Calgary is the largest city in the Canadian province of Alberta, situated at the confluence of the Bow River and the Elbow River. Located in the southwestern portion of the province, it occupies the transitional area between the Rocky Mountain Foothills and the Canadian Prairies. The city anchors the south end of the Calgary–Edmonton Corridor, serving as a major urban center in Western Canada.

The area was originally inhabited by First Nations peoples, including the Niitsitapi and Tsuutʼina, who referred to the location as Mohkínstsis. In 1875, the North-West Mounted Police established Fort Brisebois, which was renamed Fort Calgary in 1876 after a location in Scotland. The city incorporated as a town in 1884 and as a city in 1894, growing rapidly following the arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1883.

Downtown Calgary features more skyscrapers than any other municipality in Western Canada, reflecting its economic boom. The city hosted the 1988 Winter Olympics at venues including the Scotiabank Saddledome and McMahon Stadium. It serves as the eastern gateway to the Rocky Mountains and is a key hub for trade and tourism in the region.

Calgary's economy includes energy, financial services, technology, and manufacturing, with Greater Calgary home to Canada's second-largest number of corporate head offices among the country's 800 largest corporations. The city was ranked third most livable globally in 2022 and had the highest number of millionaires per capita among major Canadian cities in 2015.

As of 2021, the city proper had a population of 1,306,784, with a metropolitan population of 1,481,806. It is Canada's third-largest city and fifth-largest metropolitan area. Calgary is located approximately 80 kilometres east of the Canadian Rockies and 280 km south of Edmonton, providing access to Banff and Jasper.