Edmonton, the capital of the province of Alberta, was formerly best known as the ” jumping off place ” for the fur-trade regions to the north. At the Census of 1906 it had a population of over 20,000, and the number of the inhabitants at the present time is estimated to be over 28,000. The rate of increase will probably be greater in the immediate future, as the city is a divisional point on the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway, and the Canadian Northern Railway main line passes through it. There is also a connection from Calgary with the Canadian Pacific Railway. No finer situation could have been selected for the capital of the province. The city is situated on a plateau on the edge of the beautiful valley of the Saskatchewan, and is at the head of navigation on the river for all points north of the Peace River district. A handsome parliament building and a university (at Strathcona) is in course of erection. Opposite Edmonton is the town of Strathcona, a thriving business centre with a rapidly growing population, destined, no doubt, to join its fortunes with its bigger neighbour.