province was hit hard by the depression of the 1920s but recovered with some strong government intervention. The oil and gas boom which continues to benefit the province today began in 1947. Thanks to the prosperity from this natural wealth, Alberta was able to invest in its economy and education to create the strong and diverse modern economy found in the province today.Alberta CultureAlberta has a unique and vibrant culture that has been shaped by immigrants that have settled in the province. Throughout the province but especially in the major cities of Calgary and Edmonton, one can find the culture, cuisine, music and arts of communities from all over the world. One example of this immigrant culture on display is Calgarys Carifest, an annual celebration of Caribbean culture in the province.Thanks to the fusion of all of these communities cultures, Albertas cities are cosmopolitan in their own right. In 1988, Calgary was on display to the whole world when they hosted the Olympic Winter Games. Edmonton is known for its excellent festivals, especially the Edmonton Fringe Festival, the second largest of its kind in the world after the one in Edinburgh. Edmonton is also known for the West-Edmonton mall, the largest indoor shopping mall in the world.Albertas culture also retains a degree of influence from its history of frontier settlement and traditional farming. The greatest example of this cowboy culture is the Calgary Stampede, the annual summer festival that features such events as bull-roping and rodeos. The Stampede itself and the celebrations that surround it draw over 1.2 million visitors each year.Alberta DemographicsAlberta is home to over 3.3 million people, approximately one tenth of the total population of Canada. About two thirds of this population is centered in the provinces two biggest cities, with just over 1 million living in each of the Calgary and Edmonton metropolitan areas. After these cities, significant population centers include Red Deer (83000), Lethbridge (75000), Medicine Hat (57000) and Grand Prairie(47000). In total over 80% of the provinces population lives in urban areas.Immigration has played a crucial role in shaping the makeup of Alberta. As a result of larger waves of immigration earlier in the provinces development a large proportion of the provinces residents identify heritage from Great Britain, Germany, Ireland, Ukraine, and France. Alberta also has large communities of South Asian and Chinese heritage. As immigration to Alberta today reaches some of its highest levels ever, the province continues to become more and more diverse.The majority of Albertans identify as Christian. The province however is largely secular, with over 44% of residents reporting in the most recent census that they had not attended a place of worship in the past year. Alberta is also home to many people of the Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Jewish and Buddhist faiths. In fact, Edmonton is home to the oldest Mosque in North America.Alberta ImmigrationAlberta is one of the most popular destinations today for immigrants to Canada thanks to its quality of life and economic opportunities. According to an agreement with the Government of Canada signed in May 2007, the province