Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada

View of Lethbridge, Alberta
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lethbridge_skyline_2.jpg
Author: Kmsiever
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Lethbridge is the fourth largest city in Alberta, Canada, after Calgary, Edmonton and Red Deer. Located in southern Alberta, it covers 122.36 sq km (47.24 sq mi) and has a population of 84,000 people (2012 estimate). It terms of area, it is the third largest city in Alberta behind Calgary and Edmonton.

The Lethbridge area was populated by various tribes of First Nations people including the Blackfoot, the Cree and the Nakoda. The history of Lethbridge goes back to the whiskey trading post established by John J. Healy and Alfred B. Hamilton at Fort Hamilton, near the site of the present city. The fort was nicknamed Fort Whoop-Up.

Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lethbridge_downtown.jpg
Author: Kmsiever
photo licensing

Lethbridge owed its development to the drift mines in the area. In 1896, the city was the largest coal producer in the then Northwest Territories. Coal mining was replaced by oil and gas production after World War I, but by 1957, the mines have all closed.

After a period of economic decline, Lethbridge began to grow again after the Second World War, buoyed by the growth of agriculture. Today it serves as the commercial, distribution and financial center for southern Alberta. It economy has also diversified to include health, education, retail and the hospitality sectors.

Located at 929 m (3,047 ft) above sea level, Lethbridge experiences cooler climate than other places in the Canadian Prairie. The climate is described as semi-arid. July is the warmest month with average high temperatures of 25.5°C (77.9°F). January is the coldest month, when average low temperatures drop to -13.8°C (7.2°F). Annual precipitation stands at 386.3 mm (15.2 in) with June being the wettest month.

Visiting Lethbridge

Lethbridge Airport (YQL) receives flights from Calgary and Edmonton. You can drive from the United States on Interstate 15, continuing on Canadian Highway 4 to reach the city.

Places of Interest in Lethbridge

Fort Whoop-Up National Historic Site
This is a near-exact replica of the original fort when whiskey and firearms were traded to the First Nations people in the area. Admission: Adults: C$7.00; Seniors (65+): C$6.00; Students (6-18): C$5.00; Children (0-5): free.
Helen Schuler Coulee Centre
Centre that provides information of the ecosystem of the coulee. Admission: free.
High Level Bridge
At 5,327 ft (1.6 km) long and 314 ft (96 m) high, this is the longest and highest trestle bridge in the world, built in 1908-09, and is today one of the city's best known landmarks.
Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden
Beautiful Japanese garden at corner of 9th Avenue South and Mayor Magrath Drive. Admission: Adults C$7.00, Students (6-17): C$4.00.
Sir Alexander Galt Museum & Archives
Museum with displays detailing the history of Lethbridge. Location: West of 5th Avenue South. Admission: Adults: C$5.00, Seniors (65+), IYH Members: C$4.00, Students (7-17): $3.00.
Southern Alberta Art Gallery
Gallery displaying the works of local contemporary artists. Location: 601 3rd Avenue South; Admission: varies.

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About this website

Hello and thanks for reading this page. My name is Timothy and my hobby is in describing places so that I can share the information with the general public. My website has become the go to site for a lot of people including students, teachers, journalists, etc. whenever they seek information on places, particularly those in Malaysia and Singapore. I have been doing this since 5 January 2003, for over twenty years already. You can read about me at Discover Timothy. By now I have compiled information on thousands of places, mostly in Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore, and I continue to add more almost every day. My goal is to describe every street in every town in Malaysia and Singapore.

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