Grande Prairie is situated in the middle of the trumpeter swans' major breeding area in Canada. Once facing extinction, a restoration program is in place for the largest and rarest swan in the world. In 1976, the Grande Prairie adopted the swan as its official symbol, hence the title "The Swan City".

According to the 2003 Census, the population of Grande Prairie is now over 40,000 with 75% of the population under 45 years of age and almost an equal distribution between males and females. To serve the young community, Grande Prairie has public schools, private schools, a French-speaking school and the Grande Prairie Regional College.

Residents enjoy outdoor activities such as golf, hiking, fishing, cross-country skiing and ATV/snowmobile riding. The city has also become the "Hot Air Balloon Capital of Canada", after hosting the first ever Canadian Hot Air Balloon Championships in 1979 and most recently in 2002.

For more information about the City of Grande Prairie, please visit the following websites:

>> The City of Grande Prairie
>> Discover the Peace Country
>> Map of Western Canada
>> Back to Working in Grande Prairie