Amazon.ca Names Banff the "Harry-est Town" in Canada

SEATTLE, Jul 18, 2007 (Canada NewsWire via COMTEX News Network) -- Northwest Territories, Yukon Territory and Alberta take honors for
“Harry-est Provinces”

The race for the “Harry-est Town” in Canada came down to the wire, and today Amazon.ca (NASDAQ:AMZN) is happy to declare Banff, Alberta, the “Harry-est Town” in Canada. From the beginning, Banff was ranked among the top 10 towns on the list, with the lead position changing almost daily. In the end, Banff came out on top by ordering more copies of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” from Amazon.ca per capita than any other town in Canada. Thanks to their Harry-ness, lucky Banff Muggles will receive an extra special delivery. All residents of Banff who pre-ordered a copy of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” will have their books delivered by Canada Post the first day it is available, Saturday, July 21, at no extra charge. Additionally, Amazon.ca is donating a $5,000 Amazon.ca gift certificate to Banff Public Library.

“We’re so pleased to be named ’Harry-est Town’ in Canada,” said Banff Mayor John Stutz. “The Town of Banff is best known for one of the most picturesque main streets in the country, but now we have another great title to add to our list of accolades. As a retired schoolteacher, I’m not surprised to learn about the community’s interest in Harry Potter - or reading in general. Kudos to Amazon.ca for coming up with the idea and for making such a generous donation.”

Banff narrowly edged out Kincardine, ON, and Whistler, BC, with Port Elgin, ON, and Sooke, BC, rounding out the top five. Drumheller, AB; Drayton Valley, AB; Huntsville, ON; Sechelt, BC; and Acton, ON completed the top 10 Harry-est towns.

To determine the winner, Amazon.ca used the most recent 2006 Canada Census data and included all Canadian towns and cities with a population of more than 5,000 people.

Overall in Canada, the Northwest Territories was the “Harry-est Province” on a per capita basis with Yukon Territory and Alberta close behind. A full list of the Harry-est towns and provinces can be found at www.amazon.ca/harrypotter.

“As the librarian serving this very literate town, I knew that Banff had a high population of reading wizards,” said Holly Nguyen, Librarian of the Banff Public Library. “I’m not surprised that we are the Harry-est town in Canada. Our free public library is an open door to the magic of reading. Amazon.ca’s generous donation will support our mission of making Harry Potter - and other great books - available to the whole community.”

The Banff Public Library was founded in 1949 through the work of the Junior Chamber of Commerce. Today the library holds over 37,000 books, audio materials, videos and DVDs, and provides a variety of public services and programs for the community.

“Our search for the ’Harry-est Town’ in Canada was an extremely tight race,” said Julie Todaro, director of Amazon.ca. “In fact, there were only a handful of books separating the top three towns on our list. We’re excited to name Banff the ’Harry-est Town’ in Canada and to donate an Amazon.ca gift certificate to a well-deserving organization like the Banff Public Library, which will benefit all residents of the community.”

The seventh and final book in the Harry Potter series has been very popular with Amazon.ca customers, and is now the bestselling book ever on the site. More than 2 million copies of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” have been pre-ordered worldwide from Amazon websites with a few days still remaining until Muggles around the world can sink their teeth into the final book.

About Amazon.ca

Amazon.ca (www.amazon.ca) is part of the global family of Amazon Web sites that have become known for great prices, selection, and convenience. Amazon.ca customers can find and discover millions of English and French books, CDs, videos, and DVDs as well as a vast array of software, video games, and consoles - all at everyday low prices. Amazon.ca also offers FREE Super Saver Shipping, available on orders of $39 or more delivered to a single Canadian address. Amazon.ca sources products directly from Canadian publishers and distributors, ensuring a rich offering of Canadian titles and content. Features such as original editorial reviews in English and French and product recommendations help Amazon.ca customers find the right products for them among the site’s broad selection. Through Amazon Marketplace, Amazon.ca customers can conveniently buy and sell used, new, and collectible merchandise on the same pages where Amazon.ca sells those items new.

To ensure all orders are delivered to customers quickly and efficiently, Amazon.ca works with Canada Post, one of the world’s most progressive postal companies. Orders placed at Amazon.ca are fulfilled and shipped from within Canada by Assured Logistics, a part of the Canada Post Group of Companies.