Study and Live in Canada
Experience Canada's world-renowned hospitality as you live and study in a dynamic economic hub. Calgary is one of the safest and most multicultural cities in the country.
Most people know Calgary as the centre of Canada's energy industry, but it is so much more than that. A vibrant, urban city, Calgary is home to a world-class arts scene, a diverse population, and a globally recognized standard of living. Situated just a short distance from the Rocky Mountains, Calgary is perfect for work and play. Discover Calgary for yourself.
About Canada
Canada is the second-largest country in the world with an area of about 9,980,000 square km (3,894,500 square miles). The country has ten provinces and three territories, with a population of over 30,000,000.
Canadians are proud of their multicultural heritage. By law, all races and cultures have equal status and rights in the country. The official languages of Canada are English and French. English is the most commonly spoken language in Alberta.
About Calgary
Calgary is a vibrant, modern city located in the southern part of Alberta. With a population of 1.4 million, Calgary is the fourth-largest city in Canada. Calgary has a multicultural character and is very diverse; close to 150 different languages are spoken in the city. Calgary is well-known for its citizens' friendliness and hospitality, as well as the natural beauty of its surroundings. Calgary was recently rated the 5th most liveable city in the world by the Economist Intelligence Unit.
Calgary is situated in the eastern foothills of Canada's Rocky Mountains, where the Elbow and Bow Rivers meet. The city's close proximity to the mountains makes it a perfect location for outdoor activities such as skiing, skating, hiking, fishing, and cycling. Calgary also has a vibrant and eclectic arts scene, hosting many events and festivals throughout the year, in addition to fantastic restaurants, nightlife, shopping, sports and recreation facilities, and all the amenities you would expect of a modern and prosperous city.
Calgary is the sunniest major city in Canada, getting an average of 2,300 hours of sunshine per year. Whether hot or cold, you can almost always count on sunshine in the city.
Calgary's weather is varied and constantly changing, cycling through all four seasons throughout the year. Temperatures in Calgary are generally mild, especially compared to most other cities in Canada. In the summer, temperature highs are typically in the low-to-mid twenties (degrees Celsius), occasionally surpassing 30 degrees C, but cooling off comfortably in the evenings.
In the winter, temperatures can be very cold (lows reaching below -30 degrees C) or quite mild (highs above 10 degrees C), or anything in between. Typically, very cold temperatures only last for a few weeks per year.
One of Calgary's most distinct weather characteristics is the Chinook, a warm wind that blows in from the Pacific Ocean and can raise temperatures by 15 degrees (or even more!) in just a few hours, providing a pleasant relief from chilly winter weather.
The earliest known human settlers in the prairies where Calgary is situated lived here 12,000 years ago. Before European traders arrived, the area was the home of four main First Nation tribes in the Blackfoot Confederacy: the Peigan, the Blood, the Blackfoot, and the Tsuut’ina. It is thought that the first European to see the area was Hudson's Bay Company trader David Thompson, who arrived in 1787.
| 1875 | Northwest Mounted Police established Fort Calgary. This was the first permanent European settlement. |
| 1883 | The Canadian Pacific Railroad reached Calgary. The railroad crosses Canada from East to West. |
| 1884 | Joseph B. Tyrell discovered dinosaur fossils near Drumheller, attracting worldwide attention. |
| 1894 | Calgary was incorporated as a city. It had 2,500 citizens. |
| 1895 | The first well in search of natural gas was drilled. It was a dry hole. |
| 1909 | The first successful natural gas well drilled was dubbed "Old Glory". The well produced 2.2 million cubic metres of gas a day. |
| 1912 | The first Stampede was held in Calgary. It featured cowboys and cowgirls, rodeo riding, vaudeville acts, and the parade with Native Indians in full ceremonial dress. |
| 1914 | Oil was discovered in Turner Valley, just south of Calgary. |
| 1916 | The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) was established. Originally called the Provincial Institute of Technology and Arts, it was later changed to SAIT. |
| 1917 | Annie Gale was elected Alderman. She was the first woman in the British Empire elected to serve on a municipal council. |
| 1967 | The University of Calgary was established. |
| 1988 | Calgary hosted the Winter Olympics. |
| 2006 | Calgary's population reaches 1 million. |
