Lethbridge, named after William Lethbridge the president of North Western Coal and Navigation Company in 1882, is Alberta's fourth-largest city by population after Calgary, Edmonton and Red Deer.

Lethbridge is known for its magnificent coulees, a network of large rolling hills that were formed by glacial spill water over ten thousand years ago, the Blackfoot referred to the area as Aksaysim, ("steep banks"). The nearby rockies contribute to the city's cool summers, mild winters, and windy climate.

Henderson Lake Park, originally developed for the 7th International Dry-Farming Congress in 1912, continues to be a major attraction for special events and provides many recreation venues, including a walkway around the lake with natural settings and mature trees. A multitude of other paved and shale walking paths lead to gardens, playgrounds, outdoor pool, rest areas, picnic sites, concession, golf course, tennis courts, ice center, a stadium and horseshoes. Henderson Lake is a man made 60 acre lake that also provides boating and fishing opportunities from spring to fall.

Cultural venues in the city include performing art theatres, museums and sports centres. A strong Japanese cultural presence today is a direct result of Japanese Canadians during the Second World War being forcibly relocated from the west coast to the Lethbridge area where they were made to work as farm labourers. A fine example of Japan’s culture is the impressive Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden, symbolizing amends now made, the garden's name means Japanese and Canadian friendship.

The city boasts other numerous attractions including the Fort Whoop-Up Interpretive Centre, Sir Alexander Galt Museum and Archives, Helen Schuler Coulee Centre, Southern Alberta Art Gallery and the High Level Train Bridge. A river-valley park and trail system along the Oldman River provides numerous recreational opportunities. A wide-range of excellent sports facilities, including an indoor soccer centre, Olympic-sized pool and softball complex, make the city an ideal location for events of all types.

The education, retail and hospitality sectors make up half the workforce and the top five employers government-based. Lethbridge’s economy developed from drift mining for coal in the late 19th century and agriculture in the early 20th century. After the second World War, increasing oil and natural gas production gradually replaced coal production, and the last mine in Lethbridge closed in 1957.