Lethbridge

Lethbridge

Infobox Settlement
native_name =
official_name = City of Lethbridge
nickname =



imagesize =
image_caption = Downtown Lethbridge as seen on 4 Avenue south facing west



flag_size = 125px
image_shield = Lethbridge-coat.pngshield_size =125px
image_dot_

dot_mapsize =
dot_map_caption =Location census division number 2, Alberta, Canada.
dot_x =119 |dot_y =281
pushpin_

pushpin_label_position =
pushpin_map_caption =
pushpin_mapsize =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = CAN
subdivision_type1 = Province
subdivision_name1 = AB
subdivision_type2 = Region
subdivision_name2 = Southern Alberta
subdivision_type3 = Census division
subdivision_name3 = 2
subdivision_type4 =
subdivision_name4 =
established_title = Incorporated
established_date = 1906
area_total_km2 = 127.19
area_metro_km2 = 2,975.59
area_metro_sq_mi = 1,148.88
population_total = 83,960
population_as_of = 2008
population_rank = 46th
population_density_km2 = 607.0
population_metro = 95,196
population_density_metro_km2 = 32
population_density_metro_sq_mi = 82.86
latd=49 |latm=41 |lats=39 |latNS=N
longd=112 |longm=49 |longs=58 |longEW=W
elevation_m = 910
leader_title2 =MP
leader_name2 = Rick Casson (Cons.)
leader_title3 = MLAs
leader_name3 = Greg Weadick (P.C.),
Bridget Pastoor (Lib.)
leader_title2 =MP
leader_title =Mayor
leader_name = Robert D. Tarleck
(Past mayors)
leader_name4 = Garth Sherwin
leader_title4 = City Manager
leader_title1 =Governing body
leader_name1 = Lethbridge City Council
time_zone = Mountain (UTC-7)
postal_code_type = Postal code span
postal_code = T1H to T1K
area_code = 403 587
blank_name =Highways
blank_info =Highway 3, 4, 5, 25
blank1_name =Waterways
blank1_info =Oldman River
footnotes =
website = [http://www.lethbridge.ca/ City of Lethbridge]
twin1 = Anyang
twin1_country = China
twin2 = Culver City
twin2_country = United States
twin3 = Timashyovsk
twin3_country = Russia
twin4 = Towada
twin4_country = Japan

Lethbridge (pronEng|ˈlɛθbrɨdʒ) is a city in the province of Alberta, Canada, and the largest city in southern Alberta. It is Alberta's fourth-largest city by population after Red Deer, Calgary and Edmonton and the third-largest by area after Calgary and Edmonton. The nearby Canadian Rockies contribute to the city's cool summers, mild winters, and windy climate. Lethbridge lies southeast of Calgary on the Oldman River.

Lethbridge is the commercial, financial, transportation and industrial centre of southern Alberta. The city's economy developed from drift mining for coal in the late 19th century and agriculture in the early 20th century. Half of the workforce is employed in the health, education, retail and hospitality sectors, and the top five employers are government-based. The only university in Alberta south of Calgary is in Lethbridge, and two of the three colleges in southern Alberta have campuses in the city. Cultural venues in the city include performing art theatres, museums and sports centres.

History

Before the 19th century, the Lethbridge area was populated by several First Nations at various times. The Blackfoot referred to the area as "Aksaysim" ("steep banks"), "Mek-kio-towaghs" ("painted rock"), "Assini-etomochi" ("where we slaughtered the Cree") and "Sik-ooh-kotok" ("coal"). The Sarcee referred to it as "Chadish-kashi" ("black/rocks"), the Cree as "Kuskusukisay-guni" ("black/rocks"), and the Nakoda (Stoney) as "Ipubin-saba-akabin" ("digging coal").

After the US Army stopped alcohol trading with the Blackfeet Nation in Montana in 1869, traders John J. Healy and Alfred B. Hamilton started a whiskey trading post at Fort Hamilton, near the future site of Lethbridge. The post's nickname became Fort Whoop-Up.cite web |url=http://www.lethbridge.ca/home/Enjoying+Lethbridge/Picture+Gallery/Short+History.htm |title=A Short History of Lethbridge, Alberta| author=Greg Ellis |month=October |year=2001 |accessdate=2007-01-17] The whiskey trade led to the Cypress Hills massacre of many native Assiniboine in 1873. The North-West Mounted Police, sent to stop the trade and establish order, arrived at Fort Whoop-Up on October 9, 1874. They managed the post for the next 12 years.

Lethbridge's economy developed from drift mines opened by Nicholas Sheran in 1874 and the North Western Coal and Navigation Company in 1882. North Western's president was William Lethbridge, from whom the city derives its name. [cite web |title=Indian Battle Park |publisher=City of Lethbridge
url=http://www.lethbridge.ca/home/City+Hall/Departments/Parks+-+Pathways+-+Trails/Major+Parks/Indian+Battle+Park/Indian+Battle+Park.htm |accessdate=2007-02-16
] By the turn of the century, the mines were employing about 150 men and producing about 300 tonnes of coal each day. In 1896, local collieries were the largest coal producers in the Northwest Territories, [ [http://www.lethbridge.ca/home/Enjoying+Lethbridge/Picture+Gallery/History+of+Lethbridge/Masonry+Sculptures/Masonry.htm City of Lethbridge website] ] with production peaking during World War I. After the war, increasing oil and natural gas production gradually replaced coal production, and the last mine in Lethbridge closed in 1957.

The first rail line in Lethbridge was opened on August 28, 1885 by the Alberta Railway and Coal Company, which bought the North Western Coal and Navigation Company five years later. [cite web |title=Alberta Railway and Coal Company |work=Table of Private Acts (1867 to December 31, 2006), Railways |publisher=Department of Justice Canada |url=http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/privlaw/214797/2525.html |date=2007-01-25 |accessdate=2007-02-16] The rail industry's dependence on coal and the Canadian Pacific Railway's efforts to settle southern Alberta with immigrants boosted Lethbridge's economy. After the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) moved the divisional point of its Crowsnest Line from Fort Macleod to Lethbridge in 1905, the city became the regional centre for Southern Alberta. In the mid-1980s, the CPR moved its rail yards in downtown Lethbridge to nearby Kipp, and Lethbridge ceased being a rail hub. [cite web |title=Executive Summary |work=Highways 3 & 4, Lethbridge and Area NHS & NSTC, Functional Planning Study, #R - 970 |publisher=Stantec Consulting Ltd. |month=February | year=2006 |url=http://www.infratrans.gov.ab.ca/INFTRA_Content/docType182/Production/exec_summ.pdf |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070621192600/http://www.infratrans.gov.ab.ca/INFTRA_Content/docType182/Production/exec_summ.pdf |archivedate=2007-06-21 |accessdate=2007-02-16|format=PDF]

Between 1907 and 1913, a development boom occurred in Lethbridge, making it the main marketing, distribution and service centre in southern Alberta. Such municipal projects as a water treatment plant, a power plant, a streetcar system, and exhibition buildings — as well as a construction boom and rising real estate prices — transformed the mining town into a significant city. Between World War I and World War II, however, the city experienced an economic slump. Development slowed, drought drove farmers from their farms, and coal mining rapidly declined from its peak. After World War II, irrigation of farmland near Lethbridge led to growth in the city's population and economy. Lethbridge College (previously Lethbridge Community College) opened in April 1957 and the University of Lethbridge in 1967.

Government

Eight aldermen and a mayor make up the Lethbridge City Council.cite web | title = City Council | publisher = City of Lethbridge | url = http://www.lethbridge.ca/home/City+Hall/City+Council/ | accessdate = 2007-10-15 ] City voters elect a new government every three years, in October. Lethbridge does not have a ward system, so voters choose all eight aldermen. The City of Lethbridge has an operating budget of C$200 million, more than half of which comes from property tax. [ [http://www.lethbridge.ca/NR/rdonlyres/DDEC3079-A129-49FD-AF56-EAB1E41CBDEB/4462/BudgetPresentation0608BudgetOverview.pdf 2006–2008 Preliminary Operating Budget Overview] , City of Lethbridge] One Member of Parliament (MP) representing Lethbridge sits in the House of Commons in Ottawa, and two members of Alberta's legislative assembly (MLAs), representing Lethbridge East (Liberal) and Lethbridge West (PC), sit in the legislative assembly in Edmonton.

Traditionally, political leanings in Lethbridge have been right-wing. Federally, from 1917 to 1930, Lethbridge voters switched between various federal parties,cite web | title = LETHBRIDGE, Alberta (1914 - 1977) | work = History of Federal Ridings since 1867 | publisher = Parliament of Canada | url = http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/process/house/hfer/hfer.asp?Language=E&Search=Det&Include=Y&rid=394 | accessdate = 2007-10-15 ] but from 1935 to 1957, they voted Social Credit in each election. Progressive Conservatives held office from 1958 until 1993, when the Reform Party of Canada was formed. [cite web | title = LETHBRIDGE--FOOTHILLS, Alberta (1977 - 1987) | work = History of Federal Ridings since 1867 | publisher = Parliament of Canada | url = http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/process/house/hfer/hfer.asp?Language=E&Search=Det&Include=Y&rid=395 | accessdate = 2007-10-15 ] cite web | title = LETHBRIDGE, Alberta (1987 - ) | work = History of Federal Ridings since 1867 | publisher = Parliament of Canada | url = http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/process/house/hfer/hfer.asp?Language=E&Search=Det&Include=Y&rid=917 | accessdate = 2007-10-15 ] The Reform party and its various subsequent incarnations have dominated the polls since.

Geography and climate

The city of Lethbridge is located at 49.7° north latitude and 112.833° west longitude and covers an area of km2 to mi2|127.19|precision=2|spell=commonwealth|wiki=yes. The city is divided by the Oldman River; its valley has been turned into one of the largest urban park systems in North America at convert|16|km2|acre|-2 of protected land. [cite web |title=2007 National Fair Program Preview |work=Historica Fairs |publisher=Historica |url=http://www.histori.ca/fairs/default.do?page=.main_ob&section=fairs&rinfo=sb_sas&cont=overview |accessdate=2007-02-16 ] The city is Alberta's fourth largest by population after Calgary, Edmonton, and Red Deer. It is the third largest in area after Calgary and Edmonton and is near the Canadian Rockies, 210 kilometres (130 miles) southeast of Calgary.

Lethbridge is split into three geographical areas: north, south and west. The Oldman River separates West Lethbridge from the other two while the Crowsnest Highway and the Canadian Pacific Railway rail line separate North and South Lethbridge. [cite web |last=Ellis |first=Faron |title=Alberta Provincial Election Study |publisher=Citizen-Society Research Lab |month=November | year=2004 |url=http://www.lethbridgecollege.ab.ca/pdf/csrl/Fall2004ProvincialElectionII.pdf |accessdate=2007-02-16|format=PDF] The newest of the three areas, West Lethbridge (pop. 29,673) is home to the University of Lethbridge. Much of the city's recent growth has been on the west side, and it has the youngest median age of the three. The north side (pop. 24,514) was originally populated by workers from local coal mines. It has the oldest population of the three areas, is home to multiple industrial parks and includes the former town of Hardieville, which was annexed by Lethbridge in 1978. [cite web |title=William Duncan Livingstone Hardie |publisher=Alberta Online Encyclopedia |url=http://www.coalking.ca/people/profiles/lethbridge_hardie.html |accessdate=2007-03-23] [cite web |title=Hardieville/Legacy Ridge/Uplands Area Structure Plan |publisher=UMA Engineering Ltd. |url=http://www.lethbridge.ca/NR/rdonlyres/14B6DC79-C738-45A5-9EF7-FBA035DDCDA4/442/HardievilleLegacyRidgeUplandsASP.pdf |accessdate=2007-08-14|format=PDF] South Lethbridge (pop. 29,773) is the commercial heart of the city. It contains the downtown core, the bulk of retail and hospitality establishments, and the Lethbridge College.

Climate

Lethbridge has a moderate continental climate with an average maximum temperature of 12.3 °C (54.1 °F) and an average minimum temperature of −1.0 °C (30.2 °F). With an average precipitation of 386.3 millimetres (15.21 in) and 264 dry days on average, Lethbridge is the second driest city in Canada. On average, Lethbridge has 116 days with wind speed of 40 km/h (25 mph) or higher, ranking it as the second city in Canada for such weather. [http://www.on.ec.gc.ca/weather/winners/intro-e.html Weather Winners] , Environment Canada. Accessed December 26, 2006.]

Its high elevation of 929 metres (3,048 ft) and close proximity to the Rocky Mountains provides Lethbridge with cooler summers than other locations in the Canadian prairies. [http://www.chooselethbridge.ca/media/publication_1.pdf Business Investment Profile 2005/2006] , Economic Development Lethbridge. 2005. Accessed November 7, 2006.] These factors protect the city from strong northwest and southwest winds and contribute to frequent chinook winds during the winter. Lethbridge winters have the highest temperatures in the prairies, reducing the severity and duration of winter cold periods and resulting in fewer days with snow cover. [http://lethbridgechamber.com/community.php Community Profile] , Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce. Accessed December 24, 2006.]

Weather averages

Major attractions

The city, which began as a frontier town, has several historical attractions. The Lethbridge Viaduct, commonly known as the "High Level Bridge", is a steel trestle bridge. It was completed in 1909 on what was then the city's western edge. [cite web | title = High Level Bridge | publisher = City of Lethbridge | url = http://www.lethbridge.ca/home/Enjoying+Lethbridge/Picture+Gallery/Landmarks/High+Level+Bridge/High+Level+Bridge.htm
accessdate = 2007-10-15
] Indian Battle Park, in the coulees of the Oldman River, commemorates the last battle between the Cree and the Blackfoot First Nations in 1870. [cite encyclopedia | title =Lethbridge | encyclopedia =Encyclopædia Britannica | publisher =Encyclopædia Britannica Online | url =http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9047928 | accessdate = 2007-10-15 ] Originally known as Fort Hamilton, Fort Whoop-Up was a centre of illegal activities during the late 19th century. It was first built in 1869 by J.J. Healy and A.B. Hamilton as a whiskey post and was destroyed by fire a year later. A second, sturdier structure later replaced the fort. [cite encyclopedia | last = Allen | first = Robert | title =Fort Whoop-Up | encyclopedia =The Canadian Encyclopedia | url =http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0002974 | accessdate = 2007-10-15 ]

As the cultural centre of southern Alberta, Lethbridge has notable cultural attractions. Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden in south Lethbridge was opened in 1967 as part of a Canadian centennial celebration attended by Japan’s Prince and Princess Takamatsu. [cite journal | last = Neugebauer | first = Dierk | title = Nikka Yuko - A Special Place | journal = The Journal | publisher = Toronto Bonsai Society | month = January | year = 2003 | url = http://torontobonsai.org/Journal/Journal.2003/jan.2003/nikka.yuko.htm | accessdate = 2007-10-15 ] Galt Museum & Archives is the largest museum in the Lethbridge area; the building housing the museum served as the city's main hospital during the late 19th century and early 20th centuries. [cite web | title = Our History | publisher = Galt Museum & Archives | url = http://www.galtmuseum.com/aboutus-ourhistory.htm | accessdate = 2007-10-15 ]

Several structures such as the post office are prominent on the skyline of Lethbridge. Less well-known than the High Level Bridge, the post office is one of the most distinctive buildings in Lethbridge. Built in 1912, the four-storey structure is crowned by a functioning clock tower. [cite web | title = Buildings | publisher = City of Lethbridge | url = http://www.lethbridge.ca/home/Enjoying+Lethbridge/Picture+Gallery/Buildings/Buildings.htm | accessdate = 2007-10-15 ] Other prominent buildings include office towers; the water tower, which was originally built in 1958 and sold to a private developer who converted it into a restaurant; [cite web | title = Landmarks | publisher = City of Lethbridge | url = http://www.lethbridge.ca/home/Enjoying+Lethbridge/Picture+Gallery/Landmarks/Landmarks.htm | accessdate = 2007-10-15 ] and the Alberta Terminals grain elevators.

Education

The public Lethbridge School District and the separate Catholic Holy Spirit Division administer grades kindergarten through 12 locally. The Palliser School Division, which is based in Lethbridge, administers public primary and secondary education in the outlying areas. The Third Academy private school has a campus in Lethbridge.

Lethbridge is home to Lethbridge College, founded in 1957, and the University of Lethbridge, founded in 1967. Red Crow Community College has a campus in the city. During the 2003–2004 school year, the University of Lethbridge and the Lethbridge College had a combined enrolment of 14,000, which was 20 percent of the city's population. [ [http://www.lethbridge.ca/NR/rdonlyres/D4CEB98B-9F18-4786-870D-84A06E1533FC/310/LethbridgeProfile2003.pdf Lethbridge Profile, 2003–2004] , City of Lethbridge]

Media

Transportation

, although it is not officially a terminal.

The Parks and Recreation department maintains the citywide, 30-kilometre (19 mi) pedestrian/cyclist Coal Banks Trail system ( [http://www.lethbridge.ca/NR/rdonlyres/6B643DF7-1C9B-4F0C-BB83-978877550638/0/Regional_Trail.pdf map] ). The system was designed to connect the Oldman River valley with other areas of the city, including Pavan Park in the north, Henderson Lake in the east, Highways 4 and 5 in the south and a loop in West Lethbridge (including University Drive and McMaster Blvd). [cite web |title=Coal Banks Trail |publisher=City of Lethbridge |url=http://www.lethbridge.ca/home/City+Hall/Departments/Parks+-+Pathways+-+Trails/Pathways+and+Trails/Coal+Banks+Trail/Coal+Banks+Trail.htm |accessdate=2007-02-16]

Four provincial highways (3, 4, 5, and 25) run through or terminate in Lethbridge. This has led to the creation of major arterial roads, including Mayor Magrath Drive, University Drive and Scenic Drive. This infrastructure and its location on the CANAMEX Corridor has helped make Lethbridge and its freight depots a major shipping destination. Lethbridge is 100 kilometres (62 mi) north of the United States border via Highways 4 and 5 and 210 kilometres (130 mi) south of Calgary via Highways 2 and 3. Highways 2, 3 and 4 form part of the CANAMEX trade route between Mexico, the United States, and Canada.

Lethbridge is near the Lethbridge County Airport and the CPR rail yards in Kipp, Alberta. The rail yards were moved to Kipp, just west of the city, from downtown Lethbridge in 1983 to make way for commercial expansion. [ [http://www.crowsnest-highway.ca/cgi-bin/citypage.pl?city=COALHURST Coalhurst, Alberta : History] , The Virtual Crowsnest Highway. Accessed December 26, 2006.] The county airport provides commercial flights—to Calgary, Edmonton and other Alberta cities, and to Mexico—as well as private and charter flights elsewhere. The airport provides customs services for flights arriving from the United States.

See also

*List of Lethbridgians

Notes

External links

* [http://www.lethbridge.ca/ City of Lethbridge] - Official website for the city
* [http://www.ecdevlethbridge.com/ Economic Development Lethbridge] - Official economic development website
* [http://www.lethbridgeherald.com/ Lethbridge Herald]
* [http://www12.statcan.ca/english/profil01/CP01/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=4802012&Geo2=PR&Code2=48&Data=Count&SearchText=lethbridge&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=48&B1=All Statistics Canada community profile]
* [http://www.lethbridgepolice.ca/ Lethbridge Regional Police Service]
* [http://www.artslethbridge.org/ Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge]

Canadian City Geographic Location (8-way)
North = Diamond City
Northeast = County of Lethbridge
Northwest = Coalhurst
West = Fort Macleod
Center = Lethbridge
East = Coaldale
South = Welling
Southwest = Kainai Nation Reserve
Southeast = Stirling

Subdivisions of Alberta


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