Central Alberta Regional Museum Network | Page 7

With respect to the settlement of the Province of Alberta, the aspen parkland shaped the kind of agricultural and other economic activity that took place in the region, and also gave a unique flavour to the settlement history. Central Alberta is characterized by its rich nitrogen composite soils, with the topsoil averaging over 13 inches, and plentiful water. This made it a desirable location for settlement. This settlement, along with our rich mineral deposits, have shaped the economy of the region. The Central Alberta region has strong rural roots and, as with other parts of the west, has experienced the movement of people from farms to towns.While Red Deer is the region’s primary city, Central Alberta is home to a great number of cities, towns and villages with their own strong identities. This is evident through the number of community museums in the region and their role in preserving historic buildings and artifacts. Discover this unique region of Alberta through an exploration of the museums of Central Alberta! UnlockThePast.ca 7