101 Facts About Calgary

Welcome to the most comprehensive guide to Calgary, Alberta on the internet. Updated for 2026, this pillar article covers everything from the city's humble beginnings at the confluence of two rivers to its modern status as a global energy and technology powerhouse. Whether you are researching for a school project, planning a visit, or just looking to test your local knowledge, these 101 facts cover history, culture, geography, and more.

Historical Foundations

1. Before European settlement, the Calgary area was inhabited by the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot Confederacy), the Tsuut'ina, and the Îyârhe Nakoda nations for over 10,000 years.
2. The city was officially founded in 1875 when the North-West Mounted Police established a post called Fort Calgary.
3. It was named by Colonel James Macleod after Calgary on the Isle of Mull in Scotland.
4. Calgary was incorporated as a town in 1884 and officially became a city in 1894.
5. A massive fire in 1886 destroyed much of the downtown core, leading to a new law requiring buildings to be made of sandstone.
6. Because of the 1886 rebuilding effort, Calgary earned the nickname the "Sandstone City."
7. The arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1883 put Calgary on the map, transforming it into a major agricultural hub.
8. During the early 1900s, the Canadian government offered free land to immigrants, sparking a massive population boom in Calgary and the surrounding prairies.
9. Alberta became a province in 1905, though Edmonton, not Calgary, was chosen as the capital, fueling a rivalry that lasts to this day.
10. The discovery of oil in the Turner Valley in 1914 began Calgary's long-standing relationship with the energy sector.
11. Calgary is Canada's first city to establish an official commercial airport (built in 1914).
12. The Leduc No. 1 oil strike in 1947 cemented Calgary's status as the energy capital of Canada.
13. Calgary's population surpassed one million for the first time in 2006.

Geography & Climate

14. Calgary sits at an elevation of 1,048 meters (3,438 feet) above sea level.
15. The city is located in the transition zone between the Canadian Rockies foothills and the Canadian Prairies.
16. Calgary is built at the confluence of two major rivers: the Bow River and the Elbow River.
17. It is the sunniest major city in Canada, averaging 333 sunny days per year.
18. Calgary experiences a unique weather phenomenon called a "Chinook" — a warm, dry winter wind from the Pacific that can raise temperatures by 20°C in a matter of hours.
19. Locals can often predict a Chinook by looking for a distinct "Chinook Arch" cloud formation in the western sky.
20. Calgary is situated in "Hailstorm Alley," an area notorious for devastating summer hailstorms.
21. Despite its cold winters, the city actually has a relatively dry climate, technically classified as a humid continental climate.
22. The city covers a massive land area of over 825 square kilometers, making its footprint larger than Toronto's.
23. Calgary is only an hour's drive from Banff National Park and the majestic Rocky Mountains.
24. Nose Hill Park, located in the northwest, is one of the largest municipal parks in North America, covering 11 square kilometers.
25. Fish Creek Provincial Park runs right through the southern part of the city, offering vast urban wildlife corridors.

The Calgary Stampede

26. The first Calgary Stampede was held in 1912, organized by American trick roper Guy Weadick.
27. Today, the Stampede is known as "The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth."
28. The 10-day event takes place every July and attracts over one million visitors from around the world.
29. During the Stampede, the entire city dresses in western wear, a tradition strongly upheld in Stampede City.
30. Hundreds of free pancake breakfasts are hosted across the city by businesses and community groups during the 10 days.
31. The Chuckwagon Races, a staple of the event, were invented at the Calgary Stampede in 1923.
32. The Stampede is driven by over 2,500 dedicated community volunteers.
33. It features the richest tournament-style rodeo in the world, with millions in prize money.
34. In 2013, massive floods submerged the Stampede grounds just weeks before the event, but the city rallied in a "Hell or High Water" campaign to ensure the show went on.
35. A First Nations village (Elbow River Camp) has been a vital, continuous part of the Stampede since its inception in 1912.

Economy & The 2026 Boom

36. Calgary has the highest concentration of corporate head offices per capita in Canada.
37. While famous for oil and gas, Calgary's economy in 2026 is rapidly diversifying, becoming a major hub for tech and clean energy.
38. Alberta is the only Canadian province without a provincial sales tax (PST), making shopping in Calgary highly appealing.
39. The city has one of the youngest and most highly educated populations in Canada.
40. The BMO Centre at Stampede Park recently completed a massive expansion, making it the largest convention centre in Western Canada.
41. Calgary's film and television industry is booming, famously serving as the filming location for hit shows like The Last of Us and Fargo.
42. The city is a global leader in agricultural technology (AgTech) and aviation.
43. Calgary consistently ranks in the top 10 most livable cities in the world by the Economist Intelligence Unit.
44. In 2026, major progress continues on the Green Line LRT, the largest infrastructure investment in Calgary's history.
45. Construction is heavily underway for "Scotia Place," the state-of-the-art event centre replacing the aging Saddledome.

Food & Culture

46. The famous Bloody Caesar cocktail was invented in Calgary in 1969 by bartender Walter Chell at the Calgary Inn.
47. Ginger Beef, a staple of western Chinese food, was invented in the 1970s at Calgary’s Silver Inn Restaurant.
48. Calgary is world-renowned for Alberta Beef, considered some of the highest-quality steak on the planet.
49. The "White Hat" is the symbol of Calgary hospitality; visiting dignitaries and celebrities are often "White Hatted" upon arrival.
50. The Glenbow Museum is one of the largest museums in Western Canada, housing over a million objects.
51. Calgary’s Central Library, opened in 2018, was named one of the most beautiful libraries in the world.
52. The city boasts a vibrant craft beer scene, with dozens of award-winning microbreweries clustered in neighborhoods like Inglewood.
53. Stephen Avenue is Calgary’s famous pedestrian mall, lined with historic sandstone buildings, high-end restaurants, and boutiques.
54. The National Music Centre at Studio Bell houses the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.
55. Calgary is home to the Honens International Piano Competition, one of the world's most prestigious classical music events.

Sports & Recreation

56. Calgary hosted the 1988 Winter Olympics, the first Winter Games ever held in Canada.
57. The famous Jamaican Bobsled team and British ski jumper "Eddie the Eagle" both made history at the '88 Calgary Games.
58. The Calgary Flames (NHL) won their only Stanley Cup in 1989.
59. The Calgary Stampeders (CFL) have won the Grey Cup 8 times.
60. Canada Olympic Park (COP) is still heavily used today for both elite athlete training and public skiing within city limits.
61. The Olympic Oval in Calgary is known as the "Fastest Ice in the World" due to its high altitude and advanced climate control.
62. Spruce Meadows, located just south of the city, is one of the premier equestrian show jumping facilities in the world.
63. Cavalry FC, Calgary’s professional soccer team, plays at ATCO Field at Spruce Meadows.
64. Calgary has the most extensive urban pathway and bikeway network in North America, spanning over 1,000 kilometers.
65. The Calgary Roughnecks play in the National Lacrosse League (NLL) and have won multiple championships.

Architecture & Infrastructure

66. The +15 Skyway is the world’s most extensive pedestrian skywalk system, connecting downtown buildings via 18 kilometers of enclosed bridges.
67. It is called the "+15" because the bridges are suspended approximately 15 feet above the ground.
68. The Calgary Tower, built in 1968, was originally called the Husky Tower.
69. During the 1988 Olympics, a massive gas cauldron burned at the very top of the Calgary Tower.
70. The Bow, an iconic crescent-shaped skyscraper, was the tallest building in Canada outside of Toronto when completed in 2012.
71. Brookfield Place is currently the tallest building in Calgary at 247 meters.
72. The Peace Bridge, a stunning red tubular pedestrian bridge designed by Santiago Calatrava, crosses the Bow River.
73. Calgary’s CTrain system was one of the first light rail transit systems in North America to be powered 100% by wind energy.
74. The "Wonderland" sculpture in front of the Bow Building is a massive 12-meter tall wire mesh head of a young girl.
75. The Saddledome’s unique inverse parabolic roof was designed to mimic a horse saddle, fitting the city's western theme.

Quirky Local Trivia

76. Alberta is famously completely free of rats, thanks to a strict government rat control program that started in the 1950s.
77. Calgary was named the "Cleanest City in the World" multiple times due to strict bylaws and civic pride.
78. The city has a neighborhood called "Roxboro" and another named "Rideau Park," showing a mix of unique local and national naming conventions.
79. There is a famous ghost story about the "Lady in White" at the Fairmont Palliser Hotel.
80. You can float down the Bow and Elbow rivers in a raft during the summer, a favorite local pastime.
81. The area around 17th Avenue SW is affectionately known as the "Red Mile" due to Flames fans partying there during the 2004 playoff run.
82. Calgary has more volunteers per capita than any other Canadian city.
83. It is illegal to throw a snowball or set off fireworks within the city without a permit.
84. In 2014, a local man tied over 100 helium balloons to a lawn chair and flew over the city, earning him the nickname "Balloonatic."
85. The Heritage Park Historical Village is Canada's largest living history museum.
86. Devonian Gardens is a massive indoor botanical garden located right inside a downtown shopping mall (The CORE).
87. Calgary has a bylaw that technically requires businesses to provide a place to tie up a horse.
88. In the winter, the city often floods outdoor fields to create free, community-run ice rinks.
89. The "Blue Ring" is a highly controversial, $470,000 piece of public art located on a bridge over Airport Trail.
90. Calgary is home to the first designated municipal urban reserve in Canada.
91. The city uses a herd of goats as an eco-friendly way to manage weeds in major parks like Confluence Park.
92. Calgary's zoo is one of the top zoos in North America and a world leader in conservation research.
93. Prince's Island Park was created entirely from gravel dredged out of the Bow River.
94. The local airport code, YYC, has become a widely used nickname for the city itself.
95. There are over 3,000 restaurants in Calgary, making it a highly underrated foodie destination.
96. Calgary's motto is "Onward," a perfect reflection of its resilient, forward-looking spirit.