View source for Geography of Alberta

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{{Use Canadian English|date=January 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Country geography <!-- Adapted for Province use -->
|name = Alberta
|map = AB-Relief.jpg
|continent = [[North America]]
|region = [[Western Canada]]<br/>[[Canadian Prairies]]
|coordinates = {{Coord|54|59|30|N|114|22|36|W|type:adm1st_scale:30000000_region:CA-AB|notes=<ref>{{cite cgndb|IAQFZ|Alberta}}</ref>|display=inline,title}}
|area ranking = 6th among provinces and territories
|km area = 661848
|percent land = 97.05
|km coastline = 0
|borders = [[Land borders|Total land borders]]: United States [[Montana]]; Canada [[British Columbia]], [[Saskatchewan]] and [[Northwest Territories]]
|highest point = [[Mount Columbia (Canada)|Mount Columbia]]<br />{{cvt|3747|m}}
|lowest point = [[Slave River]]<br />{{cvt|210|m}}
|longest river = [[Athabasca River]]<br />{{cvt|1231|km}}
|largest lake = [[Lake Athabasca]]<br /> {{cvt|2295|km}}
}}

'''Alberta''' is one of the thirteen [[provinces and territories of Canada|provinces and territories]] of Canada.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|date=1 April 2011|title=Get to know Canada – Provinces and territories|url=https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/new-immigrants/prepare-life-canada/provinces-territories.html|access-date=2020-10-16|website=aem}}</ref> Located in [[Western Canada]], the province has an area of {{cvt|661190|km2}} and is bounded to the south by the United States state of [[Montana]] along [[49th parallel north|49° north]] for {{cvt|298|km}}; to the east at [[110th meridian west|110° west]] by the province of [[Saskatchewan]] for {{cvt|1223|km}}; and at [[60th parallel north|60° north]] the [[Northwest Territories]] for {{cvt|644|km}}. The southern half of the province borders [[British Columbia]] along the [[Continental Divide of the Americas]] on the peaks of the [[Rocky Mountains]], while the northern half borders British Columbia along the [[120th meridian west]]. Along with Saskatchewan it is one of only two landlocked provinces or territories.

==Terrain==
[[File:Farm Hwy 37 Alberta Canada 02A.jpg|thumb|left|Grain farm on prairie northwest of Edmonton, Alberta.]]
[[Alberta]]'s landscape is marked by the impact of the [[Wisconsin glaciation|Wisconsin Glaciation]], about 75,000 to 11,000 years ago, when the entire future province was covered in ice. As the ice sheet receded, the landscape was changed, and large amounts of [[Till|glacial till]] were left behind.

The southern portion consists chiefly of [[plain]]s that are almost entirely treeless. As the slopes of the [[Rocky Mountains]] to the west are reached, more trees are found until in the [[Rocky Mountain Foothills|foothills of the mountains]], bodies of forest timber occur. Trees also become more numerous in the northern part of the province, until in the region north of the [[North Saskatchewan River]] continuous forests are met with again. From the southern boundary line for 2.5° north the prairie is dry, but of good soil, which grows excellent crops when irrigated. North of this region, the surface of the province is of the most fertile soil, with ordinary rainfall sufficing for agriculture. Alberta also has large [[oil reserves]], especially in the [[Athabasca oil sands]] in the north of the province.

The appearance of the prairie section of the province is that of undulating [[grassland]]s, with rounded sloping ridges covered with shorter [[grass]]es, which serve for the support of large herds of [[beef cattle]]. The wooded portions of the terrain are dotted with clumps and belts of trees of moderate size, giving them a park-like appearance. In winter it is generally very cold, but this is occasionally reduced by a warm wind from the west, known as the [[Chinook wind|Chinook]].

In 1986, [[Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada|Agriculture Canada]] published a map listing the following physiographic regions to be present at least partially within Alberta:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://open.alberta.ca/publications/physiographic-subdivisions-of-alberta |title=Physiographic subdivisions of Alberta|date=1 January 1986|access-date=24 January 2022}}</ref>

*[[Canadian Shield]]
**[[Kazan Region|Kazan Upland]]
**[[Athabasca Plain]]
*[[Interior Plains]]
**[[Northern Plains (Alberta)|Northern Plains]]
**[[Saskatchewan Plains]]
**[[Northern Alberta Lowlands]]
**[[Eastern Alberta Plains]]
**[[Western Alberta Plains]]
**[[Northern Alberta Uplands]]
**[[Southern Alberta Uplands]]
*[[North American Cordillera|Cordilleran Region]]
**[[Rocky Mountain Foothills]]
**[[Rocky Mountains]]

==Mountains==
{{Main|List of mountains of Alberta}}
[[File:Mts. Columbia & King Edward.jpg|thumb|Mount Columbia and [[Mount King Edward|King Edward]] in background]]
From a distance of about {{cvt|100|km}} the mountains are constantly in view in clear weather. They appear as a line of snowy peaks along the western horizon. This continues for hundreds of kilometres northwestward. The [[Canadian Rockies]] are ascended by a gradual approach from the east, but are exceedingly abrupt on their transalpine slope in British Columbia. The peaks of these mountains are majestic, many of them reaching a height of more than {{cvt|3000|m}} above the sea. Among the more notable of these are:

#[[Mount Columbia (Canada)|Mount Columbia]] – {{cvt|3,747|m}}
#[[North Twin Peak|Twin Peaks massif]] – {{cvt|3,684|m}}
#[[Mount Alberta]] – {{cvt|3,619|m}}
#[[Mount Forbes]] – {{cvt|3,612|m}}
#[[Mount Temple (Alberta)|Mount Temple]] – {{cvt|3,543|m}}
#[[Mount Brazeau]] – {{cvt|3,525|m}}
#[[Snow Dome (Canada)|Snow Dome]] – {{cvt|3,520|m}}
#[[Mount Lyell (Canada)|Mount Lyell]] – {{cvt|3,504|m}}
#[[Mount Kitchener]] – {{cvt|3,505|m}}
#[[Mount Hungabee]] – {{cvt|3,492|m}}

Historical travelling through these mountains was difficult, and alpine passes became very important. The most noted of the Alberta passes are:

* The [[Crowsnest Pass]], near the southern boundary line, through which a branch of the [[Canadian Pacific Railway]] runs.
* The [[Kicking Horse Pass]], through which the main line of the Canadian Pacific Railway was built; {{cvt|80|mi|order=flip}} from the eastern end of this pass is the gate of [[Banff National Park]], with the famous touristic town of [[Banff, Alberta|Banff]] as its centre.
* The [[Yellowhead Pass]], running west from the [[Athabasca River]]; this pass was discovered by [[John Palliser]] (1858), was crossed by the first tourists, [[William Wentworth-Fitzwilliam, Viscount Milton]] and [[Walter Butler Cheadle]], in 1861, and by [[Sandford Fleming]] (1871–1872) in the Ocean to Ocean expedition;

The [[Caribou Mountains (Alberta)|Caribou Mountains]] are not part of the Canadian Rockies, but are located in the [[northern Alberta]], constituting an elevated plateau in the northern plains. They reach an altitude of {{cvt|1030|m}}, almost {{cvt|700|m}} higher than the surrounding area.

While not considered mountains, the [[Cypress Hills (Canada)|Cypress Hills]], located in [[southern Alberta]], on the Saskatchewan border, constitutes the highest point between the Rocky Mountains and [[Labrador]]. They reach a maximum elevation of {{cvt|1468|m}}, {{cvt|600|m}} above the surrounding prairie.

==Water==
{{See also|List of rivers of Alberta|List of lakes of Alberta}}
[[File:Alberta rivers.png|300px|thumb|Hydrographic network of Alberta]]
With the exception of the southern section, the province of Alberta is well watered. Rising from numerous valleys on the Alberta declivity of the Rocky Mountains between the international boundary line and 52°  north are streams which unite to form the [[Oldman River]], and farther north the [[Bow River]]. Running eastward these two rivers unite about 112° west, and flow on under the name of the [[South Saskatchewan River]]. North of 52° north many small streams unite to form the [[Red Deer River]], which flowing southeastward joins the South Saskatchewan near 110° west. Between 52° and 53° north rises the great river, the [[North Saskatchewan River]]. It receives a southern tributary, the [[Battle River]], which joins it about 108° west. Pursuing their courses eastward the North and South Saskatchewan rivers unite in the [[Saskatchewan River]] ({{langx|cr-Latn|kisiskāciwani-sīpiy}}, "swift flowing river"), which finds its way to [[Lake Winnipeg]], and thence by way of [[Nelson River]] to [[Hudson Bay]]. It is one of the mightiest rivers of the continent.

At [[Mount Athabasca]], there is an unusual occurrence where the water flows either to the [[Pacific Ocean]] on the western slope, the [[Arctic Ocean]] on the northeast, and Hudson Bay on the southeast.

In the northern part of the province, between 53° and 54° north, all the waters of Alberta flow toward the Arctic Ocean. Starting at Mount Athabasca, the [[Athabasca River]] runs north and empties into [[Lake Athabasca]] near 58° north. North of 56° north flows through and from the Rocky Mountains as the [[Peace River]]. After descending northeastward to within a few miles of Lake Athabasca, it is met by a stream emerging from that lake. The united river carrying down the waters of the Athabasca slope is called the [[Slave River]], which, passing through [[Great Slave Lake]], emerges as the great [[Mackenzie River]], which flows into the Arctic Ocean. Alberta thus gives rise to the two great rivers, the Saskatchewan and the Mackenzie.

While a number of [[fresh water]], or in some cases [[brackish water|brackish]], lakes each less than {{cvt|260|km2}} in extent are situated in Alberta, two of more considerable size are found. These are Lake Athabasca, {{cvt|7898|km2}} in extent, of which the greater part is in Saskatchewan, and the other [[Lesser Slave Lake]] {{cvt|1168|km2}} in area.

==Climate==
[[File:Alberta Köppen.svg|thumb|left|300px|Köppen climate types in Alberta]]
[[File:Palliser's Triangle map.png|thumb|300px|Map of Palliser's Triangle.]]
As Alberta extends for approximately {{cvt|1200|km}} from north to south, it is natural that the climate should vary considerably between parallels of [[49th parallel north|49°]] and [[60th parallel north|60° north]] and also between approximately [[110th meridian west|110°]] and [[120th meridian west|120°]] west. It is also further influenced by the different altitudes found in the province.

In general, Alberta's climate is dry, due to the [[rain shadow]] effect of the [[Rocky Mountains]] and [[Pacific Coast Ranges]] to the west, and [[Continental climate|continental]], due to its distance from any large body of water. The contrast between warming, dry winds descending from the Rockies and proximate cold air in [[Yukon]], however, gives Alberta (and the adjacent [[Mackenzie River|Mackenzie Basin]]) during the winter the highest variability in monthly temperatures anywhere in the world.<ref>See Szeto Kit K. (2008) 'Variability of Cold-Season Temperatures in the Mackenzie Basin', in: Woo M. (eds) ''Cold Region Atmospheric and Hydrologic Studies. The Mackenzie GEWEX Experience''. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-73936-4_4</ref> Exceptionally warm winter months in the province can be as warm as [[oceanic climate]]s at similar latitudes – for instance [[Edmonton]] averaged {{cvt|1.1|C}} in February 1977 – whereas the coldest winter months like January 1950 when Edmonton averaged {{cvt|&minus;27.8|C}} are comparably cold to such Siberian localities as [[Aldan, Russia|Aldan]], [[Sakha Republic|Sakha]].

===Southern Alberta===
Most of [[Southern Alberta]] east of the Rockies and outside of the [[Cypress Hills (Canada)|Cypress Hills]], especially [[Palliser's Triangle]], is a dry [[steppe]], with most locations having an annual average [[precipitation]] of 280-430mm. Under the [[Köppen climate classification]], most places in Southern Alberta are either [[Semi-arid climate|semi-arid]] (Köppen climate classification ''[[Semi-arid climate#Cold semi-arid climates|''BSk'']]''), or [[Humid continental climate|humid continental]] (Köppen climate classification ''[[Humid continental climate#Warm summer subtype|Dfb]]'')<ref name="Köppen Map NA">{{cite web|url=https://people.eng.unimelb.edu.au/mpeel/Koppen/North_America.jpg|title=Köppen Climate Classification Map of North America|access-date=2010-08-20}}</ref> (the "humid" designation denotes that these climates do not meet the criteria to be semi-arid, not that they necessarily have high humidity levels). Most places in Southern Alberta that fall under the "humid continental" classification are close to the borderline between semi-arid and humid continental. The other climates in this area are [[Monsoon continental climate|semi-monsoonal humid continental]] (Koppen: ''Dwb'') located around [[Calgary]], or subarctic (Koppen: ''Dfc'') located in high elevation areas and the Cypress Hills. This region has the hottest summer temperatures in Alberta and quite cold winters, though [[chinook wind]]s ameliorate the cold winter temperatures temporarily when they pass over. The natural vegetation of this region is mainly dry [[mixed grass prairie]], grading to mixed grass prairie, and then [[Festuca|fescue]] prairie as precipitation increases with higher altitude and / or latitude.<ref name="Natural Regions">{{cite web |url=http://www.albertaparks.ca/pubsandmedia/nsr2005_final_letter.pdf |title=Natural Regions and Subregions of Alberta Map |access-date=2010-08-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100821074549/http://www.albertaparks.ca/pubsandmedia/nsr2005_final_letter.pdf |archive-date=21 August 2010 }}</ref> This area is prone to drought and farming here is not successful without significant [[irrigation]].
{{Calgary weatherbox}}
{{Medicine Hat weatherbox}}

===Central Alberta===
[[Central Alberta]] has a dry [[continental climate]], with most places falling under the humid continental classification (Köppen climate classification ''Dfb''), though some areas in the southeast of this region, close to the border with [[Saskatchewan]] around [[Oyen]], are semi-arid (Köppen ''BSk'').<ref name="Köppen Map NA"/> Precipitation levels here are generally higher than in Southern Alberta, though the driest areas of Alberta, around [[Empress, Alberta|Empress]], are in Central Alberta. This region generally has cooler temperatures than Southern Alberta in both summer and winter, due to the decreased amount of [[Solar irradiance|solar radiation]] received, and the lower frequency of chinooks blowing through the region. After [[Southern Ontario]], Central Alberta is the region in Canada most likely to experience [[tornado]]es. Most of Central Alberta is covered by [[aspen parkland]], but the driest areas have mixedgrass and even dry mixed grass prairie, while the wetter and/or cooler areas are covered in [[Taiga|mixed boreal forest]].<ref name="Natural Regions"/> The wetter parts of this region, around Edmonton, have some of the most fertile land in the [[Canadian Prairies]].
{{Edmonton City Centre weatherbox}}
{{Oyen Cappon weatherbox}}

===Northern Alberta===
[[Northern Alberta]] is the coldest region of Alberta, with most places having a [[subarctic climate]] (Köppen climate classification ''Dfc'') though some areas in the south of this region, as well as much of the [[Peace River Country]], have a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification ''Dfb'').<ref name="Köppen Map NA"/> Winters in Northern Alberta are long, and cold, while summers are short and warm. Precipitation levels are generally lower than Central Alberta and similar to Southern Alberta, but lower [[evapotranspiration]] results in there being greater effective precipitation than Southern Alberta. Natural vegetation in Northern Alberta consists primarily of mixed and [[conifer]]ous taiga, with aspen parkland in the Peace River Country.<ref name="Natural Regions"/> With the exception of the Peace River Country, this region is generally quite poor for agriculture.
{{Grande Prairie weatherbox}}
{{High Level weatherbox}}

===Rocky Mountains and Cypress Hills===
Lower elevations of the [[Rocky Mountains]] and all but the highest elevations of the [[Cypress Hills (Canada)|Cypress Hills]] have a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification ''Dfb'').<ref name="Köppen Map NA"/> These areas have snowy but mild winters due to the warming effect of chinook winds, and cool summers due to their high elevation. As altitude increases and the [[Montane ecosystems#Subalpine zone|subalpine]] zone is reached, this grades into a subarctic climate (Köppen climate classification ''Dfc''),<ref name="Köppen Map NA"/> with harsher winters and even cooler summers. Above the [[tree line]], an [[alpine climate]] (Köppen climate classification ''ETH'') prevails. Conditions this high are even colder and very windy. Precipitation is higher in these elevated regions than elsewhere in Alberta, and this supports forests of [[Pinus contorta|lodgepole pine]] and [[Populus tremuloides|trembling aspen]] mixed with fescue grasslands in the [[Montane ecosystems|montane]] areas, [[Picea engelmannii|Engelmann spruce]] and [[Abies lasiocarpa|subalpine fir]] forests in the subalpine zone, and [[Erica (plant)|heather]], [[Cyperaceae|sedges]] and [[Dryas octopetala|mountain avens]] in the [[Alpine tundra|alpine zone]] above the tree lines.
{{Lake Louise weatherbox}}
{{Cypress Hills weatherbox}}

== Ecology ==

=== Lists of ecological regions and zones ===
According to the provincial government's Natural Regions Committee, the following natural regions and subregions are found in Alberta:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://open.alberta.ca/publications/0778545725 |title = Natural regions and subregions of Alberta |author-first1=D.J. |author-last1=Downing|author-first2=W.W. |author-last2=Pettapiece|date=2006}}</ref>
* [[Rocky Mountains]]
**[[Alpine tundra|Alpine]]
**[[Montane ecosystems#Subalpine zone|Subalpine]]
**[[Montane ecosystems|Montane]]
*[[Rocky Mountain Foothills|Foothills]]
**[[Upper Foothills]]
**[[Lower Foothills]]
*[[Grassland]]
**[[Mixed grass prairie|Dry Mixedgrass]]
**[[Mixed grass prairie|Mixedgrass]]
**[[Northern Fescue]]
**[[Foothills Fescue]]
*[[Aspen parkland|Parkland]]
**[[Foothills Parkland]]
**[[Central Parkland]]
**[[Peace River Country|Peace River Parkland]]
*[[Boreal forest of Canada|Boreal Forest]]
**[[Dry Mixedwood]]
** [[Central Mixedwood]]
** [[Lower Boreal Highlands]]
** [[Upper Boreal Highlands]]
** [[Athabasca Plain]]
** [[Peace–Athabasca Delta]]
** [[Northern Mixedwood]]
** [[Boreal Subarctic]]
* [[Canadian Shield]]
** [[Kazan Region|Kazan Upland]]

According to the [[Commission for Environmental Cooperation]] and [[Environment and Climate Change Canada]], the following [[Ecozones of Canada|Canadian ecozones]] are found in Alberta:
* [[Boreal Plains Ecozone (CEC)]]
* [[Boreal Shield Ecozone (CEC)]]
* [[Montane Cordillera|Montane Cordillera Ecozone (CEC)]]
* [[Prairies Ecozone]]
* [[Taiga Plains Ecozone (CEC)]]
* [[Taiga Shield Ecozone (CEC)]]

According to the [[World Wide Fund for Nature]], the following [[List of ecoregions in Canada (WWF)|Canadian ecoregions]] are found in Alberta:
* [[Alberta Mountain forests]]
* [[Alberta–British Columbia foothills forests]]
* [[Aspen parkland|Canadian aspen forests and parklands]]
* [[North Central Rockies forests]]
* [[Northern mixed grasslands]]
* [[Northern short grasslands]]
* [[Mid-Continental Canadian forests]]
* [[Montana valley and foothill grasslands]]
* [[Muskwa–Slave Lake forests]]

==See also==
{{Portal|Geography|Canada}}
*[[Geography of Canada]]
*[[Glacial Lake Bassano]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070918104158/http://www.alberta.ca/home/90.cfm Government of Alberta: Climate and Geography]
* [https://www.albertaparks.ca/media/6256258/natural-regions-subregions-of-alberta-a-framework-for-albertas-parks-booklet.pdf Alberta Parks Natural Regions and Subregions of Alberta]

{{Alberta|regions=yes}}
{{Topics on Alberta}}
{{Alberta parks}}
{{Alberta rivers and lakes}}
{{Canada Geography}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Geography of Alberta}}
[[Category:Geography of Alberta| ]]