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Grande Prairie is the biggest city in the northwest of Alberta province. It is situated at the south of the Peace River Country that is also known as The Peace Region or The Piece. The Peace area includes the major part of Alberta’s northwest and northeast of British Columbia. Grande Prairie is one of the fastest growing Canadian cities. In 2005 44 631 people lived here, the same number as in Census Agglomeration. It is ranked as 7th biggest city of Alberta. Also it is considered to be the largest city of the territory from Edmonton to Faribanks, Alaska. History First Europeans came to the Peace River Country in 1770 were the fur traders. Grande Prairie was founded in 1881 as a trading center at Hudson Bay.

The city’s name was given by Father Grouard who was a Roman Catholic Missionary. Once saw the local prairies he called them "la grande prairie" that was taken as a city name. The Peace is still an important agricultural centre that produces more crops A huge flow of new settlers arrived here in the 30’s years of the last century, when the severe drought on the southern prairies made them search new lands for living. The Peace lands were suitable for farming, so the people settled here. Due to the local favourable conditions for developing agriculture, the settlement quickly grew in size and population and soon became one of the biggest trading centres of the Peace. The industry development is connected with the discovery of oil deposits at Leduc.

Since 1947 there were held a range of explorations to define the exact location and amount of oil and gas deposits in the Peace. The deposits were developed and this brought a new population growth boom. The community gained its City status in 1958. That days’ population was about 7 600 people. The community was incorporated as a City in 1958. At that time, its population was approximately 7,600. A new economic boom happened here in 70’s ears of the last century. It was caused by the foundation of the Procter & Gamble pulp mill and development of the new deposits of gas (the Elmworth gas field). Over about ten years from early 1970’s till 1981 the population grew twice in size and was about 24 000.

July 9 of 2004 brought a tornado to the downtown area of Grande Prairie, also destroyed the eastern part of the city. It was rather weak tornado (estimated F0-F1 on the Fujita Scale), but it was enough to damage houses and turn over the cars. However the disaster wasn’t fatal: few injured and no fatal cases. Tourism Facilities Dark Waters Fishing & Outdoor Adventures is one of the best touristic clubs of Grande Prairie located outside the city. It offers unforgettable fishing trips to any Alberta’s water destinations! The recommended ones are the Bow River, The Old Man River, the North Raven River and many others. Besides fishing the trips open the picturesque wildlife sceneries of Alberta and many active entertainments are waiting for tourists here.

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Grande Prairie Weather

Mostly Cloudy

36°F

Grande Prairie

Mostly Cloudy

Humidity: 60%

Wind: W at 14 mph

  • Wed Chance of Snow

    36°F 19°F

  • Thu Chance of Snow

    28°F -2°F

  • Fri Partly Sunny

    27°F 3°F