Vilna, Alberta
Vilna | |
---|---|
Village | |
Village of Vilna | |
Country | ![]() |
Province | ![]() |
Region | Central Alberta |
Census Division | No. 12 |
Municipal district | Smoky Lake County |
Founded | 1907 |
Incorporated | 1923 |
Government | |
• Mayor | Donald Romanko |
• Governing body | Vilna Village Council |
Area (2011)[1] | |
• Total | 0.90 km2 (0.35 sq mi) |
Elevation | 640 m (2,100 ft) |
Population (2011)[1] | |
• Total | 249 |
• Density | 277.5/km2 (719/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC-7 (MST) |
Highways | 28 859 |
Waterways | Bonnie Lake, Stony Creek |
Website | Official website |
Vilna is a historic village in central Alberta, Canada.
Vilna is located in Smoky Lake County, on Highway 28, 150 km (93.2 mi) northeast of the city of Edmonton. Bonnie Lake Provincial Recreation Area is located 6 km (3.7 mi) north of the community, on the shores of Bonnie Lake.
History
Vilna was founded in 1907, mostly by central European settlers, and started to develop in 1919, when the railroad reached this area. It was named in 1920 after the Lithuanian capital city of Vilnius, similarly to the community of Wilno in Ontario, Canada. Prior to 1920, the local post office was named "Villette".[2] Vilna was incorporated as a village on June 13, 1923.
On February 5 1967, Vilna experienced an unexplained explosion event with a yield estimated at about 600 tonnes of TNT (2.5 TJ).[citation needed] Subsequently two very small meteor fragments were found – 48 milligrams (0.74 grains) and 94 milligrams (1.45 gr) which are now stored at University of Alberta, in Edmonton.[3]
Attractions
The town claims to be home to the world's largest mushroom: a metal sculpture.[4]
Demographics
The Village of Vilna's 2012 municipal census counted a population of 290.[5]
In the 2011 Census, the Village of Vilna had a population of 249 living in 111 of its 135 total dwellings, a -9.1% change from its 2006 population of 274. With a land area of 0.9 km2 (0.35 sq mi), it had a population density of 276.7/km2 (716.6/sq mi) in 2011.[1]
In 2006, Vilna had a population of 274 living in 145 dwellings, a 1.9% increase from 2001. The village has a land area of 0.90 km2 (0.35 sq mi) and a population density of 305.3/km2 (791/sq mi).[6]
See also
References
- ^ a b c "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2011 and 2006 censuses (Alberta)". Statistics Canada. 2012-02-08. Retrieved 2012-02-08.
- ^ A century of progress : an historical study of the Waskatenau, Smoky Lake, Warspite, Bellis, Vilna and Spedden school communities. The County of Smoky Lake No. 13. 1967. p. 39.
- ^ University of Calgary, Canadian Meteorite Catalogue
- ^ Roadside attractions - Vilna mushrooms
- ^ "2012 Municipal Affairs Population List" (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. 2012-11-22. Retrieved 2012-12-14.
- ^ Statistics Canada (Census 2006). "Vilna - Community Profile". Retrieved 2007-06-09.
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