Prince Albert, the third-largest city in Saskatchewan, Canada, is a vibrant community nestled on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River. Known as the "Gateway to the North," it serves as the last major centre en route to the resources of northern Saskatchewan. The city is surrounded by the Rural Municipality of Prince Albert No. 461, of which it is the seat, but is politically separate.
The Cree originally named the area kistahpinanihk, translating to "sitting pretty place," "great meeting place," or "meeting place." The first trading post was established in 1776 by Peter Pond, and the area was later settled by James Isbister, an Anglo-Métis employee of the Hudson's Bay Company, in 1862.
The community received a significant boost in 1866 when Reverend James Nisbet, a Canada Presbyterian Church minister, arrived to establish a mission for the Cree. Nisbet named the mission after Albert, Prince Consort, husband of Queen Victoria, from whom the present city derives its name.
Prince Albert was incorporated as a town in 1885 and as a city in 1904. It was the capital of the District of Saskatchewan, a regional administrative division of what then constituted the North-West Territories, until 1905 when Saskatchewan became a province and Regina was designated the new provincial capital.
Prince Albert has welcomed several members of Canada's Royal Family, including The Princess Margaret in 1958 and 1980, The Duke and Duchess of York (The Prince Andrew and Sarah) in 1989, and The Earl of Wessex (The Prince Edward) in 2003.
Prince Albert is located on the White Fox Plain of the Saskatchewan River lowlands. The city is situated in a transition zone between the aspen parkland and boreal forest biomes. The North Saskatchewan River runs through the centre of Prince Albert, and the city is located in a valley complex consisting mainly of regosolic soils.
Prince Albert experiences a humid continental climate, with January being the coldest month and July the hottest. The city's climate is characterized by a great temperature amplitude, with winter lasting five months of the year.
As of the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Prince Albert had a population of 37,756. For residents over the age of 25 years, 82.7% have a high school diploma (or equivalent), 55.3% have a post-secondary degree; and 17.3% have no certificate, diploma, or degree. Prince Albert has one of the highest Aboriginal population ratios for any Canadian city, at 44.65%.
Prince Albert is home to three historical museums and several heritage sites. The city also serves as the closest large community and service centre to Prince Albert National Park, located 51 km (32 mi) north of the city.
The city is home to the Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League and the Prince Albert Mintos of the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League. Prince Albert has also hosted notable sporting events such as the 1993 North American Indigenous Games and the 2018 U-18 Men's Softball World Cup.
Prince Albert is served by a single road bridge, the Diefenbaker Bridge, which connects the north and south shore. The city is also connected to several highways, including SK 2, SK 3, SK 11, SK 55, and SK 302. Prince Albert Transit provides local city bus service, and Glass Field Airport offers regular flights to Saskatoon and Regina.
Prince Albert has been represented by three prime ministers of Canada: John Diefenbaker, William Lyon Mackenzie King, and Sir Wilfrid Laurier.
