Vancouver

Vancouver is a major coastal city in the province of British Columbia, Canada, with a population of 662,248. It is located on the Pacific Ocean between the Coast Mountains and the Strait of Georgia, making it one of Canada’s most geographically distinctive urban centres. The area has been inhabited for thousands of years by Indigenous peoples, including the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. Vancouver developed rapidly in the late 19th century following the arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway and was incorporated as a city in 1886.

The city is internationally known for its natural setting, multicultural population, and cultural institutions. The Vancouver Art Gallery, housed in a former courthouse building, is one of the largest art museums in Western Canada. Science World, a prominent science museum located at the eastern end of False Creek, is a recognizable landmark with its geodesic dome. Vancouver has also produced many notable public figures, including actors Ryan Reynolds and Cobie Smulders. Today, Vancouver is a major centre for trade, film production, tourism, and environmental initiatives in the Pacific Northwest.