Prince Albert, Saskatchewan is located on the shores of
the North Saskatchewan River, 45 kilometers upstream from the convergence of
the North and South Saskatchewan Rivers. The historic North Saskatchewan River
has long been viewed as the boundary separating southern agricultural lands
from some 80 million acres of boreal forest
and wilderness to the north. It's no surprise that Prince Albert has often been
referred to as the “Gateway to the North” for so many years.
Geologically, Prince Albert rests on the sands of an ancient inland sea, roughly
200 kilometres south of the exposed bedrock of the PreCambrian Shield. The sandy
soil has been called “Jack Pine Sand” because of the towering Jack
Pine trees that grow so well in it. Prince Albert
is the third largest urban centre in Saskatchewan with a population of 41,000.
Prince Albert lies at the crossroads of Highways 11, 2 and 3, 130 kilometres
north of Saskatoon at an elevation of roughly 430m. The city’s located
at 53 degrees, 12 minutes, 4 seconds N and 105 degrees, 45 minutes, 16 seconds
W.
Average temperatures range from 20 degrees Celsius in the summer months to -20
degrees Celsius in the winter months. Summer highs can reach the mid 30’s
and winter lows can dip to -30 Celsius, but both occurrences are rare. Prince Albert receives more sunshine than any other centre in Canada. With more
than 2100 hours of sunshine per year, Prince Albert is a must see for sun-seekers
of all ages. |