Edmontonis the capital ofAlberta, Canada.Edmonton's historic growth has been facilitated through the absorption of five adjacent urban municipalities (Strathcona,North Edmonton,West Edmonton,BeverlyandJasper Place)and a series of annexations ending in 1982. The cityserves as the northern anchor of theCalgary–Edmonton Corridor.Known as the "Gateway to the North",the city is a staging point for large-scaleoil sandsprojects occurring innorthern Albertaand large-scalediamondmining operations in theNorthwest Territories.
Edmonton is a cultural, governmental and educational centre. It hosts a year-round slate of festivals, reflected in the nickname "Canada's Festival City".It is home to North America's largest mall,West Edmonton Mall(the world's largest mall from 1981 until 2004),andFort Edmonton Park, Canada's largest living history museum.
