[1][2] It ranges in elevation from about 910 to 1,220 metres (3,000 to 4,000 feet) and lies in the middle of the Interior Plains, one of seven physiographic regions in Canada.

[2][3] Underlying the Alberta Plateau are flat-lying beds of sandstone, shale and conglomerate which were deposited during the Mesozoic.

To the northeast, the boundary extends around the Birch Hills and then continues south along the Athabasca River valley.

[5] The name of the plateau was proposed by Stuart Holland who was Chief Geologist of the Government of British Columbia until his retirement in 1974.

[1][6] It was officially adopted 2 November 1964 but was rescinded 21 March 1978 after British Columbia recommended its cancelation and removal from standard topographic maps in 1974.