Introduction to Edmontonby FROMMER'SNovember 20, 2006 Edmonton, Alberta's capital, has the largest metropolitan population in the province, currently around 850,000. Located on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River, it's a sophisticated city noted for its easygoing friendliness. Edmonton grew in spurts, following a boom-and-bust pattern as exciting as it was unreliable. During World War II, the boom came in the form of the Alaska Highway, with Edmonton as the material base and temporary home of 50,000 American troops and construction workers. (read article)