ABOUT BRITISH COLUMBIA
British Columbia is Canada's westernmost province and touches the Pacific Ocean. The winters in the coastal areas are relatively warm in comparison to the rest of Canada.
British Columbia (BC) is Canada's most mountainous province and has some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the world. Alpine skiing is a major draw for the province. The province has about 33 large ski resorts spread out from Vancouver Island to the Alberta border. Whistler, British Columbia, nestled in the rugged Coast Mountains, is consistently ranked as the #1 ski resort destination in North America and co-hosted the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.
Vancouver, the largest Canadian metropolitan area west of Toronto, is one of Canada's most multi-cultural cities. Vancouver is a harbour city and provides beautiful landscapes of mountains and ocean.
The Okanagan Valley, in the interior of British Columbia, is a popular Canadian vacation destination known for skiing in the winter and watersports in the summer. The area's quaint towns and lush vineyards are connected by a network of clear blue lakes and rivers and surrounded by rolling, sun-dappled hills.
Boasting nearly 82 percent of the total vineyard acreage in the province, the Okanagan Valley is BC’s premier grape growing region. An ever-changing panorama, the valley stretches over 250 kilometers, across distinct sub-regions, each with different soil and climate conditions suited to a growing range of varietals. From world-class operations to family-run boutique vineyards, Okanagan wineries are rich with character and consistently ranked among the worlds best at International competitions.
Abbotsford is a city in the Fraser Valley of the Lower Mainland of BC. It is positioned right along the Canadian-US border to the south, and Greater Vancouver to the West. It is known as the city within the countryside. It is the largest municipality in BC outside of Metro Vancouver, with a population of about 142,000 people. About an hour from downtown Vancouver, Abbotsford has over 150 parks and tons of greenspace within the city for residents to enjoy, and is also home to Sumas Mountain, with many opportunities for hiking and biking, with scenic waterfalls throughout. Real estate tends to be a little more reasonable than Vancouver, making the city an affordable location for families. The city hosts the annual Abbotsford International Airshow which attracts 125,000 viewers per day for the three day event in August. The city is home to the University of the Fraser Valley.
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Located east of Vancouver, Burnaby is the third-largest city in British Columbia. Named after the explorer, Robert Burnaby, the town has evolved over the past century from its rural roots in the late 1890s to a vital urban centre in Metro Vancouver. Like Vancouver, Burnaby is a diverse multicultural city with a large proportion of its population originating from China, India, Korea, and Southeast Asia. Fittingly three of Burnaby’s four sister cities are located in Asia: Zhongshan, Guangdong, China; Kushiro, Japan; and Hwaseong, Gyeonggi, Korea.
At the time of the 2006 census, more than half the population of Burnaby spoke neither English nor French as their first language. The city draws a large number of international students to its public schools and its two post-secondary institutions, Simon Fraser University and BCIT. The city has produced its fair share of famous Canadians, including actor Michael J. Fox, singer Michael Bublé, and BC’s current premier, Christy Clark.
North Burnaby is home to “The Heights,” a charming neighbourhood along the commercial corridor of Hastings Street. Small shops, cafes, and restaurants line the main street, and single family homes comprise the area — many built in the early 20th century. The neighbourhood is home to picturesque green spaces including Kensington Park, Confederation Park, and Montrose Park.
Most residents of Central Park/Suncrest live in single-family homes and benefit from the neighbourhood’s convenient location near the shopping/transit hub of Metrotown. It is also home to a number of notable cultural attractions such as the Burnaby Village Museum, the Gallery at Ceperly House, and the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts.
Residential neighbourhood development began on Burnaby Mountain a decade ago and now is a thriving community. Commercial amenities were built alongside the SFU Burnaby campus as part of the development plan, offering residents access to shopping, groceries, rec services, and a host of dining options. Lougheed Town Centre is a quick jaunt off the hill and connects transit commuters to buses and Skytrain.
Blind Bay is a community just 15 minutes outside of the city of Salmon Arm. It is a favourite destination for vacationers all year round, but in particular in the summer where you are surrounded by endless beaches and stunning views. Located on the southern shore of the Shuswap Lake, Blind Bay is known for its hundreds of kilometers of shoreline. With affordable homes and friendly neighbours, it is a place where you can stroll on the beach, hike, bike, ski at the nearby mountain resorts of Revelstoke Mountain, Sun Peaks, Silver Star and Big White. It is definitely a lifestyle one could get used to, with clear night skies, natural beauty surrounding you, but also be in close proximity to the cities of Salmon Arm, Kamloops, Vernon and Kelowna. It is also midway between the cities of Calgary and Vancouver.
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Chilliwack is well positioned within British Columbia as its 7th largest city with natural majestic beauty, abundant recreational and lifestyle opportunities and a sound business sector. A well established agricultural and farming community, with rapidly growing industrial and commercial industries. The community has a population of approximately 91,000 people and is located 100 kilometres east of the City of Vancouver. People choose to live in Chilliwack because of their low tax rates, affordable housing costs and exceptional quality of life. Discover their lifestyle, offering all the benefits of our natural surroundings, rural setting, family-oriented neighborhoods, excellent housing, shopping and restaurants, the convenience and facilities of a vibrant urban core. Enjoy their many golf courses, outdoor activities, fishing, river rafting, and excellent hiking trails.
For further information please check the following links:
https://tourismchilliwack.com
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chilliwack
http://www.chilliwack.ca/main/home.cfm
Coquitlam is an eastern suburban city of Vancouver. With over 890 hectares of greenspace and more than 80 parks, this city offers a great mix of outdoor life and contemporary city living. It is accessible to downtown Vancouver by rapid transit, as well as driving which is about a 35 minute distance. It has a population of around 140,000, and is one of the 21 cities that make up Metro Vancouver. It is situated along many river pathways, making it ideal for beautiful scenic adventures, hiking, and day trips. It is home to Douglas College, and the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University are in close proximity, in neighbouring municipalities.
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Courtenay is the Comox Valley’s largest centre, where you’ll find urban amenities wrapped in small town charm and character. Shoppers will find one of a kind boutiques, restaurants, pubs and cafes in the downtown core. The city has a vibrant arts and culture scene with galleries, museums, theatre, and many festivals and special events taking place all year round. Local restaurants highlight the area’s abundance of fresh produce and seafood, and the vibrant community is packed with culinary experiences. You can mountain bike or hike along one of the many river systems in the area, paddle the stunning shorelines or enjoy some golf at one of many scenic courses.
A short 30 minute drive away is Mount Washington Alpine Resort, which is a year-round recreation alpine destination. The Comox Valley Airport (YQQ) has direct flights from Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton, and Harbour Air connects Comox harbour to downtown Vancouver harbour on a seasonal basis.
The Comox Valley is Vancouver Island’s adventure and culinary destination. It is on the east coast of Vancouver Island that includes the city of Courtenay, the town of Comox, the village of Cumberland, Royston, Union Bay, Fanny Bay, Black Creek and Merville. The communities of Denman Island and Hornby Island are also part of the Comox Valley. The Comox Valley has a a population of approximately 66,000 residents as of 2016. Courtenay has 7 elementary schools, 2 middle schools and 5 high schools.
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Kamloops is the second largest city in the sunny Interior of British Columbia. This university city has a vibrant arts community, eclectic dining and entertainment, and lots of family friendly activities including BC’s Wildlife Park. With over 100 lakes in it’s vicinity, Sun Peaks Ski Resort, a booming wine region, the area is an adventure and tourism playground. The city has become known as Canada’s Tournament Capital, being a host centre for sports, tournaments, cultural events, high performance training camps and national and international competitions. Kamloops is home to Thompson Rivers University, a public teaching and research university offering 140 undergraduate and graduate degrees and vocational training, attracting students from all over Canada and the world to study and live.
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Kelowna is a stunning, sun-kissed lakeside city that is a major tourist destination for both British Columbians and the rest of Canada. The city is situated in the central part of the Okanagan Valley, which is named after the 110 km long Okanagan Lake, which runs through the entire beautiful region. Kelowna is the largest city in the valley with a population of 135,000 residents, and a metropolitan area population of 195,000. It is surrounded by lakes, orchards, mountains, wineries and numerous opportunities for outdoor adventure at every turn. The valley is known for its hot, dry summers and is also famous for its fruit orchards and wineries.
Kelowna is also a leader in major industry sectors, including tourism, healthcare and technology. Kelowna is home to more than 600 tech companies, and has become the favoured place for opportunities across this sector. It is a city that offers an active four-season lifestyle and a rich quality of life, and remains one of Canada’s fastest growing cities.
For further information please check the following links:
https://www.tourismkelowna.com
Lake Country is a district municipality with a population of approximately 15,000 in the Okanagan Valley region of British Columbia, Canada. It is a part of the Central Okanagan Regional District, and of the Kelowna metropolitan area. The city of Kelowna lies to the south, while the city of Vernon lies to the north. As its name suggests, there are a number of lakes in the vicinity of Lake Country, and outside the municipal boundaries in the hills to the east. Okanagan Lake defines the western boundary of the municipality, while the entirety of Wood Lake and the southernmost portion of Kalamalka Lake are encompassed by it.
Lake Country was incorporated in 1995. The previously unincorporated communities of Winfield, Okanagan Centre, Oyama, and Carr's Landing were united to form the new municipality, and they remain as separate wards within it. In the municipal government, one councilor is drawn from each of these wards, while the mayor and two additional councilors are elected by the people at large.
Maple Ridge is a city in northeastern Metro Vancouver known for its stunning natural setting, mountain views, forested communities and access to many of the area’s beautiful provincial parks. Its 200 kms of trails are a magnet for outdoor enthusiasts who want both city and outdoor life at their back door. It is a city of approximately 91,000 residents that is rich in local history and that shows in many of its notable neighbourhoods. Maple Ridge has a real foodie culture that shows in its many bistros, gastropubs, and food trucks offering locally sourced artisan fare. The city is well connected to Greater Vancouver and is also in close proximity to Abbotsford, providing options to two international airports for travel.
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Mission is a city located about an hour south east of Vancouver. The city is in the beautiful central Fraser Valley and backs on to mountains, lakes and the Fraser River. It has a population of about 40,000 residents, and is about 15 minutes from the USA border and our neighbouring state of Washington. Mission has many attractions enjoyed by residents and tourists including Stave Falls, Mission Raceway Park, Rolley Lake Provincial Park and Fraser River Heritage Park.
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Nanaimo is a city on the east coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. It is known as "The Harbour City". The city was previously known as the "Hub City", which has been attributed to its original layout design where the streets radiated out from the shoreline like the spokes of a wagon wheel, as well as its generally centralized location on Vancouver Island.Nanaimo is also the headquarters of the Regional District of Nanaimo.
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The Nisga’a or Nass Valley is an absolutely beautiful natural territory with abundant wildlife and incredible natural scenery. Nisga’a, People of the Nass River, have lived on these lands since before recorded time, and have a rich legacy of arts, crafts, dance, and oral history. The Nisga’a Lands make up 2,000 sq. km where the Nass River flows through a land of sacred mountains and dense forests on Canada’s Pacific Coast.
The Nisga’a Valley is made up of four first nations communities:
Gitlaxtaa’miks (New Aiyansh)
Gitlakdamix, or New Aiyansh is the largest of the four communities, the capital of the Nisga’a Nation, and the administrative center of the Nisga’a Lisims Government. Situated on the edge of the Memorial Lava Bed Park, it overlooks the lava beds, Canada’s youngest lava flow. The lava plain is 10km long and 3km wide, and several self-guided trails allow visitors to explore this unique and beautiful landscape. There is a recreation centre, the historic Gitlakdamix community hall and Wilp Wilxo’oskwhl Nisga’a Institute, a post-secondary institution affiliated with UNBC, Northwest Community College and Royal Roads University.
Gitwinksihlkw (Canyon)
Gitwinksihlkw, or Canyon is located on the north bank of the Nass River and offers cultural rich history, natural beauty, and access to Canada's newest lava bed. Canada's last volcanic eruption occurred in Nisga'a territory approximately 250 years ago. The lava destroyed everything in its path, sparked fires in the surrounding forests, and covered two Nisga'a villages. Today the vast lava beds still dominate the valley. Situated at the edge of the Nass River and Nisga'a Memorial Lava Bed Park, Gitwinksihlkw enjoys one of British Columbia's most dramatic natural settings. Visitors come to enjoy guided tours of the lava beds, sport fishing, backcountry excursions, a stroll across the Nass River on a 400-foot long extension bridge, or to admire the majestic totem poles that tell of Nisga'a history and culture.
Laxgalts’ap (Greenville)
Laxgalts'ap means "village on village," an acknowledgement that the current village is built on a series of Nisga'a communities that have occupied this site for millennia. Located in the Nass River estuary, it is the spawning grounds of five species of wild Pacific salmon and oolichan, a finger-sized member of the smelt family. Laxgalts'ap is a part of the temperate coastal rainforest in the scenic Nass Valley. The region’s wildlife includes bald eagles, moose, grizzly and black bears, and even the elusive Kermode, also known as spirit bear. The Nisga’a museum is located here, and is a must see.
Gingolx (Kincolith)
The seaside village of Gingolx offers rich cultural history, natural beauty, and some of North America's finest seafood. Gingolx is famous for its harvest of salmon, crab, halibut, snapper, and shellfish, and a generous hospitality that welcomes visitors from around the world. Gingolx has a public boat launch that leads to some of the best kayaking, boating, and sport fishing in North America. Each summer, thousands of visitors arrive for Crabfest, an annual celebration of music, seafood, and Nisga'a hospitality.
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Nisga’a Nation – The Four Villages
The Okanagan (often referred to as the Okanagan Valley) is a region of British Columbia, in Canada. It borders the Shuswap region to the north, West Kootenays region to the east, Similkameen region to the west, and the American border to the south. The focus of this region is the 135km long Okanagan Lake which runs north-south from Vernon to Penticton. The region is bordered on both the east and west by mountains. The valley is known for its hot, dry summers and is a favourite vacation spot for sun seekers and outdoor enthusiasts. It is also famous for its fruit orchards and wineries.
Weather is generally mild in the winter, with snow at the upper elevations and rain in the lower cities. In summer the region is quite hot and dry, and in fact this region contains Canada's only true hot desert in Osoyoos.
The Okanagan has a wealth of activities to offer, year round.
There are over 100 wineries in the valley, and it's worthwhile to do a wine tour and sample some of the wines and lovely vistas. The wines of the region are steadily gaining worldwide acclaim.
- Golfing. There are 37 courses between the US border and Vernon ranging from small par-three chipping courses to full sized professional top-50 ranked courses. The most prestigious include Predator Ridge Golf Resort (Vernon), Gallagher’s Canyon Golf Club (Kelowna), Harvest Golf Club (Kelowna), The Okanagan Golf Club (Kelowna, and Fairview Mountain Golf Course (Oliver). Depending on the weather, some courses are playable right into December.
- Camping. The valley is literally peppered with campgrounds and RV parks, most of which are on or near a lake. For those looking for a more traditional tenting experience, there are over 60 provincial parks in the valley. Not all allow camping, but most have tent pads available for a modest fee. For those who really want to get away from it all, a short hike into the mountains will provide miles of untouched wilderness where one can practice leave-no-trace camping.
- Wine Tours. Do you love discovering insider tips on the winery you're visiting, getting the behind-the-scenes perspective with a barrel tasting, meeting the winery owner or winemaker, and not having to navigate from one winery to the next? Then booking a wine tour with the experts is the right choice for you. Let a guide with local knowledge take you around to our Kelowna wineries, give you the story on each winery and Kelowna's wine industry, and be your designated driver. You just can't beat it.
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Peachland is a district municipality of over 5000 residentsin the Okanagan Valley. It is located on the west side of Okanagan Lake in British Columbia, Canada. It was founded in 1899 by John Moore Robinson,although the region had long been home to the Okanagan people. Peachland is approximately half an hour's drive south of the city of Kelownaand about a twenty-minute drive north of Summerland. The Okanagan Valley is very narrow in this area, and there are few terraces which mark former lake levels and the former lake bottom. As a result, the city is largely located on a steep sidehill. Like many areas in the Okanagan, Peachland is a rapidly growing community with new residents coming from all across Canada. Located across from Peachland is Rattlesnake Island, home of the legendary Ogopogo. Peachland is approximately 370 km from Vancouver, British Columbia on the BC South Coast.
For further information please check the following links:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peachland,_British_Columbia
Richmond is Metro Vancouver’s thriving fourth largest city. It is the home of the Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and has Canada’s most concentrated international population, with over 60 percent of its population being born overseas. As of 2016 stats, the city has a growing population of approximately 225,000 residents.
The popular Canada Line SkyTrain rapid transit system links Richmond to Vancouver and the Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and runs from 5am to 1am every day. In Richmond you can discover diverse culture, culinary adventures and abundant nature in a stunning Pacific Canada setting. A must do culinary adventure is the impressive Richmond Night Market, the largest in North America.
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Situated 35 minutes southeast of Vancouver and directly north of the US border Surrey attracts visitors with its seamless mix of abundant greenery and urban amenities. From beautiful parks to big-box shopping, from art galleries and museums to golf courses and spectator sports like hockey and rodeos, British Columbia's second-largest city is a multicultural 21st century destination. It's full of young families with active lifestyles and diverse ethnic backgrounds.
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http://www.hellobc.com/surrey.aspx
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surrey,_British_Columbia
www.surrey.ca
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city in Canada, located in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia. As the most populous city in the province, the 2016 census recorded 631,486 people in the city, up from 603,502 in 2011. The Greater Vancouver area had a population of 2,463,431 in 2016, making it the third-largest metropolitan area in Canada. Vancouver has the highest population density in Canada with over 5,400 people per square kilometre, which makes it the fourth-most densely populated city with over 250,000 residents in North America behind New York City, San Francisco, and Mexico City according to the 2011 census. Vancouver is one of the most ethnically and linguistically diverse cities in Canada according to that census; 52% of its residents have a first language other than English. Vancouver is classed as a Beta global city.
Vancouver is consistently named as one of the top five worldwide cities for liveability and quality of life, and the Economist Intelligence Unit acknowledged it as the first city ranked among the top-ten of the world's most well-living cities for five consecutive years. Vancouver has hosted many international conferences and events, including the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games, UN Habitat I, Expo 86, the World Police and Fire Games in 1989 and 2009; and the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics which were held in Vancouver and Whistler, a resort community 125 km (78 mi) north of the city. In 2014, following thirty years in California, the TED conference made Vancouver its indefinite home. Several matches of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup were played in Vancouver, including the final at BC Place.
The original settlement, named Gastown, grew up on clearcuts on the west edge of the Hastings Mill logging sawmill's property, where a makeshift tavern had been set up on a plank between two stumps and the proprietor, Gassy Jack, persuaded the curious millworkers to build him a tavern, on 1 July 1867. From that first enterprise, other stores and some hotels quickly appeared along the waterfront to the west. Gastown became formally laid out as a registered townsite dubbed Granville, B.I. ("B.I" standing for "Burrard Inlet"). As part of the land and political deal whereby the area of the townsite was made the railhead of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR), it was renamed "Vancouver" and incorporated shortly thereafter as a city, in 1886. By 1887, the Canadian Pacific transcontinental railway was extended westward to the city to take advantage of its large natural seaport to the Pacific Ocean, which soon became a vital link in a trade route between the Orient / East Asia, Eastern Canada, and Europe. As of 2014, Port Metro Vancouver is the third-largest port by tonnage in the Americas (recently displacing New York City), 27th in the world, the busiest and largest in Canada, and the most diversified port in North America. While forestry remains its largest industry, Vancouver is well known as an urban centre surrounded by nature, making tourism its second-largest industry.[20] Major film production studios in Vancouver and nearby Burnaby have turned Greater Vancouver and nearby areas into one of the largest film production centres in North America,earning it the nickname, "Hollywood North".
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Vancouver Island is in the northeastern Pacific Ocean, just off the coast of Canada. It is part of the Canadian province of British Columbia. The island is 460 kilometres (290 mi) in length, 100 kilometres (62 mi) in width at its widest point, and 32,134 km2 (12,407 sq mi) in area. It is the largest island on the West Coast of North America.
The southern part of Vancouver Island is the only part of British Columbia or Western Canada to lie south of the 49th Parallel, along with most of the southern Gulf Islands and minor offshore islands. This area has one of the warmest climates in Canada, and since the mid-1990s has been mild enough in a few areas to grow subtropical Mediterranean crops such as olives and lemons.
Vancouver Island had a population in 2016 of 775,347. Nearly half of that figure (367,770) live in the metropolitan area of Greater Victoria. Other notable cities and towns on Vancouver Island include Nanaimo, Port Alberni, Parksville, Courtenay, and Campbell River. Victoria, the capital city of British Columbia, is located on the island, but the larger city of Vancouver is not – it is on the North American mainland, across the Strait of Georgia from Nanaimo.
Vancouver Island has been the homeland to many indigenous peoples for thousands of years.The island was explored by British and Spanish expeditions in the late 18th century. It was named Quadra's and Vancouver's Island in commemoration of the friendly negotiations held in 1792 by Spanish commander of the Nootka Sound settlement, Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra, and by British naval captain George Vancouver, during the Nootka Crisis. Quadra's name was eventually dropped from the name. It is one of several North American locations named after George Vancouver, who explored the Pacific Northwest coast between 1791 and 1794.
Vancouver Island is the world's 43rd largest island, Canada's 11th largest island, and Canada's second most populous island after the Island of Montreal. It is the largest Pacific islandanywhere east of New Zealand.
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Vernon is a beautiful sprawling city in the Okanagan Valley that is a year-round tourist destination for Canadians and world travellers alike. The city is surrounded by lakes and mountains, so beach days in the summer and ski days in the winter are a way of life. The area is known for fruit growing, wineries, hot summers, and shorter winters compared to other regions in Canada. With a population of 44,000 residents, it is smaller that its neighbouring city of Kelowna, which is 40 minutes drive away, so the city remains a popular choice for real estate. Vernon is home to Okanagan College, the region’s largest higher education institution.
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