Vancouver, British Columbia
Vancouver redirects here. Not to be confused with the smaller Vancouver, Washington, USA, suburb of Portland, Oregon. For more uses see Vancouver (disambiguation)Vancouver is a Canadian city, in the province of British Columbia. It is a major seaport and the largest metropolitan centre in western Canada, home to 545,000 people in 2001. Vancouver is the main city in the region commonly known as the Lower Mainland, where 1,986,965 people (2001) live. It is situated at 49 degrees, 16 minutes north, and 123 degrees, 7 minutes west, in the Pacific Time Zone (UTC-8). The current mayor is Larry Campbell, Coalition of Progressive Electors.
Vancouver is adjacent to the Strait of Georgia, a body of water that is separated from the Pacific Ocean by Vancouver Island. The Strait of Georgia was first explored in 1791 by Spanish explorer Lieutenant Jose Maria Narvaez. In the following year, 1792, the British naval Captain George Vancouver (1757-1798) from King's Lynn in Norfolk joined the Spanish expedition based at Nootka Sound on Vancouver Island's west coast and explored in more detail the Strait of Georgia, as well as Puget Sound.
Early industry along Burrard Inlet, the body of water where Vancouver's port is today, was lumbering. The first sawmill began operating in 1863 at Moodyville (in 1915, renamed to the City of North Vancouver). The first export of lumber took place in 1865; this lumber was shipped to Australia. By 1865 the first sawmill, Stamp's Mill, started in what was to become the City of Vancouver.
In 1870, the colonial government of British Columbia surveyed the community officially known as Granville. It was sited immediately west of Stamp's Mill and was commonly known as Gastown, a name that survives today.
In 1885 Granville was selected by the Canadian Pacific Railway to be the western terminus of the transcontinental railway commissioned by the government of Canada under the leadership of Prime Minister Sir John A. MacDonald. (This led to Vancouver's infrequently-used nickname, Terminal City). On April 6, 1886, the City of Vancouver was incorporated, and in May, 1887, the first train from Montreal arrived.
With the arrival of the railway, Vancouver began to grow rapidly as it was fully connected to all of Canada and thus benefitted from access to Canadian markets. Additionally, as part of the agreement to join the Confederation, British Columbia's debt of approximately $1,000,000 was paid in full by the Canadian government, creating additional business opportunities.
Scenery
Vancouver is home to North America's third largest urban park, Stanley Park. Vancouver is within quick access to the sea, mountains, forests and cityscape. Due to tight enclosure buildings in downtown Vancouver are similar to highrises found in Central Hong Kong. On a non-humid day one can see Mount Baker (a volcano in Washington state) to the south-east.
Climate
Vancouver defies the Canadian sterotype of being a cold location in winter and is typically the warmest city in Canada at such time. The temperature and weather are almost in sync with that of Seattle's, Vancouver's nearest major US neighbour-city. Snow is common in the surrounding mountains but not at sea-level. Summer months are usually sunny and the temperature hovers above 20 degrees celsius. Spring and Autumn are typically rainy and windy.
Tourism is also a vital industry in Vancouver. Vancouver has repeatedly been designated the home to the best skiing mountains in North America.
In an International Olympic Committee meeting in Prague, Czech Republic, in July 2003, Vancouver received (alongside Whistler, BC) the right to host the 2010 Winter Olympics. Vancouver was also the site of the 1986 World Exposition.
Vancouver does not have a comprehensive freeway system. Municipal bylaws and geography have dictated that the only freeway within city limits is the Highway 1 Freeway, which passes through the eastern edge of the city.
Vancouver is served by Vancouver International Airport, which is located on Sea Island in Richmond. The airport is one of the busiest on the West Coast. Vancouver also is served by two B.C. Ferry terminals, one to the northwest near the village of Horseshoe Bay, and one to the south, at Tsawwassen.
^ < West VANCOUVER East > Richmond Living
Housing prices, although falling, are still some of the most expensive in Canada. Vancouver is a relaxed city with many diversions.People
Vancouver is home to people of many ethnic backgrounds and religions. It contains the largest Chinatown in North America outside of San Francisco. Street signs written in Chinese and Punjabi (with original English names) can be seen in their respective cultural communities. Prior to the hand-over of Hong Kong to China many Chinese immigrants made Vancouver their new home.Industry
Vancouver has been called "Hollywood North" as it typically hosts 10% of all Hollywood movies. Many television series which appear on American TV are also filmed exclusively in Vancouver.Transportation
Vancouver is served by a regional rapid transit system. This is run by the Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD), although the actual service is contracted out. There is frequent bus service to and from downtown Vancouver, frequent passenger-only service accross accross Burrard Inlet (known as SeaBus, as well as the subway-like SkyTrain line, which goes from downtown to Surrey. Currently in planning is the Richmond-Airport-Vancouver light rail line, scheduled for completion in time for the 2010 Winter GamesSites of Interest
Notable buildings within the city include Christ Church Cathedral, the Hotel Vancouver (now part of the Fairmont chain), the Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia (with a world standard collection of Native American art including work by Bill Reid), the art gallery (notable collections include illustrations by Chagall and paintings by Emily Carr) and many striking modern high-rise buildings. Districts of interest within the city include the downtown area, Gastown, Chinatown, and Granville Island, Stanley Park, and the University of British Columbia campus and adjacent parklands.Colleges and Universities
Vancouver and its adjacent communities are the home of two major universities, the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University, as well as a number of community colleges.Professional Sports Teams
North
West Vancouver | North Vancouver
Greater Vancouver A
Burnaby
South
v
