Special areas are designated rural municipalities similar to municipal districts; however, the elected advisory councils are overseen by four representatives appointed by the province, under the direct authority of Alberta Municipal Affairs.

[7] The three special areas are located in southeast Alberta within Census Division 4.

The Special Areas Act of 1938[8] created the six special areas of Tilley East, Berry Creek, Sullivan Lake, Sounding Creek, Neutral Hills, and Bow West, which had previously been special municipal areas.

[9] The original six special areas included 3.2 million hectares, while the current three only include 2.1 million hectares.

Alberta's three special areas had a combined population of 4,184 in 2016.