About Vancouver Island

The largest island on the west coast of North America, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, has a diversity that is found nowhere else.

From sandy ocean beaches to towering glacier-draped mountains to dense rain forests, the island contains a rich eco-system that is home to thousands of plant and animal species. This diversity has made Vancouver Island one of the world's top tourism destinations: a place to fish for huge salmon, climb a mountain, wander through a grove of 800-year-old trees, paddle with killer whales along a craggy shoreline, watch Native carvers create a totem pole, hike some of the most beautiful trails in the world, ski a world-class run, make a putt on any of the 50-plus golf courses, or just to relax on a warm sandy beach. The people and Vancouver Island can rightfully boast that this corner of the world is a piece of paradise. A place, they like to brag, where you can swim, golf and ski all in the same day!

Geography: Vancouver Island is 450 kilometers (300 miles) long and 100 kilometers (60 miles) at its widest point. From sand and rock at sea level, the island rises into towering mountains that geographically and climatically split the island down its center. The highest mountain, Golden Hinde, soars 2,200 meters (7,219 feet) in almost in the exact center of Vancouver Island. The island's mountain slopes are covered with trees, while low-lying areas on the eastern shore have been turned into some of the most productive farmland in the province. Vancouver Island is separated from the mainland by the Strait of Georgia, a narrow body of water that teems with marine life including salmon, seals, killer whales and birds. The Strait and its scattered islands offer protected waters for ships travelling north, including the huge cruise ships sailing to Alaska.

The mountains down the spine of the island shape most of the west coast, sloping down to meet the sea with mostly jagged shoreline. Constantly under assault from the pounding Pacific Ocean, the west coast also has some incredible sandy beaches, including the world famous Long Beach between Ucluelet and Tofino.

The south and north ends of the island are dominated by rolling hills, shaped during the retreat of glaciers during the last ice age.

Climate: Brought in by the winds and currents of the Pacific, Vancouver Island's climate is considerably milder than that of the mainland. The moisture-laden ocean air first hits the westerly mountains, dumping huge amounts of rain in some areas. These rains have created and sustained the island's rain forests, home to some of the biggest trees in the world. These warm winds also keep the climate mild, with the west coast rarely seeing snow in winter. The ocean air loses strength in its climb over the central mountains, making the east coast of the island much drier and warmer than the west. The south end of the island receives little annual precipitation, while, at lower elevations, winter snow is usually minimal. It is not unusual to see golfers on the course in mid January, while skiers try out the deep powder on nearby mountains.

Vegetation: As mentioned above, a good portion of the island is covered in trees, mainly Douglas fir, cedar, hemlock, balsam, alder, spruce and cottonwood. The forests have been the backbone of the island economy, with island mills sending pulp, paper and lumber around the world. The island also supports lush ground cover, mainly ferns, salal, mosses, lichens, berry bushes and flowering shrubs. In the drier south, Garry oak and Arbutus trees thrive.

Marine life: The waters around Vancouver Island teem with life. Five species of salmon, halibut, cod, herring, shrimp and prawns sustain huge commercial and sport fisheries. Shellfish, including crab, oysters and clams litter the beaches. Interior lakes and streams, many of them stocked, are home to large populations of trout.

Wildlife: From killer whales to the rare and secretive Vancouver Island marmot, Vancouver Island offers an incredible diversity of wildlife. In the surrounding waters, you will find - in addition to killer whales - grey whales, seals, sea lions, otters and porpoises. Go under the water, and you'll find octopi, sharks, anemones, starfish, crabs, oysters and clams. On land look for a variety of songbirds, shorebirds and raptors including cormorants, ducks, herons, bald eagles, osprey, kingfishers, woodpeckers, owls, pheasant and grouse. Larger animals include black bear, cougar, deer and Roosevelt elk. Surprisingly, Vancouver Island does not have skunks, porcupine, mountain goat or grizzly bear.

History: For thousands of years before the first European explorers set foot on Vancouver Island, Native Indians inhabited much of the island's coastline. A predominantly subsistence lifestyle, the abundant sea provided food while the surrounding forests, particularly the cedar tree, provided bark for clothing and shelter while the wood was used for canoes, totem poles, ceremonial and spiritual items. This thriving culture, smothered following the arrival of Europeans in 1778, is again strong. Coastal native art is some of the most sought after art in the world.

Captain James Cook was the first European to set foot on Vancouver Island, stepping ashore at Friendly Cove on the northwest side of Vancouver Island in 1778. He was followed by other English and Spanish explorers and navigators, including Vancouver, Barkley, Narvaez, Quadra and Quimper. While Vancouver gave his name to the largest of the islands, the Spaniards also left their legacy. The islands of Quadra, Cortes, Valdes and others carry the name of early Spanish explorers.

The Europeans exploited the natural riches of Vancouver Island, exporting trees, furs and fish to far-flung countries. It would be another 70 years before an actual settlement was established on Vancouver Island. In 1842, the Hudson's Bay Company established a fort on the southern tip of the island. Named for Queen Victoria, the fort is now a thriving capital city of over 300,000 people. Being named for a British queen may have something to do with Victoria's image as being as British as they come. Victorians do love their British heritage - and no afternoon is complete without tea at the stately Empress Hotel.

During the late 1800s, settlements began sprouting up the east side of Vancouver Island. Nanaimo and the central island grew on rich seams of coal found in the mid 1800s. When the coal ran out in the 1930s, Nanaimo, Cumberland, Courtenay and Comox had already turned to the wealth of the forests and the sea. The north end of the island also grew on the harvesting of trees and fish, creating the communities of Campbell River, Sayward, Port McNeill and Port Hardy. On the west coast, along with a string of Native villages are the communities of Port Renfrew, Bamfield, Ucluelet and Tofino.

While resource extraction continues to power many communities, more and more are turning to tourism. Vancouver Island's natural beauty, wildlife, mountains, beaches and wilderness attract hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. Ferry access from the mainland (Horseshoe Bay, Tsawwassen, Prince Rupert), and from Washington State (Port Angeles, Seattle and Anacortes) quickly bring visitors to the island. Victoria's international airport and other airports in Nanaimo, Courtenay/Comox, Campbell River and Port Hardy also make access easy. Still others prefer floatplanes.

Once on the island, a network of highways, including the new Inland Island Highway, quickly move people to points north and south. Others prefer to take the coastal Island Highway, which winds its way along the east coast through communities large and small.

In the 220 years since Captain Cook stepped ashore at the small Native community of Friendly Cove, Vancouver Island has grown into a thriving region of over 700,000 people. Still largely unspoiled, it is a bit of paradise that is now being discovered by the world.