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Alberta’s name originates from Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria of England and the wife of the Marquis of Lorne, who was Governor General of Canada from 1878 to 1883.
What is now Alberta was once inhabited by First Nations peoples since about 8,000 years ago; among these were the Blackfoot, Blood, and Peigan tribes, and eventually, the Woodland Cree and Chipewyn tribes. By the 19th century, European fur traders ventured into the land; the first of these was Anthony Henday, in 1754. Following the passage of the British North America act and the formation of Canada, the new nation acquired the Northwest Territories, which at the time included present day Alberta. The arrival of railways to the region brought settlers and farmers. Alberta became a province of Canada on September 1, 1905.
With the discovery of oil and natural gas after 1947, Alberta transformed rapidly as a result of jobs in the petrochemical and construction industries. Eventually Edmonton and Calgary became important business and financial centres. Today, Alberta’s economy has diversified, and the Princess Province boasts a high quality of life.
Many famous people have called Alberta their home. Among these are actor Michael J. Fox, actress Fay Wray, singers Joni Mitchell and k. d. lang, poet and novelist Earle Birney, and hockey star Lanny McDonald.
The Princess Province has lived up to its motto over its long and interesting history: Fortis et liber, or, "strong and free."
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