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Vancouver

Vancouver is a Canadian city in the province Provinces and territories of Canada

Provincial and territorial legislatures are unicameral [i], having no second chamber equivalent to the Canadian Senate [i] ... 

 of British Columbia British Columbia

British Columbia, often referred to as B.C. or BC , is the westernmost of [[Canada|Canada's]... 

. It is the largest metropolitan centre in western Canada Canada

Canada is the world's second-largest [i] country by total area, occupying most ... 

 and the third largest in the country. Vancouver is one of the cities of the Greater Vancouver Regional District Greater Vancouver Regional District

n>Greater Vancouver Regional District, British Columbia, Canada ... 

  and of the larger geographic Geography

Geography is the study of the Earth's features and of the distribution of life on the earth, including ... 

 region commonly known as the Lower Mainland of B.C. The Port of Vancouver Port of Vancouver

|- !colspan="2" style="color: white; background: navy;"|General information ... 

 is significant on a world scale, and Vancouver is the third largest film production centre for US-based productions in North America North America

North America is a continent [i] in the Earth [i]'s northern hemisphere [i] and almost fully in the western hemisphere [i] ... 

 after Hollywood Hollywood, Los Angeles, California

Hollywood is a district [i] in Los Angeles, California [i], U.S.A. [i], situated west-nort ... 

 and New York New York

New York is a state [i] in the northeastern [i] United States [i]. ... 

, giving it the nickname of Hollywood North.

Discussions

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Timeline

1886   A fire Fire

Fire is a phenomenon [i] of combustion [i] manifested in intense heat [i] and light [i] in the form of a ... 

 devastates much of Vancouver, British Columbia British Columbia

British Columbia, often referred to as B.C. or BC , is the westernmost of [[Canada|Canada's]... 

.

1986   The 1986 World Exposition Expo 86

The 1986 World Exposition on Transportation and Communication, or simply Expo '86, was a World's Fair [i] ... 

 in Vancouver, British Columbia British Columbia

British Columbia, often referred to as B.C. or BC , is the westernmost of [[Canada|Canada's]... 

, Canada Canada

Canada is the world's second-largest [i] country by total area, occupying most ... 

 opens.

2003   At the International Olympic Committee session in Prague Prague

Prague is the capital [i] and largest city of the Czech Republic [i]. ... 

, Vancouver, British Columbia British Columbia

British Columbia, often referred to as B.C. or BC , is the westernmost of [[Canada|Canada's]... 

 is declared the Host City for the XXI Olympic Winter Games 2010 Winter Olympics

The 2010 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XXI Olympic Winter Games, are the next Winter Olympics [i] ... 

 in 2010.


Quotations

I'm living in L.A. but my heart's in Vancouver. .

Nicholas Lea= By non-Canadians ===

The coast of British Columbia was one of the three chief centers of aboriginal America. .

The first time I lived in L.A. I was too young. I really wanted to be back home in Vancouver. .

To know that this Olympic flag will be flying over Vancouver, over city hall, is truly, truly wonderful. .

Vancouver is lovely. .

Unfortunately, I don't do much preparation for these events, as I have a full teaching schedule at Pacific Coast Golf Centre in Richmond. .

       More Quotes >>


Encyclopedia

Vancouver is a Canadian city in the province Provinces and territories of Canada

Provincial and territorial legislatures are unicameral [i], having no second chamber equivalent to the Canadian Senate [i] ... 

 of British Columbia British Columbia

British Columbia, often referred to as B.C. or BC , is the westernmost of [[Canada|Canada's]... 

. It is the largest metropolitan centre in western Canada Canada

Canada is the world's second-largest [i] country by total area, occupying most ... 

 and the third largest in the country. Vancouver is one of the cities of the Greater Vancouver Regional District Greater Vancouver Regional District

n>Greater Vancouver Regional District, British Columbia, Canada
... 

  and of the larger geographic Geography

Geography is the study of the Earth's features and of the distribution of life on the earth, including ... 

 region commonly known as the Lower Mainland of B.C.

The Port of Vancouver Port of Vancouver

|-
!colspan="2" style="color: white; background: navy;"|General information
... 

 is significant on a world scale, and Vancouver is the third largest film production centre for US-based productions in North America North America

North America is a continent [i] in the Earth [i]'s northern hemisphere [i] and almost fully in the western hemisphere [i]... 

 after Hollywood Hollywood, Los Angeles, California

Hollywood is a district [i] in Los Angeles, California [i], U.S.A. [i], situated west-nort ... 

 and New York New York

New York is a state [i] in the northeastern [i] United States [i]. ... 

, giving it the nickname of Hollywood North.
In 2006, Vancouver was ranked the 56th most expensive city to live among 144 major cities in the world, and the 2nd most expensive in Canada .

The city's population is estimated to be 583,267 and that of the metropolitan area 2,208,300 . Some predict that by 2020, the population of the metropolitan area will be 2.6 million. A resident of Vancouver is called a "Vancouverite."
The current mayor is Sam Sullivan Sam Sullivan

Sam Sullivan, CM [i] is the current Mayor of Vancouver [i], British Columbia [i], Canada ... 

.

Vancouver will be the host city for the 2010 Winter Olympics 2010 Winter Olympics

The 2010 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XXI Olympic Winter Games, are the next Winter Olympics [i] ... 

, and the 2009 World Police and Fire Games World Police and Fire Games

The World Police and Fire Games are a biennial [i] athletic event open to active and retired law enforce... 

. Swangard Stadium, just across the city line in Burnaby Burnaby, British Columbia

Burnaby, British Columbia [i], Canada [i], is the city immediately east of Vancouver [i] ... 

, will host some games for the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup

The FIFA U-20 World Cup [i] Canada 2007 will be hosted by the cities of Toronto [i], Edmonton [i]... 

.

History



Archeological records indicate the presence of Aboriginal peoples First Nations

First Nations is a term of ethnicity [i] used in Canada [i]. ... 

 in the Vancouver area for at least 3,000 years. The traces of several settlements around Vancouver, indicate a food-gathering people with a complex social system.

The arrival of ships captained by José María Narváez of Spain Spain

Spain, officially the Kingdom of Spain , is a Europe [i]an parliamentary monarchy [i].... 

 in 1791 and George Vancouver George Vancouver

George Vancouver was an officer of the Royal Navy [i], best known for his exploration of North America [i] ... 

 of Britain Kingdom of Great Britain

Kingdom of Great Britain
... 

 the following year, heralded great change for the lives of the First Nations. The explorer and North West Company North West Company

Today, the North West Company is a grocery vendor [i] in remote communities across northern Canada [i] ... 

 trader Simon Fraser and his crew were the first Europeans known to have visited the site of the present-day city. In 1808, they descended the Fraser River Fraser River

The Fraser River is the longest river in British Columbia [i], Canada [i], rising near Mount Robson [i] ... 

 perhaps as far as Point Grey West Point Grey

West Point Grey is a mostly residential and affluent neighbourhood in the city of Vancouver, British Columbia [i] ... 

, near the University of British Columbia University of British Columbia

The University of British Columbia is a public university [i] with its main campus located at Point Grey ... 

. The first European settlement was established in 1862 at McCleery's Farm on the Fraser River, just east of the ancient village of Musqueam in what is now Marpole Marpole

Marpole is a mostly-residential neighbourhood of 22,400 located on the southern edge of the city of Vancouver [i] ... 

. A sawmill established at Moodyville in 1863, began the city's long relationship with lumbering, and was quickly followed by mills on the south shore of the inlet owned by Captain Edward Stamp. Stamp, who had begun lumbering in the Port Alberni Port Alberni, British Columbia

Port Alberni is a city located in the province of British Columbia [i] in Canada [i]. ... 

 area, first attempted to run a mill at Brockton Point, but difficult currents and reefs forced the relocation of the operation to a point near the foot of Dunlevy Street, known as Hastings Mill.

The settlement of Gastown grew up quickly around the original makeshift tavern established by “Gassy” Jack Deighton in 1867 on the edge of the Hastings Mill property. In 1870, the colonial government surveyed the settlement and laid out a townsite, renamed “Granville,” in honour of the then British Secretary of State for the Colonies, Granville Leveson-Gower, 2nd Earl Granville Granville Leveson-Gower, 2nd Earl Granville

Granville George Leveson-Gower, 2nd Earl Granville KG [i] , PC [i] ... 

. This site, with its natural harbour, was eventually selected as the terminus for the Canadian Pacific Railway Canadian Pacific Railway

The Canadian Pacific Railway , known as CP Rail between 1968 and 1996, is a Canadian [i] Class I railway [i] ... 

 to the chagrin of Port Moody Port Moody, British Columbia

Port Moody
|-
| align="center" colspan="2" |
... 

, New Westminster New Westminster, British Columbia

New Westminster
|-
| align="center" colspan="2" |
... 

 and Victoria Victoria, British Columbia

Victoria is a Canadian city [i], and the provincial [i] cap ... 

, all of which had vied to be the railhead. The building of the railway was among the preconditions for British Columbia joining Confederation in 1871. The City of Vancouver was incorporated on April 6, 1886, the same year that the first transcontinental train arrived.

A fire on Sunday, June 13 of that year destroyed most of the city, which was quickly rebuilt. Due to the advent of the railway, the population increased rapidly from 5,000 in 1887 to 100,000 in 1900. During the first decade of the twentieth century, Vancouver's population tripled and along with it came a construction Construction

In project architecture [i] and civil engineering [i], construction is the building [i] or assembly [i] ... 

 boom and, as Rudyard Kipling Rudyard Kipling

Joseph Rudyard Kipling was a British [i] author [i] and poet [i] best known today for hi ... 

 noted on his visit to the new city in 1887, the "curious institution...called 'real estate'" and the speculative buying and selling of property. By 1890 the beginnings of one of the world's first electric street railways were promoting growth along what are now the city's main arterials, powered by ample hydroelectricity generated from nearby rivers and lakes

Geography



Vancouver is adjacent to the Strait of Georgia Strait of Georgia

The Strait of Georgia is a 240 km-long strait [i] between Vancouver Island [i] and the mainland Pacific [i] ... 

, a body of water Water

Water is a taste [i]less, odor [i]less substance that is essential to all known forms of life [i] and i ... 

 that is shielded from the Pacific Ocean Pacific Ocean

The Pacific Ocean is the world's largest body of water [i]. ... 

 by Vancouver Island Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island is located off Canada [i]'s Pacific [i] coast and is part of the Canadian province [i] ... 

. It is in the Pacific Time Zone Time zone

A time zone is a region of the Earth [i] that has adopted the same standard time [i], usually referred t ... 

 , and the Pacific Maritime Ecozone. The city itself forms part of the Burrard Peninsula Burrard Peninsula

The Burrard Peninsula in extreme southwestern British Columbia [i] sits between the fjord [i] of Burrard Inlet [i]... 

, lying between Burrard Inlet Burrard Inlet

Burrard Inlet is a relatively shallow-sided coastal fjord [i] in southwestern British Columbia [i].... 

 to the north and the Fraser River Fraser River

The Fraser River is the longest river in British Columbia [i], Canada [i], rising near Mount Robson [i] ... 

 to the south. Those unfamiliar with the region may be surprised to learn that Vancouver is not on Vancouver Island Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island is located off Canada [i]'s Pacific [i] coast and is part of the Canadian province [i] ... 

. However, both the island and the city are named after Royal Navy Royal Navy

The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom [i] is the oldest of the British armed services [i] ... 

 Captain George Vancouver George Vancouver

George Vancouver was an officer of the Royal Navy [i], best known for his exploration of North America [i] ... 

 of Great Britain Great Britain

Great Britain is an island lying off the northwestern coast of mainland Europe [i] and to the east of Ireland [i] ... 

, who explored the region in 1792.

Vancouver has an area of 114.67 km² , including both flat and hilly ground. Vancouver has a wet climate Climate

The climate is commonly considered to be the weather [i] averaged over a long period of time, typically ... 

 and is surrounded by water; while early records show that there may have been as many as fifty creeks and streams in the area, currently only four are left.

Climate



Vancouver's climate is unusually temperate by Canadian standards; its winters are the fourth warmest of Canadian cities monitored by Environment Canada Environment Canada

The Department of the Environment or Environment Canada [i] is the department [i] ... 

, after nearby Victoria Victoria, British Columbia

Victoria is a Canadian city [i], and the provincial [i] cap ... 

, Nanaimo Nanaimo, British Columbia

Nanaimo, is the second largest city on Vancouver Island [i] in British Columbia [i], Canada [i]. ... 

, and Duncan, all of which are found on Vancouver Island. Vancouver has daily minimum temperatures falling below 0°C on an average of 46 days per year and below -10°C on only two days per year. Precipitation varies from about 1,100 mm at Point Grey to 3,500 mm or more near the north shore mountains. Summer months are generally sunny and very dry, often resulting in yellow grass in parks and lawns. Temperatures are moderate. The daily maximum averages 22°C in July and August, and temperatures rise above 30°C only about once every five summers on average. Recent summers have been getting warmer. Thunderstorm Thunderstorm

A thunderstorm, or an electrical storm [i], is a form of weather [i] characterized by the presence ... 

s are rare, with zero to about six per year. Rainfall is frequent in winter Winter

Winter is one of the four season [i]s of temperate [i] zones. ... 

; more than half of all winter days record measureable precipitation, snowfall much less so, with only 11 winter days averaging any snowfall, and only 3 days with amounts of 6 cm or greater.

Despite it's reputation as a cloudy city , Vancouver actually averages 288 days with measurable sunshine.

Flora


The original vegetation of most of Vancouver and its suburbs was dense temperate rain forest Temperate rain forest

Temperate rain forests are conifer [i]ous or broadleaf forests that occur in the mid-latitudes in areas ... 

, mostly conifers with scattered pockets of maple and alder, plus large areas of swampland . The conifers were the usual coastal BC mix of Sitka spruce Sitka Spruce

The Sitka Spruce is a large evergreen [i] tree [i] growing to 50-70 m tall, exceptionally to 96 m tall, ... 

, Western red cedar Thuja plicata

Thuja plicata is a species of thuja [i], an evergreen [i] coniferous [i] tree [i] in the c... 

, Western hemlock Western Hemlock

The Western Hemlock is a large evergreen [i] coniferous [i] tree [i] growing to 50-70 m tall, ... 

 and Douglas fir Douglas-fir

Douglas-fir is the common name applied to coniferous [i] tree [i]s of the genus [i] Pseudots ... 

 and yew, and were reckoned to be the greatest concentration of the largest of these trees on the entire British Columbia Coast; only those of Seattle's Elliott Bay rivalled those of Burrard Inlet and English Bay in size, and there too sawmills and lumbering sprang up to exploit the gigantic trees which were within an "easy"
drag of the shoreline, and therefore markets. The largest trees in Vancouver's old-growth forest were in the area of what is now Gastown Gastown

Gastown is an area of Vancouver, British Columbia [i], located between Downtown and the Downtown Eastside [i] ... 

, where the first logging occurred, and on the south slopes of False Creek False Creek

False Creek is a short inlet in the heart of Vancouver [i], British Columbia [i], Canada [i], separating ... 

 and English Bay, especially around Jericho Beach. Stanley Park, which to most people appears to be first-growth, is actually mostly second and third growth and evidence of old-fashioned logging techniques such as springboard Springboard

See also: gymnastics springboard [i]
... 

 notches can be seen throughout the park.

A diverse range of plants and trees were imported from other parts of the continent and from points across the Pacific and can be found growing throughout Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. Various species of palm trees have proven to be hardy to this climate, and are a common sight as are large numbers of other exotic trees including the monkey puzzle tree Araucaria araucana

Araucaria araucana is the hardiest species in the conifer [i] genus Araucaria [i]. ... 

, the Japanese maple Japanese Maple

Japanese Maple is a species of maple [i] native to Japan [i], Korea [i], and northeast China [i]. ... 

 and various flowering exotics such as magnolias Magnolia

Magnolia is a large genus [i] of about 210 flowering plant [i] species [i] in the subfamily Magnolioideae [i] ... 

, azaleas Azalea

Azaleas are flowering shrub [i]s making up part of the genus Rhododendron [i]. ... 

 and rhododendrons Rhododendron

Rhododendron is a genus of flowering plants in the family Ericaceae [i].... 

. Many rhododendrons have grown to immense size as with other species imported from harsher climates in Eastern Canada or Europe; although the native Douglas maple List of Acer species

List of Acer species:

  • Acer acuminatolobum [i]

... 

 can attain tremendous size. Also, streets in large areas of the city are lined with varieties of flowering Japanese cherry Sakura

[i] trees, [[Prunus serrulata]... 

 which were donated by Japan Japan

is an island country [i] in East Asia [i]. ... 

 in the 1930s and make an impressive show every spring. Certain areas of West Vancouver West Vancouver, British Columbia

West Vancouver is a district municipality [i] in the province of British Columbia [i]. ... 

 which have the right balance of sunlight and rainfall are home to the arbutus Arbutus

Arbutus is a genus [i] of flowering plant [i]s in the family Ericaceae [i], native to warm temperate ... 

 , which is more associated with the climate of the Gulf Islands Gulf Islands

The Gulf Islands is the name collectively given to the island [i]s in the Strait of Georgia [i] between ... 

, Greater Victoria Greater Victoria, British Columbia

Greater Victoria is located in British Columbia [i], Canada [i], on the southern tip of Vancouver Island [i] ... 

, and northern Puget Sound Puget Sound

Puget Sound is a sound [i] connected to the Pacific Ocean [i] via the Strait of Juan de Fuca [i] ... 

.


Scenery

Vancouver is internationally renowned for its beautiful scenery. Vancouver has one of North America's largest urban parks, Stanley Park Stanley Park

[i], [[British Columbia]... 

. The North Shore mountains dominate the city landscape, and on a clear day scenic vistas include the snow-capped volcano Mount Baker Mount Baker

Mount Baker is a glaciated andesitic [i] stratovolcano [i] in the Cascades [i] o ... 

 in the State of Washington Washington

Washington is a state [i] in the Pacific Northwest [i] of the United States [i]. ... 

 to the southeast; Vancouver Island Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island is located off Canada [i]'s Pacific [i] coast and is part of the Canadian province [i] ... 

 across the Strait of Georgia Strait of Georgia

The Strait of Georgia is a 240 km-long strait [i] between Vancouver Island [i] and the mainland Pacific [i] ... 

 to the west and southwest and the Sunshine Coast to the northwest.

Air pollution

The air quality in the city has been deteriorating over the last several decades, largely due to the fast pace unable to be stopped immigration , increasing number of cars, and traffic jam all over Fraser Valley area, yellow sky can be seen year around. Vancouver is a fast-growing city on Canada’s west coast, where the car population is growing at almost twice the speed of the human population , and where the resulting volume of cars is causing increasing congestion, pollution, frustration, stress, and economic loss, as in so many cities around the world, although some actions have be taken by various levels of government . The British Columbia Lung Association reported that between 2001 and 2003, Vancouver had lower particulate matter pollution than other cities in British Columbia, including Victoria, Prince George, and Kelowna. Air quality in the Fraser Valley often suffers as Vancouver's pollution is blown in that direction and "boxed in" by the mountains. Air quality measurements for the Lower Fraser Valley, including Vancouver, are updated and published every hour online by the Greater Vancouver Regional District Greater Vancouver Regional District

n>Greater Vancouver Regional District, British Columbia, Canada
... 

.

Social fabric

Vancouver is considered to be a relaxed city, particularly by North American standards. There is a lively cultural scene, many diversions, and year-round access to outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, boating, and skiing. Some have called it a "city of neighbourhoods", each with a distinct character and ethnic mix. The city is consistently ranked within the top 3 cities in the world in which to live.

Increasingly, however, this popularity comes with a price. Vancouver can be an expensive city, with the highest housing prices in Canada. A recent survey comparing median house prices to median incomes found Vancouver was the most unaffordable city for housing in Canada -- and the fifteenth worst in the world, just marginally better than London London

London is the capital [i] city of England [i] and of the United Kingdom [i]. ... 

. The city has adopted various strategies to reduce housing costs, including cooperative housing, legalized secondary suites, increased density and smart growth. Nevertheless, as with many other cities in North America, homelessness is a concern, as is the growing gap between rich Wealth

Wealth from the old English word "weal", which meant "well-being" or "welfare [i]". ... 

 and poor Poverty

Poverty is understood in many senses.... 

. The city’s residents are thought to be affluent, a superficial perception reinforced by the number of luxury vehicles Luxury vehicles

A luxury vehicle is a vehicle [i] which provides a great abundance of ease and comfort. ... 

 on city streets, the rate at which residential properties sell , and, according to the Vancouver Sun, the fact that Vancouverites are three times more likely to dine out than other Canadians. The issue of house prices is most evident because as of July 2006, 30% of all houses in Vancouver are listed at over a million dollars, which makes the city more expensive than in any other major Canadian city, with Toronto in second, with house prices averaging $370,000 in comparison. It should be noted that a number of municipalities in British Columbia within 2-3 hours from Vancouver, such as Whistler, Victoria, Langley, have average house prices ranging from $500,000 to 2.5 million dollars. In few other cities in Canada is the disparity between rich and poor so vivid. The Downtown Eastside Downtown Eastside

The Downtown Eastside is the oldest neighbourhood in Vancouver [i] and generally believed to be the poorest [i] ... 

 district of Vancouver is one of the poorest neighbourhoods in Canada,yet is located a mere six to ten blocks from expensive downtown areas such as the gentrified Yaletown Yaletown

Yaletown is an area of downtown Vancouver [i] approximately bordered by False Creek [i] ... 

 and Coal Harbour Coal Harbour

Coal Harbour is the name for a section of Burrard Inlet [i] lying between Vancouver's downtown peninsula ... 

 neighbourhoods.

Vancouver's population density on the downtown peninsula is 49 people per acre . City planners in the late 1950s and 1960s deliberately encouraged the development of high-rise condominium towers in the West End West End, Vancouver

External links
      • ... 

         downtown neighbourhood, which has resulted in a compact, pedestrian/transit/bike friendly urban core. A major and ongoing downtown condominium construction boom began in the late 1990s, financed in large part by a huge flow of capital from Hong Kong Hong Kong

        The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China is one of the two special administrative regions [i] ... 

         immigrants prior to the 1997 hand-over. High-rise residential developments from this period now dominate the Yaletown and Coal Harbour districts of the downtown peninsula, and also cluster around some of the SkyTrain stations on the east side of the city. Vancouver continues to pursue policies intended to increase density as an alternative to sprawl Urban sprawl

        Urban sprawl, a term with pejorative implication, refers to the rapid and expansive growth of a greater ... 

        , most recently in the form of Mayor Sam Sullivan Sam Sullivan

        Sam Sullivan, CM [i] is the current Mayor of Vancouver [i], British Columbia [i], Canada ... 

        's Eco-Density initiative.


Vancouver is showing some evidence of attaining world city status. Globalization and World Cities Study Group and Network Global city

A global city and world city, or world-class city, is a concept introduced by a group of aca... 

 gave the city two points.

Crime

As of 2005, Greater Vancouver had the highest crime rate among major Canadian cities . Vancouver's property-crime rate is particularly high; ranking among the highest rates of property crime for major cities in all of North America. One of the most common property crimes in the Vancouver area is automobile break-in; thus visitors are advised to conceal all items left in their car, and to use auto-theft protection devices.

Demographics



Vancouver is home to people of many ethnic backgrounds and religions. The Chinese are by far the largest visible ethnic minority group in the city. Vancouver has one of the most diverse Chinese-speaking communities, with several dialects of Chinese Chinese language

Chinese is a language [i] that forms part of the Sino-Tibetan family [i] of lan ... 

 being represented. Vancouver contains the second largest Chinatown Chinatown

A Chinatown is a section an urban area associated with a large number of Chinese [i] re... 

 in North America . There are also many multicultural neighbourhoods, such as the Punjabi Market Punjabi Market, Vancouver

Sorry, no overview for this topic 

, Little Italy, Greektown, Japantown Japantown (Vancouver)

Japantown, Little Yokohama, or Little Tokyo was a neighbourhood in Vancouver [i] British Columbia [i] ... 

, Commercial Drive Commercial Drive (Vancouver)

Commercial Drive is a roadway in the city of Vancouver [i] in British Columbia [i], Canada [i] that goes ... 

, and a series of Koreatowns. Bilingual street signs can be seen at these centres of ethnic concentration.

Many immigrants from Hong Kong Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China is one of the two special administrative regions [i] ... 

 made Vancouver their home following the transfer of sovereignty of that former British colony from the United Kingdom to China. This continued a tradition of immigration from around the world that had already established Vancouver as the second most multi-ethnic of Canada's cities before the Hong Kong influx began. Other significant Asian ethnic groups in Vancouver are South Asians , Vietnamese, Filipino Filipino people

The Filipinos or the Filipino people are the native inhabitants and citizen [i]s of the Republic o ... 

, Korean Korean people

The Korean people are one of the main East Asia [i]n ethnic group [i]s. ... 

, Cambodian Demographics of Cambodia

Between 1874 [i] and 1921 [i], the total population of Cambodia [i] increased from about 946,000 to 2.4 millio... 

, and Japanese Japanese people

The are the people having identity [i] as a Japan [i]ese. ... 

.

Non-visible minorities, such as newly-arrived Eastern Europeans and the new wave of Latin American arrivals, are also a feature of the city's ethnic landscape. Prior to the Hong Kong influx of the 1980s, the largest non-British ethnic group in the city was German, followed by Ukrainian and the Scandinavian ethnicities.

There is also a sizable community of aboriginal people in Vancouver as well as in the surrounding metropolitan region, with the result that Vancouver constitutes the largest native community in the province.

Lifestyle


The city of Vancouver has developed a reputation as a tolerant city that is open to social experimentation and alternative lifestyles as well as being willing to explore alternative drug Drug abuse

Drug abuse has a wide range of definitions, all of them relating either to the misuse or overuse of a psychoactive drug [i]... 

 policies. The city has adopted a Four Pillars Drug Strategy, which combines harm reduction with treatment, enforcement, and prevention. The strategy is largely a response to endemic HIV HIV

Human immunodeficiency virus or HIV is a retrovirus [i] that causes Acquired Immunodeficiency Sy ... 

 and hepatitis C Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a blood-borne [i], infectious, viral [i] disease that is caused ... 

 among injection drug users in the city's Downtown Eastside Downtown Eastside

The Downtown Eastside is the oldest neighbourhood in Vancouver [i] and generally believed to be the poorest [i] ... 

 neighbourhood. The area is characterized by entrenched poverty, the commercial sex trade, and an AIDS AIDS

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome is a collection of symptoms and infections [i] ... 

 epidemic that in the 1990s became the worst in the developed world. Some community and professional groups — such as From Grief to Action and Keeping the Door Open — are fostering public dialogue in the city about further alternatives to current drug policies. The former mayor, Larry Campbell, came to office in 2002 in part because of his willingness to champion alternative interventions for drug issues, such as supervised injection sites. Although it is technically illegal, Vancouver police generally do not arrest people for possessing small amounts of marijuana Cannabis (drug)

The drug [i] cannabis, also called marijuana, is produced from parts of the cannabis [i]... 

. Police have, however, been involved in raids on cafes that openly sold marijuana and have aggressive programs to shut down hydroponic marijuana growing operations in residential areas.

While not completely free of racial tension, Vancouver is known for having more harmonious race relations than most large multiethnic cities. One result is a relatively high rate of intermarriage; mixed ethnicity couples are unremarkable in any neighbourhood. Sushi is one of the most popular foods in the city, with more than 300 sushi restaurants in the metropolitan area. Both the annual Dragon Boat Festival and Lunar New Year's Day Parade are well attended by residents of all ethnic backgrounds. Vancouver has a relatively large music and arts scene and one of the largest gay communities in North America North America

North America is a continent [i] in the Earth [i]'s northern hemisphere [i] and almost fully in the western hemisphere [i]... 

. The area of downtown along Davie Street is home to most of the city's gay clubs and bars and is known as Davie Village. Every year Vancouver holds one of the country's largest Gay Pride Parades, which attracts as many as hundreds of thousands of spectators.

The influx of Hong Kong Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China is one of the two special administrative regions [i] ... 

 immigrants in the 1980s led to the popularization of a brag invented by new-immigrant Chinese youths from Hong Kong, who dubbed the city "Hongcouver". It was largely a media phenomenon and was never in wide usage among Vancouverites , although it may have become current in other cities and areas of BC for a short time because of the media coverage.

Rankings

Vancouver consistently ranks among the top five cities in worldwide "quality of life" rankings. Most recently, the city ranked first in a worldwide quality of life survey conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit. In a similar survey by Mercer Human Resource Consulting, Vancouver ranked second in 2002 and 2003 and third in 2004. Vancouver has tied for first with the cities of Salzburg Salzburg

Salzburg is a city [i] in western Austria [i] and the capital [i] ... 

 and Oslo Oslo

Oslo is the capital [i] and largest city of Norway [i]. ... 

 among the UN United Nations

name = United Nations
Nations Unies
... 

 chosen cities for highest living standards the last 4 years running. Condé Nast Traveler magazine named Vancouver the "Readers' Choice #1 City in the Americas" for 2005. The city generally ranks first when compared to its Canadian and U.S. peers.

The City of Vancouver also maintains a running public record of the complete list of city awards that Vancouver has won.

Economy


With its location on the Pacific Rim Pacific Rim

Pacific Rim is a political [i] and economic [i] term used to designate the countries [i] on the edges of ... 

 and at the western terminus of Canada's transcontinental highway Trans-Canada Highway

The Trans-Canada Highway is a federal-provincial highway [i] system that joins all ten provinces [i] ... 

 and rail routes, Vancouver is one of the nation's largest industrial centres.

The Port of Vancouver Port of Vancouver

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... 

, Canada's largest and most diversified, does more than $43 billion in trade with over 90 countries annually. Port activities generate $4 billion in gross domestic product and $8.9 billion in economic output.

Vancouver is the headquarters of forest product Forestry

Forestry is the art, science, and practice of studying and managing forest [i]s and plantation [i]s, and ... 

 and mining Mining

Mining is the extraction of valuable [i] mineral [i]s or other geological [i] materials f ... 

 companies. In recent years, Vancouver has become an increasingly important centre for software development Software engineering

Software Engineering is the discipline of designing, creating, and maintaining software [i] by applying ... 

, biotechnology Biotechnology

Biotechnology is technology [i] based on biology [i], especially when used in agriculture [i], food science [i] ... 

 and a vibrant film industry Film industry

The film industry consists of the technological and commercial institutions of filmmaking: i.e.... 

.

The city’s scenic location makes it a major tourist destination. Visitors come for the city’s gardens, Stanley Park Stanley Park

[i], [[British Columbia]... 

, Queen Elizabeth Park, and a combination of mountains, ocean, forest and parklands surrounding the city. The city's numerous beaches, parks, waterfronts, and mountain backdrop, combined with its cultural and multi-ethnic character, all contribute to its unique appeal and style. Over a million people annually pass through Vancouver en route to a cruise ship Cruise ship

A cruise ship is a passenger ship [i] used for pleasure voyages, where the voyage itself and the ship's ... 

 vacation, usually to Alaska Alaska

Alaska is a U.S. state [i], located on the northwest tier [i] of North America [i] ... 

.

Vancouver International Airport is Canada's second busiest airport and the second largest gateway on the west coast of North America for international passengers.

The 1986 World Exposition Expo 86

The 1986 World Exposition on Transportation and Communication, or simply Expo '86, was a World's Fair [i] ... 

 was held in Vancouver. This World's Fair World's Fair

A World's Fair is any of various large exposition [i]s held since the mid-19th century [i]. ... 

 was the last to be held in North America and was considered to be a great success.

Government and politics



Vancouver is governed by the ten-member Vancouver City Council, a nine-member School Board, and a seven-member Parks Board, all elected for three-year terms through an at-large system.

Historically, in all levels of government, the more affluent west side of Vancouver has voted along conservative Conservatism

Conservatism is a political philosophy [i] that necessitates a defense of established values or the stat ... 

 or centre-right lines while the eastern side of the city has voted along left-wing lines. This was reaffirmed with the results of the 2005 provincial election British Columbia general election, 2005

The 38th British Columbia general election was held on May 17, 2005, to elect members of the Legislative Assembly [i] ... 

.


Though polarized, a political consensus has emerged in Vancouver around a number of issues. Protection of urban parks, a focus on the development of rapid transit as opposed to a freeway system, a harm reduction approach to illegal drug use and a general concern about community based development are examples of policies that have come to have broad support across the political spectrum Political spectrum

A political spectrum is a way of comparing or visualizing different political [i] positions. ... 

 in Vancouver.

In 1983, the City of Vancouver was one of the first cities in the world to declare itself a "Nuclear Weapons Free Zone". City Council has amended its policies and erected signage to this effect. This is mostly a symbolic declaration; Canadian municipalities have no jurisdiction over what can and cannot be brought into city limits,
and foreign countries do not disclose what weapons are on board visiting military vessels.

In the 2005 Municipal Election elections, City Council moved back to the right after a term dominated by the leftist Coalition of Progressive Electors . Sam Sullivan Sam Sullivan

Sam Sullivan, CM [i] is the current Mayor of Vancouver [i], British Columbia [i], Canada ... 

 of the centre-right Non-Partisan Association  narrowly defeated Jim Green for the position of mayor and was joined by 5 of his party's members on Council. The moderate left Vision Vancouver  brought 4 members to Council with the final seat going to COPE. The NPA also won 6 of 9 School Board seats and 5 of 7 Parks Board seats, while the remaining Board seats were won by COPE. Former Mayor Larry Campbell Larry Campbell

Larry W. Campbell, MBA [i] is the former Mayor [i] of Vancouver, British Columbia [i] ... 

 chose not to run for re-election and was subsequently appointed to the Senate of Canada Canadian Senate

The Senate of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada [i], along with the Sovereign [i] ... 

.

In the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia Legislative Assembly of British Columbia

The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia [i] is one of two components of the Parliament of Britis ... 

, Vancouver has ten constituencies: in the 2005 provincial election British Columbia general election, 2005

The 38th British Columbia general election was held on May 17, 2005, to elect members of the Legislative Assembly [i] ... 

, the BC Liberal Party British Columbia Liberal Party

The British Columbia Liberal Party is the governing political party [i] in British Columbia [i], Canada [i] ... 

 and the BC New Democratic Party New Democratic Party of British Columbia

The New Democratic Party of British Columbia is a social democratic [i] political party in British Columbia [i] ... 

 each won five seats.

In the Canadian House of Commons Canadian House of Commons

The House of Commons is a component of the Parliament of Canada [i], along with the Sovereign [i]... 

, Vancouver has five constituencies: in the 2004 federal elections Canadian federal election, 2004

The Canadian federal election, 2004, was held on June 28 [i], 2004 [i] to elect members of the 38th Parliament [i] ... 

, the Liberal Party of Canada Liberal Party of Canada

The Liberal Party of Canada, colloquially known as the Grits, is a Canadian [i] federal political party [i] ... 

 won four seats, while the New Democratic Party New Democratic Party

The New Democratic Party is a political party [i] in Canada [i] with a social democratic [i] ... 

 won one. In the
2006 federal elections Canadian federal election, 2006

The 2006 Canadian federal election was held on January 23, 2006, to elect members of the 39th Parliament [i] ... 

, all the same MPs were re-elected. However, on February 6, 2006, David Emerson David Emerson

David Lee Emerson, PC [i], Ph.D [i], MA [i] ... 

 of Vancouver Kingsway Vancouver Kingsway

Vancouver Kingsway is a federal electoral district [i] in British Columbia [i], Canada [i] ... 

 defected to the Conservative Party Conservative Party of Canada

The Conservative Party of Canada, colloquially known as the "Tories [i]", is a right-of-centre [i] ... 

, giving the Conservatives one seat in Vancouver. As of February 2006, the Liberals hold three seats, and the NDP and the Conservatives hold one each.

Infrastructure


Transportation

Municipal bylaws and geography have prevented the spread of urban freeway Freeway

A freeway is a type of highway [i] that is designed for safer [i] high-speed oper ... 

s, and the only major freeway within city limits is Highway 1 Trans-Canada Highway

The Trans-Canada Highway is a federal-provincial highway [i] system that joins all ten provinces [i] ... 

, which passes through the eastern edge of the city.

TransLink, the Greater Vancouver Regional District Greater Vancouver Regional District

n>Greater Vancouver Regional District, British Columbia, Canada
... 

 transportation authority, is responsible for roads and public transportation within region. It provides bus Bus

A bus is a large automobile intended to carry numerous persons in addition to the driver [i] and... 

 service, B-Line B-Line

Sorry, no overview for this topic 

 Rapid Bus Service , a foot passenger and bicycle ferry service , a two-line automated metro system called SkyTrain SkyTrain (Vancouver)

The SkyTrain in Greater Vancouver [i], British Columbia [i] ... 

, and the commuter rail West Coast Express West Coast Express

The West Coast Express has served since 1995 [i] as British Columbia [i]'s only interreg ... 

. Future projects include the Canada Line Canada Line

The Canada Line, formerly known as the Richmond-Airport-Vancouver Line, is a new rapid transit [i] ... 

, a commuter metro line will connect YVR and the neighbooring municipality, Richmond together from Downtown in less than 26 min. .

Inter-city passenger rail service is operated from Pacific Central Station by VIA Rail VIA Rail

VIA Rail Canada is an independent Crown corporation [i] offering intercity passenger rail [i] ... 

 to points east; Amtrak Cascades Amtrak Cascades

The Amtrak Cascades is a passenger train [i] route operated by Amtrak [i] in partnership with the st ... 

 to Seattle, Washington Seattle, Washington

Seattle is the largest city [i] in the Pacific Northwest [i] region of the United States [i]. ... 

; and Rocky Mountaineer Rocky Mountaineer

Rocky Mountaineer Vacations offers and operates numerous sightseeing railway routes in Canada [i].... 

 rail tour routes. The city is also served by two B.C. Ferries BC Ferries

British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. or BC Ferries is a company that provides all major passenger ... 

 terminals. One is to the northwest at Horseshoe Bay Horseshoe Bay, West Vancouver, British Columbia

Horseshoe Bay is an area within the district of West Vancouver [i]. ... 

, West Vancouver West Vancouver, British Columbia

West Vancouver is a district municipality [i] in the province of British Columbia [i]. ... 

, and the other is to the south, at Tsawwassen Tsawwassen, British Columbia

Tsawwassen is a suburban, mostly residential community in the southwestern part of the Corporation of Delta [i] ... 

 .

Vancouver is served by Vancouver International Airport Vancouver International Airport

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... 

 , located on Sea Island in the City of Richmond Richmond, British Columbia

This page is for the city of Richmond, British Columbia.... 

, immediately south of Vancouver. HeliJet HeliJet

Based at Vancouver International Airport [i] in Richmond, British Columbia [i], Canada [i] Helijet Internat ... 

 and two float plane Seaplane

A seaplane is a fixed-wing aircraft [i] designed to take off and land upon water.
... 

 companies operate scheduled air service from Vancouver harbour.

Elect