About BC Set between the Pacific Ocean in the west and the magnificent Rocky Mountains in the east, British Columbia is Canada's westernmost province. Blessed with breathtaking landscapes, BC is home to a geographical diversity that lends itself to a vast array of activities and adventures. There are mountains to climb, rivers to run, beaches to comb, forests to hike, parks to stroll and warm summer lakes to laze about on. The province generally enjoys a temperate climate but where there are mountains, there is snow. Renowned for the steep and the deep of its world-class ski terrain, BC is bustling with energy and opportunity as it prepares for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Always a gold medal destination for savvy travelers, BC offers not just outdoor adventure but cosmopolitan culture, world-class exhibitions, uptown shopping and fabulous dining. From sophisticated cities to breathtaking scenery, there is something for everyone in BC BC Fast Facts § Capital city: Victoria on Vancouver Island § Population: 4.1 million (Concentrated in Vancouver, population 2.1 million, and Victoria, population 345,000) § Canada's third most populated province (after Ontario and Quebec) § Only province in Canada to experience a "West Coast special": ski and golf in the same day § Westernmost of Canada's 10 provinces § History: Entered Canadian confederation in 1871 § Total Area: 944,735 sq km (364,764 sq mi) § Highest Point: Fairweather Mountain, 4,663 m (15,299 ft) § Lowest Point: Pacific Ocean, sea level § Longest River: Fraser River, 1,368 km (850 mi) § Largest Lake: Williston Lake (reservoir), 1,761 sq km (680 sq mi) § Largest Island: Vancouver Island, 32,137 sq km (12,408 sq mi) § Provincial Flower: Pacific dogwood § Provincial Tree: Western red cedar § Provincial Bird: Steller's Jay § Provincial Gemstone: Jade § Provincial Motto: "Splendour without diminishment"  Climate & Weather Climate in British Columbia is a variable thing influenced by latitude, mountainous topography and the Pacific Ocean. This diversity causes wide variations in average rainfall, snowfall, temperature and hours of sunshine, sometimes over very short distances. In general, however, temperatures are warmer in the south than in the north, and rainfall is heaviest along the coast and lightest in the southern interior. WinterWinters on the coast are temperate, and if snow falls it doesn't stay long. A warm coat and umbrella are sufficient weather protection in these mild coastal climes. Most of BC's interior, on the other hand, experiences freezing temperatures and lasting snow from November to March, so full winter wear is necessary for comfort: a heavy coat, a warm hat and gloves or mittens. Spring and FallSpring and fall can often be very warm and pleasant, especially in June and September. Daytime temperatures -particularly in southwestern BC and the southern interior- allow for dresses, shorts and short-sleeved shirts; however, it is advisable to have sweaters, trousers and a light coat or jacket on hand as well. SummerSummers are hottest in BC's interior, particularly in the south where temperatures frequently surpass 30°C (86°F). Nearer the coast, temperatures range from 22 to 28°C (72 to 83°F). Recommended clothing for both regions in summer is the same: shorts, short-sleeved shirts and light dresses in daytime and sweaters and trousers in the evenings. Geography A quick look at the Province and it’s people… British Columbia is Canada's westernmost province. It is bounded by the Alaskan Panhandle and the Yukon and Northwest Territories to the north; Washington, Idaho and Montana to the south; Alberta to the east; and the Pacific Ocean to the west.
It is made up of four physical regions: a mountain system along its west coast that includes the Coast Mountain Range and the Insular Mountains that form Vancouver Island and the Queen Charlotte Islands; a mountain system to the east that includes the Rocky and Columbia Mountain Ranges; the rolling grasslands and forests of the Interior and Stikine Plateau; and a segment of the continent's Great Interior Plains referred to as Peace River country, which lies in its north-eastern corner. BC is laced through with lakes, marshes, rivers and streams that support wildlife in abundance. It has a highly celebrated system of parks, created to protect its diverse ecosystems for conservation, outdoor recreation, education and scientific study. 12.5% of BC's land base is protected. EconomyWhile natural resources such as fish, minerals, hydroelectricity and timber have always been the backbone of BC's economy, newer industries such as eco-tourism, agri-tourism, film and high tech have become important economic drivers over the last decade. Population The population of BC is concentrated around the cities of Vancouver (pop. 2.1 million) and Victoria (pop. 345,000). Other major population centers include: Kelowna (pop. 107,000), Kamloops (pop. 80,000), Nanaimo (pop. 79,000), Prince George (pop. 71,000), Vernon (pop. 36,000), Penticton (pop. 32,000), Campbell River (pop. 30,000) and Scrapbook (pop. 18,000). |