Wilderness and civilization
British Columbia is a land of exceptional mountain scenery, wild rivers, fjords and hundreds of islands that are home to ancient forests. Whether you ski on freshly powdered slopes, hike along wilderness trails, wander the endless stretches of Pacific shoreline, or explore its city streets and parks, you'll discover a remarkable province that will delight you at every turn.
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Overview
Southern British Columbia offers a wealth of possibilities to commune with nature. The waters that lap the deserted shores of beachSes beckon you to relax and let your mind wander. Stately trees stand guard over unspoiled, tranquil areas untouched by human activities. Dotted with national and provincial parks, which lie stretched across the loveliest parts of the province, this region has an extremely varied landscape, with everything from perpetually snow-covered peaks to desert valleys and rivers teeming with fish.
The Okanagan Valley is home to countless orchards and some of the best wineries in the province. As one magnificent landscape succeeds another, your eyes will be dazzled by the fertile lands and sparkling lakes, presided over by the majestic Rocky mountains.
The forest found along the coast of B.C., as well as on the Queen Charlotte Islands and the west coast of Vancouver Island is so lush that it is referred to as temperate rain forest, the counterpart of the tropical rain forest. Douglas firs and western red cedars abound, as does the Sitka spruce. Warmed by the current from Japan, the waters of the Pacific maintain a higher temperature than those of the Atlantic, which are cooled by the Labrador current. As a result, this region features very distinctive forms of marine life.
Vancouver is truly a modern city, whose urban landscape is framed by the mighty elements of the sea and the rugged Rocky Mountains. Vancouver is one of the most multicultural metropolises of the Pacific Rim. Most of its residents were lured here by the magnificent setting and the climate, which is remarkably mild in a country known for its bitter winters and stifling summers. Vancouver, where Asia meets America, is a city well worth discovering.
Vancouver Island is split into two distinct regions by a chain of mountains that divides the north from the south. The open ocean has sculpted the west side, creating big, deep fjords while the shoreline on the east side is much more smooth and continuous. Located at the southern tip of Vancouver Island, Victoria is the capital of the province. This city was settled by many British immigrants, who brought with them the customs and traditions of their homeland, providing Victoria with an unmistakably British character. Any tour of Victoria starts at the port, which was the city's main point of access for decades.
Where on earth?
- British Columbia is located in the western extremity of Canada bordered by the Pacific Ocean. Three quarters of the territory in this coastal province is more than 930 m (3,051 feet) above sea level.
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Links
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