Interesting Facts About Vancouver

Located along the West coast of Canada, Vancouver is the third largest Canadian city, after Toronto and Montreal. Endowed with scenic landscapes, this marvelous and majestic city is famous for its tourist attractions like the Granville Island, the Robson Street and the Stanley Park. Surrounded by water on three sides and flanked by beautifully maintained parks, Vancouver is the perfect destination for a romantic getaway. Rated as the city with best quality of life, Vancouver is a perfect model for other metropolitan cities to follow. Incorporated in 1886, the city is named after Captain George Vancouver — a British Royal Navy officer who explored North-Western Pacific Coast Regions. Until then, the name Vancouver referred to the Vancouver Island, which is different from the Vancouver city. Though located in one of the most dangerous geographical fault that threatens the city of a major earthquake anytime, it continues to top the real estate value in North America. Read on to know more facts about this wonderful city.

Interesting Facts About Vancouver

• Vancouver is a city with interesting geography — it has snow covered mountain peaks and ocean located close to each other. This means you can enjoy skiing in the snowy mountains as well as swim in the sea on the same day. Interesting, isn’t it?
• Around 50 % of the residents in Vancouver, like many other Canadian cities, are not Vancouverites; the city is famous for its ethnically diverse population.
• Vancouver is nicknamed as “city of neighborhoods” because it is divided into ethnically diverse neighborhoods. Though English, Scottish and Irish people dominated the city once, it is now increasingly populated with Chinese people. Some famous neighborhood of this city includes Little Italy, Greektown, Japan town and the Punjabi Market.
• Vancouver is the second largest port of North-America, in both tonnage and physical, after New York. Also, it is one of the major cruise ship ports in the world.
• Vancouver holds the highest proportion of Asians than any other North American city and thus, it is famous for the multitude of diverse Asian restaurants in this city. Also, Vancouver holds one of the oldest and largest China towns in North America.
• Vancouver has an important place in America’s film industry. It holds the second position in film production center in North America, second largest Television production after Los Angeles, and the third largest feature film production after Los Angeles and New York. No wonder that this city is fondly called as Hollywood North!
• Vancouver has the wealthiest neighborhoods in Canada and is one of the most expensive cities in the world. It is estimated that the average annual household income of this city is about $60,000 or more and thus evidently, has more millionaires. Most of the wealthy corporate executives, movie stars and other celebrities live here and thus, has the highest real estate value in Canada.
• One factor that weighs on the negative side of the city is that it holds one of the highest crime rates amongst the Canadian cities, though much below other American cities. It has reported the highest property crimes in North America.
• Unlike other big cities in the world, you cannot buy alcohol from a grocery store here, as it is banned by law. Merchandising alcoholic beverages is strictly restricted to government liquor store or a few private establishments. However, licensed beer and wine stores are empowered to sell beer and wine. Due to high liquor taxes in Canada, only a few restaurants serve liquor.
• You cannot smoke in public. Smoking in indoor locations like bars and restaurants are strictly banned.
• World’s largest environmental organization – Greenpeace originated in this city.
• Vancouver shares the recognition of ‘tenth cleanest city in the world’ with Montreal. The authorities here are very strict about this matter and prefer to keep the city clean and tidy.
• Vancouver’s Kitsilano salt water pool, which measures 137.5 meters (451 feet), a size that is equivalent to three Olympic regulation size pools, holds the title of Canada’s longest pool. The pool maintains a constant temperature of 25oC (77F) to make you feel comfortable always, whatever the climatic conditions may be.
• The beautiful city of Vancouver is sitting on one of the most dangerous geographic location; it is located on a major geological fault and can anytime be a victim of a strong earthquake that may measure 8.0 or more in Richter scale.
• The Vancouver city maintains an aquarium that is ranked among the top 5 aquariums in the world.
• The city enjoys considerable rainfall and hence the name ‘Wet City’.
• Vancouver city is connected by extensive bus system. The city has implemented a rapid transit system for easy commuting. The commuter train service also plays an important role in providing easy access between places.
• Vancouver has one of the largest gay community in Canada and also, the city has gay-friendly establishments like restaurants, night clubs, festivals, hotels, etc. and this city hosts a large annual gay pride ‘Parades Vancouver’ in every August, which is one of the major event in the city.
• Vancouver’s Kitsilano Beach was rated as one of North America’s Sexiest Beaches by Forbes.