Alberta's Counties

Alberta was formally declared a province in the Confederation of Canada on 1 Sep 1905. Previously the area was part of the Northwest Territories and Rupert's Land, purchased from the Hudson's Bay Company by Canada in 1869.

Throughout the 18th and 19th century, European influence in the area was predominantly a result of the French, and later English, fur trade. Indigenous societies long pre-date the arrival of European influences and continue to be a vital force in the province.

As the 19th century progressed, interest in the area shifted to its agricultural potential and location as a bridge between the province of British Columbia and Eastern Canada.

In 1901 the population of what would become Alberta was estimated at 73,022, by 1911 it had more than tripled to 374,295. In 1947 oil was struck at Leduc, setting off an oil boom that continues to dominate the Alberta economy. As of 2018, the population of Alberta has reached 4.32 million, with the majority in urban centers.

At present, Alberta has three types of local area jurisdictions: urban, rural and specialized municipalities. Urban municipalities include: cities, towns, villages, and summer villages. Municipal districts, also known as counties, provide for the administration of rural areas. Metis settlements and First Nation reserves are also found within the province.

Although exact names, status and boundaries of municipalities have changed, many of the local areas date back to the birth of the Province.