Banff, Alberta

Coordinates: 51°10′41″N 115°34′19″W / 51.17806, -115.57194
Country Canada
Province Alberta
Region Alberta's Rockies
Census division 15
Founded 1880
Government [1]
- Mayor John Stutz
- Governing body Banff Town Council
- Manager Robert Earl
- MP Myron Thompson
- MLA Janis Tarchuk
Area
- Town 4.85 km² (1.9 sq mi)
Elevation 1,463 m (4,800 ft)
Population (2006)[2]
- Town 6,700
- Density 1,381.7/km² (3,578.6/sq mi)
Time zone MST (UTC-7)
Postal code span T1L
Area code(s) +1-403
Website: Town of Banff

Banff is the largest town in Banff National Park, located in Alberta's Rockies, Canada. At 1,463 m (4,799.9 ft), it is the town with the highest elevation in Canada, situated above Bow Falls near the junction of the Bow and Spray Rivers. Banff is located 126 km (78 mi) west of Calgary and 58 km (36 mi) east of Lake Louise, on the Trans-Canada Highway. The town is now a member of the Calgary Regional Partnership, making it the westernmost municipality within Greater Calgary.

The resort town is a very popular tourist destination and is known for its mountainous surroundings and hot springs. It is a major destination for outdoor sports and features extensive hiking, biking, scrambling and skiing areas within the region. Two ski resorts are located in close proximity: Sunshine Village and Mount Norquay ski resort. Banff is the eastern terminus of the Rocky Mountaineer railroad.

History

Banff was first settled in the 1880's, after the transcontinental railway was built through the Bow Valley. In 1883, three Canadian Pacific Railway workers stumbled upon a series of natural hot springs on the side of Sulphur Mountain. In 1885, Canada established a federal reserve of 26 km² around the hot springs, and began promoting the area as an international resort and spa as a way to support the new railway[3]. In 1887, the reserve area was increased to 673 km² and named "Rocky Mountain Park." This was the beginning of Canada's National Park system.

The area was named Banff in 1884 by Lord Steven, a former Canadian Pacific Railway director, recalling the name of his birthplace, Banffshire in Scotland[4]. Canadian Pacific built a series of grand hotels along the rail line and advertised the Banff Springs Hotel as an international tourist resort.

Banff townsite developed near the railway station as a service centre for tourists visiting the park. It was administered by the Government of Canada's national parks system until 1990, when the Town of Banff became the first and only incorporated municipality within a Canadian national park.

In 1985, the United Nations declared Banff National Park, as one of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks, a World Heritage Site. Banff remains one of the most popular tourist destinations in Canada.

Contemporary issues

According to the 2005 municipal census, the town's permanent population was 8352. However, this figure includes a seasonal shadow population of about 1000. The town's growth in recent years has led to concerns by environmentalists who fear the town's growth will harm the wilderness of the surrounding national park. The federal government has attempted to address these concerns by restricting development in the town, and mandating that only people who are employed or otherwise have ongoing business in Banff (plus their immediate families) may take up permanent residence in the community.

Demographics

According to the Canada 2006 Census[2]:
* Population: 6,700 (-6.1% from 2001)
* Land area: 4.85 km² (1.87 sq mi)
* Population density: 1,381.7 people/km² (3,578.6/sq mi)
* National population rank (Out of 5,008): Ranked 544th
* Median age:† 29.4 (males: 30.0, females: 28.7)
* Total private dwellings: 2,844
* Dwellings occupied by permanent residents: 2,568
* Mean household income:↑ $35,651

Note: ↑ The data has not yet been released and is based on 2001 Census.[2]

Attractions

There are a number of popular mountains located immediately adjacent to the townsite. They include Mount Rundle (2,949 m/9,675 ft), Cascade Mountain (2,998 m/9,836 ft) and Mount Norquay (2,134 m/7,001 ft), which has a ski slope as well as mountain biking trails on the Stoney Squaw portion. A gondola lift is available to ascend Sulphur Mountain (2,281 m/7,484 ft) where a boardwalk beginning from the upper terminal takes visitors to Sanson Peak. Sulphur Mountain is also the location of one of Banff's most popular attractions, the Banff Upper Hot Springs. Tunnel Mountain (formerly known as Sleeping Buffalo Mountain) (1,690 m/5,545 ft) is situated within the townsite and is very popular for quick hikes; one can reach the summit in less than half an hour. It was named Tunnel Mountain because surveyors initially wanted to make a tunnel for the Trans-Canada (Canadian Pacific) Railroad right through the mountain, instead of following the Bow River Valley.

Banff is home to the well-known Banff World Television Festival as well as the Banff Mountain Film Festival.

References

1. ^ Town of Banff. Town Council. Retrieved on 2007-06-30.
2. ^ a b c Statistics Canada (Census 2006). Banff - Community Profile. Retrieved on 2007-06-12.
3. ^ History of the Town of Banff
4. ^ Banff Heritage Tourism Corporation