the Flames faced off against Tampa Bay during the Stanley Cup playoffs. With so many red jerseys there to represent the Flames, the entire street turned crimson with adoring fans.

Coming to Calgary isn't just a chance to celebrate winter in all its glory, it's an opportunity to learn more about how the city's history and ingenuity influenced everyone and everything around it. Whether coming to ski or to watch a legendary hockey game, there are so many activities for visitors to see why Calgary is as famous as it is.

Industries Found in Calgary

Along with the history and attractions, Calgary is known for many industries including:

• Agriculture
• Manufacturing
• Trade
• Finance
• Business Services
• Health and Education

Top companies found in the area include BP Canada Suncor Energy, Shell Canada, Nova Chemicals, Telus, Shaw Communications and Dow Chemical Canada. These are all huge employers in the area, along with the University of Calgary and the Calgary Board of Education.

It's hard to narrow it down to just one thing. Calgary is known for many different things and a city worth discovering.