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by
Suzanne Carmel
 | The
Lion's Gate Bridge, Vancouver. |
Rain
in Vancouver, British Columbia might seem an inauspicious beginning for a trip
to spots that together were once touted as the "Golden Triangle". Even
so, there is something golden about a rainy day in this westernmost Canadian province's
biggest city -- a traveler's urge to explore a new city, despite the rain. The
best way is with one of the two-hour city tours. Colorful trolleys pick up and
drop off at many points in this vibrant city. Even without getting off at the
stops to investigate further, you can still get a good overview of the city. Most
tourists who come to British Columbia (B.C.) visit Vancouver and choose between
Victoria or Whistler, but those who make it to all three distinct destinations
will be rewarded for their efforts. In fact, the province is so diverse you can
spend several weeks here and explore many other fascinating regions as well, such
as the Canadian Rockies and the Okanagan Valley. B.C. is the third largest province
in Canada, with only 30 nations in the world and one U.S. state (Alaska) bigger
in size. British
Columbia is known for its incredible scenery. More than three-fourths of the province
is considered mountainous; 55 percent is covered by forest; and there are 675
provincial parks and recreation areas in which to explore the great outdoors.
The
province's ties to Great Britain are also noteworhty. Over 90 percent of the land
is owned by the provincial government as Crown land (a British term signifying
government interest). Victoria, the capital city of British Columbia since 1868
was established in 1843 as Fort Victoria, the outpost of Hudson's Bay Company.
It sits at the southern tip of Vancouver Island, and was the first Crown Colony
in 1849. The mainland of British Columbia was declared a Crown Colony in 1858
and given its name by Queen Victoria. British
Columbia is known for the diversity of its population and cultures. Aboriginal
people have lived in this province, where you'll find the majority of Aboriginal
land claims in Canada, for thousands of years. First Nations people represent
3.4 percent of the total population. As the gateway to the Pacific Rim, British
Columbia also has a thriving Asian population.
The
variety and vibrancy of British Columbia makes it the perfect vacation destination
and these three hot spots should be must-sees on everyone's itinerary. (CONTINUE...)
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