Toponymy, the study of place names, reveals a great deal about the fascinating history and unique cultural heritage of any populated region. Toponymic research is primarily concerned with the origins and meanings of place names, and, as a key component of reliable maps and charts enabling smooth navigation, a geographical name unlocks a valuable store of information. This publication, the second in a series, highlights southern Alberta which includes the Badlands, the vast ranching areas and the mineral-rich oil and coal belts. Like its predecessor (Volume I: Mountains, Mountain Parks and Foothills), this volume is a collection of geographical names that pay tribute to the individuals and groups who contributed so much of their lives to a variety of enterprises that has made southern Alberta what it is today.

At the time of writing, Aphrodite Karamitsanis was the Geographical Names Programme Coordinator for the Historic Sites Service, Alberta Culture and Multiculturalism, Edmonton, Alberta. For a number of years, she was heard regularly as the "Namedropper" on the "Saturday Morning Show" on CBC radio in Alberta.

Aphrodite Karamitsanis' profile page