With a safe and clean environment, Calgary provides residents and guests with one of the highest quality-of-life rankings in Canada. So put on your cowboy hat and boots and bust out to explore the city. Experience a lively music scene from folk to funk, visit a casino, the science centre or the zoo to learn about animals native to North America and unique Canadian habitats. Hit the links at a driving range or golf on one of the 25 city courses. Dance, theatre, museums, art galleries, unique shopping experiences, dining, spas and even guest ranches are close by. You can practically do it all without having to leave the city.

For more information, visit these links:

 http://www.tourismcalgary.com/
 http://www.calgaryattractions.com/
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calgary/
 
Calgary is a vibrant city, filled with unique shopping and sight-seeing experiences. It's easy to fill a day with an artistic, cultural or outdoor adventure.

Fill a day:
Calaway Park: Western Canada's largest outdoor Family Amusement Park
Calgary Tower: Take a trip to the top of Calgary's most famous and identifiable physical landmark
Calgary Zoo: Tour the wilds of Africa or the Arctic at one of North America's Top 10 zoos
Fort Calgary Historic Park:  Learn about the birthplace of Calgary, and the historic fort where it all began 
Heritage Park: Canada's largest living historical village 
Spruce Meadows Equestrian Centre: World famous equestrian and show jumping facility
Calgary TELUS World of Science:  Children of all ages can explore the magic of science with interactive displays and exhibits 
Canada Olympic Park:  Overlook the city from the tea house at the top of the ski jump tower, explore the Canadian Olympic museum, take a short ride down the bobsled track - all at the site of the 1988 Winter Olympics 

Fill a shopping bag:
Inglewood: An historic district with antiques, modern furniture, and art with a uniquely Calgary feel
Kensington: Calgary's "Village in the City" has it all - shops, restaurants and services from cheap to chic 
17th Avenue SW: "Uptown 17" is Calgary's urban shopping experience - recognized as one of Canada's top retail streets 
Stephen Avenue: A major pedestrian mall located at your doorstep in the heart of downtown, known for restaurants, high-end department stores and pubs

History of Calgary
Before Calgary was settled by white Europeans, it was the domain of the Blackfoot natives, whose presence has been traced back 11,000 years. The first recorded European presence in the region around Calgary took place in 1787 and by 1860 settlers began arriving to hunt buffalo and sell illegal whisky. In response, Canada's first Prime Minister sent a troop of Royal Canadian Mounted Police (the "Mounties") to impose the law and make the Prairies suitable for immigration. As a result of this, the sleepy little trading post of Fort Calgary was born. It was named by Colonel James Macleod after Calgary Bay on the Isle of Mull, Scotland. The settlement did not experience much in the way of population growth until the arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1883 and it was not until 1894 that Calgary became a city. 1914 was the year that Calgary experienced its most significant development: the discovery of oil in the Turner Valley, 35 km (22 miles) southwest of the city. Overnight, Calgary became a boomtown, attracting settlers and investors and generating massive amounts of money. Additional oil discoveries throughout the century saw continued growth in the city that became the administrative centre for the Canadian oil industry.

In recent times, Calgary has come to represent rapid growth and unlimited potential. Today Calgary is the fastest growing city in Canada.

Calgary Facts

• Calgary has 1.04 million people and is located 1,139 m (3,740 ft) above sea level
• Average weather in late May/early June: Temperatures: high 17C (62F), low 3C (37F). Precipitation: 53.3 mm (2.1").
• Canada's best selling cocktail is the Bloody Caesar which was invented in Calgary
• The city of Calgary leads Canada for technology start-up companies and internet connections with over 187,000 km of fibre optics
• It is the distribution and transportation hub for western Canada
• With 95 corporate head offices, Calgary is the second largest head office city in Canada
• Calgary has the youngest, best educated workforce in Canada - 60% of Calgarians have post-secondary education
• There are over 8,000 hectares of park land within the city limits
• Every year over one million people visit the Greatest Outdoor Show On Earth - the Calgary Stampede
• Home to professional sports - the Calgary Flames hockey team and the Calgary Stampeders football team