Map of Southern Alberta

Description:
This map shows cities, towns, villages, rivers, lakes, parks, highways, main roads, and secondary roads in Southern Alberta.

About Southern Alberta

Southern Alberta constitutes the southernmost region of Alberta, Canada, bordered by the United States to the south, Saskatchewan to the east, and British Columbia to the west. The region is characterized by prairie grasslands, the Rocky Mountain foothills, and a semi-arid climate.

Geography and Topography

The landscape transitions from the Rocky Mountains and foothills in the west to flat or gently rolling prairie grasslands in the east. The region includes portions of the grassland, parkland, and Rocky Mountain natural regions. Major river systems include the Bow River, Oldman River, and South Saskatchewan River, which form crucial water sources in this relatively dry area. Elevation ranges from approximately 700 meters above sea level in the eastern prairies to over 3,000 meters in the Rocky Mountains.

Climate

Southern Alberta experiences a semi-arid continental climate with significant temperature variations. Chinook winds, warm föhn winds descending from the Rocky Mountains, can cause dramatic winter temperature increases of 20 to 30 degrees Celsius within hours. The region receives less precipitation than other parts of Alberta, typically 300 to 450 millimeters annually. Summers are warm with long daylight hours, while winters can be cold but are often moderated by chinooks.

Major Cities and Towns

Calgary is the largest city in Southern Alberta and serves as the region's economic and cultural center. Lethbridge is the second-largest city in the region, located in the heart of agricultural country. Medicine Hat, situated in the southeast, developed around natural gas resources. Other significant municipalities include Okotoks, Airdrie, Brooks, Taber, Pincher Creek, Fort Macleod, and Crowsnest Pass.

Economy

The economy of Southern Alberta is diverse and includes significant contributions from multiple sectors. Agriculture remains fundamental, with the region producing cattle, wheat, barley, canola, and specialty crops. Extensive irrigation systems, particularly along the Bow and Oldman rivers, support intensive crop production. The oil and gas industry maintains a strong presence, with Calgary serving as the headquarters for numerous energy companies. Tourism related to the Rocky Mountains, national parks, and cultural attractions generates substantial economic activity. Manufacturing, technology, and financial services sectors have grown significantly in recent decades, particularly in Calgary.

Indigenous History and Heritage

The Blackfoot Confederacy, comprising the Siksika, Kainai, and Piikani nations, maintains traditional territories in Southern Alberta. Other Indigenous groups with historical connections to the region include the Stoney Nakoda and Tsuut'ina nations. Treaty 7, signed in 1877, covers most of Southern Alberta. Several reserves are located throughout the region, and Indigenous cultural sites including writing-on-stone formations and buffalo jumps preserve thousands of years of history.