{"id":4906,"date":"2020-06-22T15:54:49","date_gmt":"2020-06-22T19:54:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.explorica.ca\/blog\/?page_id=4906"},"modified":"2020-06-22T15:54:49","modified_gmt":"2020-06-22T19:54:49","slug":"alberta-learning-home","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.explorica.ca\/blog\/alberta-learning-home","title":{"rendered":"Alberta: Learning at Home"},"content":{"rendered":"

Learn the province
\n<\/strong>The flag of Alberta<\/a> is represented by a blue background with the provincial shield placed in the middle. The shield has many layers, the top of which is a red cross representing King George III to illustrate British heritage. The other layers are representative of the province\u2019s diverse and widely recognizable landscape: blue skies, the Rocky Mountains, green valleys, prairies, and golden wheat fields.<\/p>\n

Alberta\u2019s coat of arms uses the same provincial shield as the flag, with several additional symbols. Sitting atop the crest is a beaver wearing a crown and red and white wreath. The beaver is the official animal of Canada, and red and white represent the Canadian flag. On either side of the beaver is a lion, representing power, and an antelope, representing the province\u2019s natural resources. The crest sits atop a bed of wild roses, Alberta\u2019s official flower, with the words \u2018Fortis et Liber\u2019 written across the bottom, meaning strong and free.<\/p>\n

Study some history
\n<\/strong>Alberta was formed in 1905 as the seventh province of Canada, and shortly afterward Edmonton was named its capital. The name Alberta was adopted from Queen Victoria\u2019s fourth daughter, Princess Louise Caroline Alberta<\/a>, who is also the namesake for Banff\u2019s iconic Lake Louise.<\/p>\n

There have been three major waves that were vital to the settlement and growth of Alberta\u2019s population and development as an important economic hub. The first large wave of settlers can be traced back to the cattle ranchers who travelled north from the United States to set up their operations. The next major wave, and probably more noteworthy, was the construction of the countries railroad system, as well as the government\u2019s homesteader grants (of which around 40,000 were handed out).<\/p>\n

The most significant wave and source of socio-economic change in Alberta\u2019s history, however, stems from the discovery of oil in 1947 near Edmonton<\/a>. This discovery nearly turned Alberta from an agriculture-based society to one of the most economically wealthy areas in North America\u2014overnight!<\/p>\n

Get creative
\n<\/strong>Organize your art supplies and get painting! Pick a particular location you\u2019ll visit on your trip and compare your artwork to photos of the location when you return. Consider painting the scenic town of Banff<\/a>, nestled in the Rocky Mountains; the famous Lake Louise<\/a>; or the iconic water park in West Edmonton Mall<\/a>, the largest shopping mall in North America.<\/p>\n

Pick a film
\n<\/strong>Watch a movie or TV show that was filmed in (or relates to) your destination. Some ideas for Alberta include:<\/p>\n