• Size: The area of Alberta is 661 185 sq. km (255 303 sq. miles); Alberta is the fourth largest province in Canada.
• Climate: The province is characterized by low humidity and considerable contrasts between areas and seasons. Average temperatures range from 15°C to 23°C (60°F to 73°F) in July and -8°C to -25°C (18°F to -13°F) in January. Alberta receives more days of sunshine than any other province in Canada.
• Population: 2,907,882 (official 2001 population).

The currency system in Canada uses dollars and cents similar to the U.S. system. In the past decade, the US$ has been very strong compared to the CDN$, giving American visitors a most favourable exchange value for their money.

It is always best to change your money at a recognized financial institution, bank, trust company or currency exchange. Stores, hotels and restaurants will also exchange currency but the rate will not be as good as a financial institution. And always convert some of your money prior to leaving home.

It is best to pay with a credit card, so that you can receive the very best exchange rate, as the credit card companies use the bank exchange rate. If you use U.S. cash in Canada, it is at the vendor's discretion what (if any) exchange they will offer. If the traveller prefers to use cash, exchange the money at a bank prior to leaving for Canada, or at any branches of Canadian banks. Travellers can also access Canadian cash through ATM's, although they will pay the standard user's fee, as they do in the U.S. Other services add in processing fees, reducing the actual rate of exchange.

For additional information regarding currency exchange rates, please consult the Bank of Canada's Currency Converter.

Alberta is the only province to be exempt from a provincial sales tax. However, GST (Goods & Services Tax), currently 5%, is a national tax levied on all goods and services, similar to British VAT. GST is refundable on almost all expenses related to meetings and conventions, including a 50% rebate on food and beverage charges. Delegates attending your event can also obtain tax refunds on their purchases by filling out the Visitor Rebate form available at most hotels, shops and airports. Find out more at the Canada Customs & Revenue Agency.

o Sponsors and organizers of foreign conventions are entitled to claiming a rebate on GST / HST for specific expenses. This can include items such as audio-visual equipment, convention materials, convention show services, destination management companies, electrical services, food & beverage, memorabilia, printed matter and professional services.

For further information, please visit the Canada Revenue Agency.

Major cards such as American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in Canada. Keep in mind your financial institution at home will automatically make the currency exchange before you receive your monthly statement.

You can use any bank card for the Interac system with just about every automatic banking machine in Canada, conveniently located at banks and other locations throughout most cities and at airports.

Alberta has a full range of accommodation choices equivalent to what you would find throughout the United States, ranging from first-class luxury hotels to rustic family camping, exclusive golf resort vacation packages to bed-and-breakfast with a family home atmosphere.

Alberta, like the rest of Canada, uses the metric system of weights and measures.

• A litre of milk is equal to slightly less than a quart of milk (1 litre = 1.057 quarts)
• A 340-millilitre soft drink can holds approximately 12 fluid ounces (1 fluid ounce = 29.57 milliliters)
• A kilogram of ground beef equals slightly more than two pounds (1 kilogram = 2.2 pounds)
• On a pleasant summer morning when it is 72°F, it is also 22°C (°F = °C × 9/5 + 32).
• When it is -5°C in February, it is a great day to go skiing (23°F).
• A foot-long hot dog could also be called a 30-cm-long hot dog (1 inch = 2.54 cm).
• A 250-yard tee shot travels approximately 229 metres (1 yard = .9 metres).

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