Lethbridge (pop. 98,406) is a city in southern Alberta. It lies in an agricultural area on the Oldman River, about 145 miles (233 kilometers) southeast of Calgary. About three-fourths of the labor force of Lethbridge works in service industries, especially trade, restaurants, and hotels. Manufacturing is also important. Factories in Lethbridge make food products, housing units, metal products, and transportation equipment. The city began as a coal-mining settlement in the 1870’s. The community was known as Coalbanks until 1885, when its name was changed to Lethbridge. It was incorporated as a town in 1891 and became a city in 1906. The city has a council-manager government.
