Viking is a town in central Alberta, Canada. It is at the intersection of Highway 14 (Poundmaker Trail) and Highway 36 (Veterans Memorial Highway), approximately 121 km east of Edmonton. The town also lends its name to the Viking Formation, an oil bearing stratigraphical unit.

History

Viking was settled in 1909 by Scandinavian settlers Sivert Hafso and Ole Sorenson, from Norway. On 7 July 2005, the community ice arena was severely damaged by fire. Construction began on a new arena, called the "Viking Carena Complex" and was completed on 17 August 2007. Viking celebrated its centennial in 2009.

Geography

Climate

Viking experiences a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfb). Summers are warm with moderate rainfall while winters are long and bitterly cold.

Demographics

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Viking had a population of 986 living in 432 of its 490 total private dwellings, a change of NaN% from its 2016 population of 1,083. With a land area of 3.45 km2, it had a population density of in 2021. In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Viking recorded a population of 1,083 living in 460 of its 505 total private dwellings, a NaN% change from its 2011 population of 1,041. With a land area of 3.7 km2, it had a population density of in 2016.

Economy

The majority of economic activity is in the agriculture, oil and gas, textile, and manufacturing industries.

Arts and culture

Viking won the national Communities in Bloom contest in 2000.

Attractions

Many parks and flower gardens are maintained throughout the town. One of the most notable parks is Troll Park, which celebrates Vikings's rich Scandinavian history with native plants, trolls hidden throughout the park, and a giant troll mountain.

Infrastructure

The Viking Airport is a small airport owned by the Town of Viking 4.8 km west of the townsite, with the Transport Canada airport identifier of CEE8. As a flag stop, Via Rail's The Canadian calls at the Viking railway station.

Notable people