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Vancouver

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Vancouver is a major city in Western Canada. It sits in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia.

Vancouver aerial view
Vancouver aerial view

The city is located right by the Pacific Ocean. This location makes it a very important place for trade. Its large natural seaport connects Canada to Asia-Pacific, Europe, and East Asia.

PortOVan
PortOVan

The Port of Vancouver is the busiest and largest port in Canada. It is also the fourth-largest port by tonnage in the Americas. This makes the city a vital link for the whole country.

Many different kinds of people live in this city. Vancouver is one of the most diverse cities in Canada.

Vancouver neighbourhoods
Vancouver neighbourhoods

Nearly half of the people living there do not speak English as their first language. In fact, 47.8 percent of residents speak neither English nor French at home. This diversity makes the city a very interesting place to visit. It is known for being one of the most liveable cities in the world. However, it is also known as one of the most expensive places to find housing.

People have lived in this area for a very long time. Indigenous groups like the Squamish, Musqueam, and Tsleil-Waututh settled here over 10,000 years ago.

Draft of Major Matthews map of Vancouver's indigenous place names
Draft of Major Matthews map of Vancouver's indigenous place names

The Squamish people called the area a place of many maple trees. The modern city grew from a small settlement called Gastown. This area started around a sawmill and a tavern owned by Gassy Jack in 1867.

Maple Tree Corner Vancouver 1886
Maple Tree Corner Vancouver 1886

Later, the city was renamed Vancouver in 1886. This name honors George Vancouver, an explorer who visited the area in 1792.

The city has faced many big changes and events. In 1886, a great fire destroyed the entire city.

First Vancouver Council Meeting after fire
First Vancouver Council Meeting after fire

The people worked hard and rebuilt it very quickly. As time went on, the population grew very fast. By 1911, over 100,000 people lived in the city. Vancouver has also hosted many famous international events. These include the 2010 Winter Olympics and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.

BC Place Stadium - panoramio
BC Place Stadium - panoramio

Today, Vancouver is a center for many different activities. Forestry is still its largest industry.

Vancouver by Sentinel-2
Vancouver by Sentinel-2

Because the city is surrounded by nature, tourism is also a very big industry. Many people come to see the beautiful landscape. The city is also famous for making movies.

Vancouver and Science World blue hour dusk 2008
Vancouver and Science World blue hour dusk 2008

This has earned the area the nickname "Hollywood North." From its busy ports to its film studios, Vancouver remains a very active place.

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🖼️ Images & Media (31)
Draft of Major Matthews map of...
File:Maple Tree Corner Vancouver 1886.jpg
Maple Tree Corner Vancouver 1886.jpg
File:First Vancouver Council Meeting after fire.jpg
First Vancouver Council Meeting after fire.jpg
File:RCMP 1938 sitdowner strike.jpg
RCMP 1938 sitdowner strike.jpg
File:Downtown celebrations at the end of World War II, VPL 42793 (17106384760).jpg
Downtown celebrations at the end of World...
File:Vancouver by Sentinel-2.jpg
Vancouver by Sentinel-2.jpg
File:Vancouver aerial view.jpg
Vancouver aerial view.jpg
File:Robson Square Vancouver 03.JPG
Robson Square Vancouver 03.JPG
File:Waterfront station Vancouver (42914420220).jpg
Waterfront station Vancouver (42914420220).jpg
File:Living Shangri-La from One Wall Centre.jpg
Living Shangri-La from One Wall Centre.jpg
File:PortOVan.jpg
PortOVan.jpg
File:Vancouver neighbourhoods.jpg
Vancouver neighbourhoods.jpg

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