Calgary

Calgary is an attractive and dynamic city situated on the banks of the Bow River at the point where the vast Canadian prairie meets the jagged, snow-capped peaks of the Rocky Mountains. Calgary offers visitors the best of two exciting worlds – stimulating big city life and wilderness adventure and visitor attractions, sophisticated shopping, symphony ballet, opera and professional sports teams are guaranteed to keep everyone entertained.

The Calgary Stampede in July is undoubtedly Calgary's best-known visitor attraction. This event, also known as "The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth", features a large parade and world-class rodeo, and draws more than a million people each year. Other attractions, including the Glenbow Museum, Calgary Tower and Eau Claire Market are other great places to visit.

The Rocky Mountains and, in particular, Banff National Park, attract thousands more who are drawn by the park's stunning alpine beauty and its famous hotels - The Banff Springs Hotel and the Chateau Lake Louise. As the popularity of winter leisure sports (such as downhill skiing and bobsleighing) have increased, so has Calgary's own popularity, all culminating in the city's hosting of the XV Olympic Winter Games in 1988.