BANFF NATIONAL PARK, CANADA

 

LOCATION : Banff National Park is Canada's oldest national park, established in 1885 in the Rocky Mountains. The park, located 110–180 km (68–112 mi) west of Calgary in the province of Alberta, encompasses 6,641 km² (2,564 sq mi) of mountainous terrain, with numerous glaciers and ice fields, dense coniferous forest, and alpine landscapes.

 

DESCRIPTION : Banff National Park is the most visited Alberta tourist destination and one of the most visited national parks in North America, with 3,927,557 visitors in 2004/2005. During summer, 42% of park visitors are from Canada (23% from Alberta), while 35% are from the United States, and 20% from Europe. Tourism in Banff contributes an estimated C$6 billion annually to the economy^.

 

  

The park has 56 mammal species that have been recorded. Grizzly and black bears inhabit the forested regions. Cougar, lynx, wolverine, weasels, northern river otter and wolves are the primary predatory mammals.Elk, mule deer and white-tailed deer are common in the valleys of the park, including around (and sometimes in) the Banff townsite, while moose tend to be more elusive, sticking primarily to wetland areas and near streams. Other mammals such as beavers, porcupines, squirrels, chipmunks and Columbia ground squirrels  are the more commonly observed smaller mammals. In 2005, a total of five caribou were counted, making this species one of the rarest mammals found in the park.

 

 

Attractions in Banff include Upper Hot Springs and a 27-hole golf course at Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel  and three ski resorts including Sunshine Village, Lake Louise Mountain Resort, and Mount Norquay ski resort. The Banff Lodging Co is a hospitality company in the park. Other activities include alpine and Nordic skiing, and  horseback riding.

 

he town of Banff is the park’s primary settlement, offering the most variety of lodging, shopping and dining. There are a number of pubs and restaurants here specializing in local game and produce. Accessed by the Icefields Parkway, Lake Louise offers luxurious accommodation in a gorgeous setting of turquoise lakes and majestic mountains. Lake Minnewanka and Sunshine Meadows are other smaller villages. - See more at: http://www.touropia.com/explore/canada/banff-national-park/#sthash.D0wO9656.dpuf

Banff National Parks large concentration of wildlife includes mammals like black bears, grizzly bears, bison, moose, bighorn sheep, wolves and cougars in addition to 280 species of birds like bald eagles, Canada geese, red-tail hawks and osprey. - See more at: http://www.touropia.com/explore/canada/banff-national-park/#sthash.D0wO9656.dpuf