Fort McMurray

Fort McMoney

Tony ChowMr. Ast/Ms. GuliaBTT/GeographyMay 2014

Table of Contents1. Introduction

2. Physical Geography

3. Human Geography

4. Demographics

5. Conclusion

6. Works Cited

Google Earth Map

Places of Interest and Nearby Places

Nearby Cities

Keyano College: What Is Where: Keyano College is Situated in the heart of the oil sands in Fort McMurray. Why There: To educate/train students.Why Care: The college offers specialized training to over 2,800 full-time and 13,000 part-time students.

Oil Sands Discovery Centre:What Is Where: The Oil Sands Discovery Centre is located at the intersection of Alberta Highway 63 and Mackenzie Blvd. Why There: To show the history, science and technology of the oil sands.Why Care: People can learn moreabout the oilsands.

Keyano College Exterior. N.d. 2.Bp.Blogspot. Web. 14 May 2014.Discovery Centre. N.d. Woodbuffalo.ab. Web. 14 May 2014.

MacDonald Island Park:What Is Where: Located between the Syne River and Rocke Island.Why There: MacDonald Island Park is a community recreational, leisure and social centre.Why Care: The place is where people from the community can meet forthese recreational, leisure and social activities.

MacDonald Island Park. N.d. Total-Ep-Canada. Web. 14 May 2014.

The landform region of Fort McMurray is the Central Plains. This area is great for employment and economic benefits. The Central Plains has valuable resources such as, oil and natural gas. This region holds over 70% of Canada’s oil reserves. The area also consists with agriculture land for wheat fields, barley, canola, brassica, oats, and cattle and sheep ranching. Fort McMurray is accessible through Alberta Highway 63 from Alberta’s capital, Edmonton.

Physical Geography

Central Plains Near Red Deer River

"Alberta Oil Spill: Up To 3,000 Barrels Spill Near Red Deer River Reports Plains Midstream Canada." Huffington Post. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 May 2014.

Nearby Bodies of Water

Athabasca River Clearwater River

“Clearwater River Foothills” N.d. Wikipedia. Web. 14 May 2014. “Athabasca River” N.d. Boothopia. Web. 14 May 2014.

Climate

Fort McMurray has a humid continental climate. There are two rivers. The temperature range is from -20.5°C to 18.3°C. The growing season is usually from April/May to October. Winters are long and very cold. Summers are short and warm. The city lies at a lower elevation than other Albertan communities. The city is surrounded by two rivers, which can experience extreme weather changes. Climate change could cause floods for the region. This has occurred in the neighbouring cities.

Missional Canadian. Winter Areal View of Fort McMurray, 22 Jan. 2013. Web. 27 May 2014.

Golden Buffalo. Why Fort McMurray, n.d. Web. 27 May 2014.

Human Geography

The Fall Show & Market is held at MacDonald Island Park. There will be over 200 local and nationwide companies there to sell and promote their products. It is an affordable way to advertise a new product.

Sustainival is carnival throughout the summer. Everything on the site is powered by renewableenergy. Biodiesel power food-trucks and rides.There are hands-on activities for kids and adults.

"Fall Show & Market." FestivalSeekers. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 May 2014

"Sustainival." FestivalSeekers. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 May 2014.

Economic ActivitiesThe primary sector is the most important in Fort McMurray, it is Canada’s largest major oil industry hub. There are also natural gas and forestry. Jobs are primarily resource-based. I think these activities aren’t sustainable. In 2020, the oil sands can release twice as many greenhouse gases by all cars and trucks in Canada if current developments advance. Money could also be spent on renewable energy for a sustainable future. According to analysts from the Centre for American Progress, investing $1 billion in clean energy programs can create nearly 5,000 more jobs than traditional infrastructure spending.

Oil Sands. The Chronicle Herald. Web. 21 May 2014. 

Fort McMurray Demographics

At the year 2030, the population of Fort McMurray is projected to reach 231,000. According to Fort McMurray Chamber, the current population is 76,797.

Migration Patterns

Fort McMurray attracts people everywhere from Canada. 17% of the city are from Newfoundland and Labrador. From 2001 - 2010, the net interprovincial migration to the region of Wood Buffalo is 23,020. Compared to other Albertan regions, it has the highest growth rate. In the future, there may be higher interprovincial migration because Alberta has employment. Alberta is already attracting many immigrants which is increasing the multiculuralism.

Source: Alberta Migration

Fort McMurray is a cultural and ethnical city. More than 80% residents are identified as Christian while 17% had no religious affiliation. The top three languages are English, French and some non-official languages. The rest are varied Aboriginal languages.

I think in the future, the city could attract more immigrants for the primary sector just like how other major Canadian cities are doing. With the high employment, people would consider to locate in Fort McMurray and start families.

Ethnicity and Languages

ConclusionThe city was established because of the petroleum industry in Canada. In the 1960's, the Middle East triggered oil price spikes. This lead more oil plants to open. The population was about 6,847 in 1971 but rapidly increased by over 24,000 in a decade. In 1996, Fort McMurray was designated as an urban service area, but people still refer to it as a city.

Fort McMurray is a great city to live in because the city has similar amenities to bigger metropolitan areas like Montreal, Toronto or Vancouver. The city offers many job opportunities especially in the primary sector that pay six figure salaries. Though the area is still quite remote, city planners are planning for a more urban community like other Canadian cities. The city is mostly populated by the white, though it is exceptionally multicultural. The Alberta Cancer Board published that people living nearby the oilsands has a significantly higher rate of cancer. I don't mind the weather Fort McMurray has, I prefer that to the current Toronto weather. However, I don't li

Works Cited1. "The Facts About the Alberta Tar Sands - Climate & Capitalism." Climate Capitalism. Web. 15 May 2014.

2. "Living in Fort McMurray, Alberta." Prepare For Canada. Web. 16 May 2014.

3. "Alberta North." FestivalSeekers. Web. 12 May 2014.

4. "Demographic Spotlights." Finance Alberta. Web. 17 May 2014.

5. "Land Release Doubles Fort McMurray." Fort McMurray Today. Web. 17 May 2014.

6. "Demographics & Census." Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce -. Web. 17 May 2014.