Interesting & Unique Information About Banff National Park

Banff National Park in Alberta covers some 2,564 square miles and is the second-largest national park in Canada behind Jasper National Park. Each year more than 5 million visitors come to the park.

Origins

Banff, founded in 1885 is Canada's first and oldest national park.

History

Parts of Banff were built by prisoners during World War I. Thousands of Ukrainian immigrants were sent to internment camps as part of the War Measures Act; those in Banff were enlisted to build roads and to help create the golf course.

Name

The name Banff is actually Scottish, stemming from Banffshire. Many Scottish people settled in the area.

Wildlife

There are more than 69 species of animals found in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, where Banff is located. Elk is the most common animal found in the park.

Fun Fact

The largest lake in Banff, Lake Minnewanka, is man-made.

References

• World War I and Banff
• Interesting Facts
• Banff