Alberta

Flag of Alberta

Alberta is the 9th province of Canada, being founded September 1st, 1905. It was split from the Northwest Territories. Today, most of the inhabitants live in and around the two main cities of Edmonton and Calgary, both in the south of the province.

The flag of Alberta was first designed back in 1958, and finally adopted on June 1, 1968. The flag itself consists of the state coat of arms on a deep blue field in the centre.

From 1907, Alberta had its own shield. This shield is to be found on the flag today. The shield itself bears an image of the Rocky mountains and the lowlands, grass prairies, and underneath a representation of the provinces main crop, wheat. On top, a St George Cross. Taken from the arms of the Hudson Bay Company, who initially began the development of the territory.

In 1980, Queen Elizabeth augmented the coat of arms with a new crest, supporters, and motto. Now, the coat of arms features a royal helmet with St Edwards Crown, the supporters are a lion and a longhorn antelope. The motto reads Fortis et Liber, meaning "Strong and Free." However, the flag continues to use just the shield from the coat of arms.