Touted to be the nation's oil hub, Fort McMurray is not only known for its oil sands, pipelines and natural gas but also for its forestry and tourism. This former city, now an urban services area, is located in a forest valley where two rivers meet. There are unending outdoor activities here for outdoor enthusiasts to take part in, including swimming, curling, fishing, skiing, camping, canoeing, sailing and hiking. The oil sands that the area is known for have been used by different cultures long before Europeans arrived to the area. The Cree using the oil sands to coat the undersides of their canoes. In 1790, Alexander Mackenzie wrote about the oil sands and soon after a trading post was set up in the area. Today, visitors to For McMurray can take a tour of the oil sands and learn about the areas history.
