Washington
Vancouver
State
Country
Canada
Continent
North America
Size
115 KM2
Population
2,581,000
Spending Budget
$1,500 - $1,513
Famous For
- Beauty
- Liveability
Best Time to Visit
- January
- March
- April
- May
- September
- October
- November
History
The history of Vancouver is one that extends back thousands of years, with its first inhabitants arriving in the area following the Last Glacial Period. Vancouver is situated in British Columbia, Canada; with its location near the mouth of the Fraser River and on the waterways of the Strait of Georgia, Howe Sound, Burrard Inlet, and their tributaries. Vancouver has, for thousands of years, been a place of meeting, trade, and settlement.The presence of people in what is now called the Lower Mainland of British Columbia dates from 8,000 to 10,000 years ago when the glaciers of the last ice age began to disappear. The area, known to the First Nations as S'ólh Téméxw, shows archeological evidence of a seasonal encampment The first Europeans to explore the area were Spanish Captain José María Narváez in 1791, and British naval Captain George Vancouver in 1792. The area was not settled by Europeans until almost a century later, in 1862. The city grew rapidly following completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) transcontinental line from Eastern Canada, allowing for continuous rail service in the late 1880s. Chinese settlers were increasingly a presence in the area following completion of the CPR. Subsequent waves of immigration were initially of Europeans moving west, and later, with the advent of global air travel, from Asia and many other parts of the world.
Present Day
British Columbia’s largest city, Vancouver is considered as heaven for outdoor enthusiast and cosmopolitan adventurers. The city is renowned for its natural beauty and cultural diversity. The present day Vancouver was home to Coast Salish people for thousands of years. Their history and cultural traditions, deep rooted respect for nature and spirituality are all tightly woven into the city’s cultural fabric.The city has long been a popular destination for immigrants both from other parts of Canada and from overseas. The city is the industrial, commercial, and financial heart of British Columbia, with trade and transportation as basic components of its economy. It is also an important port for cruise ships, with Alaska as their most common destination.Vancouver’s atmosphere is somewhat British in character with East Asian overtones. Its rich mix of nationalities has made the city one of North America’s most cosmopolitan places. There are sizeable numbers of Vietnamese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, and Iranian residents, along with a great number of South Asians (primarily from India), in metropolitan Vancouver.Nestled among snow-capped mountains on an ocean inlet, Vancouver has one of the most picturesque settings of any city in the world. Vancouver ranks third in the world as the best city to live in for the quality of life offered, the current population of the city being 2 million. Vancouver has the highest real estate prices in Canada.Vancouver has a lively theatre community, with the Arts Club Theatre, Vancouver Playhouse, East Vancouver Cultural Centre (the “Cultch”), and Richmond’s Gateway Theatre particularly prominent
Future
Increasing urban densification increases the ability of the city to fund useful public transit such as the RAV line and the planned West Broadway Skytrain extension. It also reduces the cost of delivering other services such as sewage, electricity and other utilities to individual residents. Vancouver is currently at around 5,300 residents per square kilometre compared to an average for Canada of 2,000 and the USA of 1,200 per square kilometre. Protected separate bike lane extensions provide much better cycling infrastructure that allows inner suburbanites to quickly cycle to work in the urban core, which is very reasonable in Vancouver's moderate temperatures. Vancouverites are already opting to live and raise families in smaller apartments downtown more similar to every other city in the world that isn't in the USA. And they are happily living in less space due to the quality of life and amenities provided by living downtown. Vancouver is a global destination; that people from Winnipeg and Phoenix are confused by the living space doesn't mean that the people living there are. Children are living with their parents longer -- another extremely common pattern in the rest of the world -- and people are opting to share accommodations outside of romantic relationships. This is just different, not non-viable. It has strong regulations which enables city planners and politicians to negotiate from a position of strength with developers to include Seawall extensions, community centres and low-rent space for NGO service organizations. This continues to increase the urban amenities available to all at low or no cost, funded by people who are willing to pay for amazing views in big condos.
Stanley Park
Stanley Park is a lush peninsula of huge trees adjacent to Downtown Vancouver. If you are looking to get outside and enjoy some nature, this is the best place to visit in Vancouver. A paved seawall path encircles the green space and is a wonderful place to explore on foot or by bicycle.
Granville Island
Once mainly industrial, Granville Island is now a thriving center of activity with a relaxed and distinctive atmosphere. Artists and retailers have moved into converted warehouses alongside houseboats, theaters, galleries, and restaurants.
Grouse Mountain
In both winter and summer, Grouse Mountain offers an unmatched panorama in clear weather. That's especially so in the evenings when the city lights are on.A gondola operates daily running from street level to the summit, where dining, activities, and wildlife await mountaintop explorers year-round.
Museum of Anthropology
Part of the University of British Columbia, the Museum of Anthropology deals with cultures from around the world, but places particular emphasis on British Columbia First Nations.Exhibits display native art, including large totem poles in the Great Hall.
Kitsilano Beach
The sandy shoreline of Kitsilano Beach defines the laid-back, fun-loving Vancouver lifestyle. It's a place locals hang out with friends or take a dip in the outdoor heated seawater swimming pool. The wide beach here is popular with sun bathers in the summer.
Gastown
The oldest part of the city, Gastown is an area of restaurants, galleries, and shops set in carefully restored Victorian buildings. Heritage structures, cobblestone streets, and iron lampposts give the district its distinctive atmosphere. Gastown is a short walk from Canada Place.
Canada Place
If you arrive in Vancouver on a cruise ship, Canada Place is where your trip begins. The unusual roof design creates the impression of a huge sailing vessel. The architecturally remarkable structure is part cruise ship terminal, part convention center and hotel, and part hub for sightseeing bus tours.
Chinatown
Beyond the ornate Millennium Gate marking its entrance, Vancouver's exotic and interesting Chinatown features modern buildings amid many older ones dating from Victorian times.
English Bay
Oceanfront English Bay centers on one of the city's loveliest and busiest beaches. Part of the West End neighborhood, English Bay offers shopping and high-end restaurants, but is also a popular outdoor area where people come to walk, bike, rollerblade, or hang out with the public art installations.
Capilano Suspension Bridge
Vancouver's first tourist attraction opened in 1889 and has been thrilling visitors with its swaying bridge over a plummeting canyon ever since. The footbridge spans a 70-meter deep river canyon leading to an activity park filled with forest trails and a treetop walk through old-growth giants. There's also a collection of totem poles and a transparent suspended platform known as the Cliffwalk.