Alberta has invested heavily in high-quality infrastructure to ensure companies and innovators have the tools they need to succeed in the Alberta bioeconomy. 

“Modern infrastructure in Alberta includes advanced technology, extensive transportation networks, quality education and training facilities, superior research and development, and competitively priced commercial and industrial real estate.” – Alberta Ministry of Economic Development & Trade

Population

A multinational mix of approximately 4.3 million people.

Size

661,185 square kilometres (255,200 square miles). About the same size as Texas, or twice the size of Germany.

Time Zone

Mountain Time Zone (Greenwich Mean Time less 7 hours). Daylight Savings Time (GMT less 6 hours) is in effect between March and November.

Geographical Features

Diverse landscape including mountains, glaciers, foothills, lakes, rivers, forests, badlands, wetlands and open plains. Approximately 90 per cent of Alberta is part of North America's interior plain, with heavily forested areas and peat lands in the north, grasslands in the south and parkland in the east and central areas.

Ground Transportation

Excellent transportation corridors connect Alberta to the rest of Western Canada and the U.S. Pacific Northwest. The Pacific Rim is accessible by an inter-modal system linking Alberta to the tide-water ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert, B.C. The Canadian National and Canadian Pacific railways provide Alberta with mainline service to major markets on the West Coast, Central Canada and the United States.

Air Transportation

Two major international airports with strong cargo capacities in both Edmonton and Calgary are key elements of the Alberta infrastructure advantage, with more than 150,000 metric tonnes of cargo each year moved through these airports. In addition Alberta is served by 12 regional airports and 72 community airports.

Post-Secondary Institutions

Several PSE institutions in Alberta have facilities or programs focused on various bioindustrial development. These include the University of Alberta, University of Calgary, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, University of Lethbridge, Olds College, Grande Prairie Regional College, Lakeland College. Go to the Research, Development & Commercialization page for more information.

Advanced technology platforms for bioindustrial development

These include a pilot plant for the research and production of cellulose nanocrystals, a pilot plant for the recovery of lignin at West Fraser forest products company, the Agri-Food Discovery Place (University of Alberta), the Bio-industrial Opportunities Section, (Alberta Agriculture and Forestry), the National Institute of Nanotechnology. Go to the Research, Development & Commercialization page for more information.

Quality of Life

In addition to strong education and health-care systems, Albertans enjoy a wide variety of recreational and leisure activities, as well as opportunities to participate in diverse cultural activities and the arts.