Jasper, Alberta

Coordinates: 52°52′23″N 118°04′56″W / 52.87306, -118.08222
Country Canada
Province Alberta
Region Alberta's Rockies
Census division 15
Founded 1813
Established 2001 (special municipality)
Government
- Mayor Richard Ireland
- Governing body Municipality of Jasper
Parks Canada
- MP Rob Merrifield
- MLA Ivan Strang
Area
- Municipality 925.52 km² (357.3 sq mi)
Elevation 1,062 m (3,484 ft)
Population (2006)[1]
- Municipality 4,256
- Density 4.6/km² (11.9/sq mi)
Time zone MST (UTC-7)
Postal code span T0E
Area code(s) +1-780
Highways Yellowhead Highway
Icefield Parkway
Waterways Athabasca River
Miette River
Website: Municipality of Jasper

Jasper is a specialized municipality in western Alberta, Canada. It is the commercial center of Jasper National Park, located in the Canadian Rockies in the Athabasca River valley.

Jasper is 362 kilometres (225 mi), or approximately 3 1/2 hours west of Edmonton. Jasper is 290 kilometres (180 mi) north of Banff, Alberta, with the Icefields Parkway connecting the Jasper townsite to Lake Louise in Banff National Park. It was established as a specialized municipality on Jul 20, 2001[2] and the governance of Jasper is shared between the Municipality of Jasper and Parks Canada Agency.[3]

History

Jasper National Park was established in 1907, with the Canadian Northern Railway beginning service to Jasper in 1912.[4] The Jasper townsite was surveyed in 1913 by H. Matheson.[4] By 1931, Jasper was accessible by road from Edmonton, and in 1940 the scenic Icefields Parkway opened, connecting Banff and Jasper.

Geography

Located near the Jasper townsite are Pyramid Lake and Patricia Lake, as well as Lake Annette, Lake Edith, Lac Beauvert, and numerous other small lakes. The Jasper Tramway, which takes visitors to Whistlers Summit, is also located near the townsite, as is the luxurious Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. The Jasper - Yellowhead Museum is located in the Jasper townsite, as is the Jasper Visitor Center.

Transport

Jasper is served by Via Rail with two passenger services. The Canadian and the Skeena both operate three times per week.[5]

Demographics

According to the 2001 census, Jasper had a population of 4,180 (4,301 in 1996, 4,643 in 2006)on a land area of 925.43 km² (357.31 sq mi).[6] The population density was 4.5/km² (11.65/sq mi), and the median household income was $53,485. An average value of private dwelling of $247,658 was registered in 2001.

In 2006, Jasper had a population of 4,265 living in 1,817 dwellings, a 2.0% increase from 2001. The specialized municipality has a land area of 925.52 km² (357.3 sq mi) and a population density of 4.6/km² (11.9/sq mi).[1]

Media

Newspapers

* Jasper Booster (weekly)
* The Fitzhugh (locally-owned weekly)
* The Jasper Daily News (locally owned weekly)

Radio Stations

* FM 92.3: CJAG "The Lone Wolf" (modern rock).

Education

Grande Yellowhead Regional Division No. 35

* Jasper Elementary School (K-6 English, K-3 French)
* Jasper Junior Senior High School (7-12)

Greater North Central Francophone Education Region No. 2

* Ėcole Desrochers (K-9)

Jasper in Popular Culture

* Jasper, Alberta is the setting and inspiration for the Rocky Mountain Suite, a song by John Denver

References

1. ^ a b Statistics Canada (Census 2006). Jasper - Community Profile. Retrieved on 2007-06-11.
2. ^ Jasper municipal profile - Alberta Municipal Affairs
3. ^ Municipality of Jasper - About Jasper
4. ^ a b Lothian, W.F. (1987). A Brief History of Canada's National Parks. Environment Canada.
5. ^ VIA Rail. Jasper station. Retrieved on 2007-06-22.
6. ^ Jasper Community Profile - Statistics Canada. 2002. 2001 Community Profiles. Released June 27, 2002. Last modified: 2005-11-30. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 93F0053XIE