Nearby communities considered part of the Medicine Hat area include the Town of Redcliff (abutting the city's northwest boundary) and the hamlets of Desert Blume, Dunmore, Irvine, Seven Persons, and Veinerville.

Historically, Medicine Hat has been known for its large natural gas fields, being immortalized by Rudyard Kipling as having "all hell for a basement".

They found "quantities of stone tools, fire cracked rock, butchered bone and pottery", marking this as an important spot.

Also in this area, further to the west, other MHC students and faculty were part of an excavation in 2000 at what became known as the Hillside Campsite, where two layers of finds were made.

[17][18] With transportation access via the railway and river, the town became a service and trade center for the agriculture and its products, both commodity crops and livestock, of the surrounding area.

During World War II, one of the largest prisoner-of-war camps (POW) in Canada was established here in January 1943 and was used primarily to hold German and Italian prisoners until April 1946.

In the 21st century, Medicine Hat promotes its quality of life and affordable cost of living, enjoying the savings of a city-owned gas utility and power generation plant.

The antipodal point of Medicine Hat is near Port-aux-Francais (Kerguelen Island) in the middle of the Indian Ocean, and so this region is one of the rare places of Canada whose antipodal point is neither in the water of the Indian Ocean nor in the ice of Antarctica (see www.antipodesmap.com) During the 2013 Alberta floods Medicine Hat, located on the South Saskatchewan River downstream from the confluence of the Bow and Oldman Rivers was hit with significant flooding.

Frequently, the winter cold is ameliorated by mild and dry Chinook winds blowing from the west, and hot summer daytime temperatures are made more tolerable by low humidity and rapid cooling in the evening.

Medicine Hat's economy is characterized by diversification and resilience, though it still reflects its historical roots in natural resources.

In 2019, Medicine Hat announced plans to close roughly 2,000 of its natural gas wells,[61] signaling a clear shift away from fossil fuel dependence.

The city is home to significant industrial operations, including a large Goodyear tire and rubberplant, a Methanex methanol production facility, and other manufacturing businesses.

This sector plays a key role in providing employment and maintaining economic stability, with industries ranging from automotive to chemicals and construction materials.

One of the most notable developments in recent years has been Medicine Hat's growing role in the tech and energy sectors.

[63] The region's fertile soil supports a robust agricultural base, with diverse activities including crop production, livestock farming, and agribusiness ventures.

Medicine Hat's historical landmarks, parks, and events attract visitors, while the city's retail sector continues to grow, supported by both local demand and its role as a regional service center.

While manufacturing and agriculture remain pillars, the city has embraced technological innovation and continues to seek opportunities in emerging industries.

The shift away from a sole dependence on natural gas has been a defining feature of its modern economic landscape, setting the stage for a more sustainable and adaptive future.

This nationally recognized industrial historic district is a cultural initiative of the Friends of Medalta Society with federal, provincial, municipal and private support.

They are working to restore, preserve and culturally develop the Medicine Hat Clay Industries National Historic District for education and public enjoyment.

The Stampede has a rich history dating back to the early 20th century and has become an integral part of Medicine Hat's cultural identity.

With a view toward keeping the prominent property as part of the community, they adapted it as the Saamis Memorial Funeral Chapel & Crematorium.

[69] It was installed in 1991 south of the Trans-Canada Highway and at the edge of the Blackfoot buffalo jump, above the Saamis Archeological Site along Seven Persons Creek.

[70] Although designed to withstand extreme temperatures and winds up to 240 km/h (150 mph), during a severe windstorm in January 2007, a portion of the teepee was damaged.

Established in 2003, the team plays at Athletic Park stadium, formerly home to the Medicine Hat Blue Jays, in the River Flats neighbourhood adjacent to downtown.

[76] Beginning in 2009, several ICT business leaders began working together to facilitate economic growth and diversify the local economy by building a robust community network based on fibre optic technologies.

The Medicine Hat College Rattlers[80] athletic program include cross-country running, basketball, volleyball, golf, soccer and futsal.

[81] Medicine Hat is home to the South Alberta Light Horse (SALH), an army reserve unit.

It gained battle honours in the First and Second World Wars and today its members serve overseas on United Nations and North Atlantic Treaty Organization missions.

During the First World War the 175th (Medicine Hat) Battalion, CEF, commanded by Nelson Spencer, was a unit in the Canadian Expeditionary Force.