British Columbia 23 Nov 2010
Intro About British Columbia
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The government of British Columbia, Canada invites you to explore the
many opportunities for business, education, working and living, and
visiting the province.
At the gateway to the Pacific, and set amidst the world's most
spectacular natural environment, British Columbia's multiculturalism
and innovative spirit are embodied in our diverse communities and
vibrant economy
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Culture And History of BC
The culture of British Columbia is extremely varied, ranging from
Aboriginal to European roots. British Columbia holds the largest Asian
population in Canada, and you will find many cultures to celebrate.
British Columbians represent cultures from more than 180 countries
around the world. It is home to over 200 first Nations, as well as
Inuit, Metis and other Aboriginals.
Multiculturalism is a way of life in British Columbia, and we celebrate
holidays and traditions from around the world, including Chinese New
Year, Diwali, Vaisakhi, Hanukah, Robbie Burns Day and St. Patrick's Day
— to name just a few.
Find out more about the cultural diversity of regions of British
Columbia by visiting the WelcomeBC.
The modern history of British Columbia begins with the First Nations
people who have lived and flourished on the lush natural resources of
these lands for over ten thousand years, since some time after the end
of the last Ice Age.
There are three prominent First Nations groups of the Pacific Northwest
who have divided the land between themselves for thousands of years:
the Nootka, the Coast Salish, and the Kwak'wala Speaking Peoples. The
rich land and marine resources enabled them to develop complex
societies and the intricate aboriginal art forms that are now
internationally acclaimed. To the east, in the region now known as the
British Columbia Rockies, the Kootenay were the original keepers of the
land, having fought fiercely for possession of the precious hot springs
found in these mountains. The Carrier nation roamed the interior
valleys, the Tsimshians ranged the northern coast, and the Tlingits
occupied southern Alaska and northern British Columbia. The Sekani and
Beaver occupied the eastern region of the north while the Haida lived
on the Queen Charlotte Islands.
As recently as 220 years ago the northwest coast of North America was
one of the least explored areas in the world. The geography of the land
presented many formidable natural barriers to European explorers. To
the east the soaring Rocky Mountains blocked the way, and the huge
Pacific Ocean separated distant land masses off the west coast. The
desire to explore and discover new land and natural resources prevailed
in the second half of the 18th century, with expeditions mounted by the
Russians, American, Spanish and British explorers and traders.
The peaceful existence of the aboriginal people was to change soon
after the first contact by Europeans in 1778, when Captain James Cook
set foot on Nootka Island on the northwest coast of Vancouver Island.
The Spanish later arrived and set up a base at Nootka under the command
of Don Juan Fransisco de la Bodega y Quadra, who had claimed the coast
of Alaska for Spain. In 1792, Captain George Vancouver, with his ships
Discovery and Chatham, arrived at Nootka Sound to take regain control
under the terms of the Nootka Convention.
Both explorers made the trip to Tahsis to resolve years of
Spanish/English rivalry that had played out on this Island, and
commenced working together at the task of mapping and exploring the
coast. A Treaty in 1793 gave the two countries joint ownership of
Nootka, but it was not long after the signing that Spain's dominance in
North America began to wane. The last Spanish ship was ordered out of
the area in 1795, marking the end of the Spanish influence In British
Columbia.
Southwestern British Columbia's history centres around the discovery of
the mighty Fraser River. Ironically, the early European explorers
roaming the coast missed the mouth of the Fraser River due to the dense
fog. The Fraser was discovered in 1791 by Spaniard Jose Maria Narvaez,
a pilot in the Spanish Navy.
Adventurous explorers and fur traders of the Northwest Company were
heading west across the Rockies. Michael Phillips was the first white
man to blaze a trail across the Canadian Rockies from west to east
through an unexplored pass, although routes were long known by the
First Nations people.
The Peace River, the only British Columbia River that drains into the
Arctic Ocean, was navigated by explorer Alexander Mackenzie in 1793.
Mackenzie was the first European to navigate the Peace River, which was
named for a treaty between the Cree and Beaver First nations in 1790.
In the Dean Channel near Bella Coola on the west coast, you can still
see the rock where he inscribed Alexander Mackenzie from Canada by land
22nd July 1793.
In 1794 the first white settlement in British Columbia was established
at what is now Fort St, John. In 1805, the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC)
opened their first trading post in the region at Hudson's Hope in the
north. In 1808, when Simon Fraser visited the communities along the
mouth of the Fraser River, he thought he had found the Columbia River.
After Simon Fraser came the equally famous explorer David Thompson, who
followed the Columbia River through British Columbia, into Washington
and on to its mouth at Astoria, Oregon. The names of these two
explorers are indelibly printed in the history of British Columbia,
adorning hotels, rivers and street signs. The two major fur trading
companies, the Hudson's Bay Company and the North West Company
amalgamated under the HBC in 1821.
The Hudson's Bay Company built Fort Victoria in 1843, and the colony of
Vancouver Island was established in 1849 when the entire island was
leased to the HBC. In 1858, over 20,000 determined prospectors (many
from California, where the gold rush of 1849 had petered out) came from
the HBC stockade of Fort Victoria and up the Fraser River in search of
recently discovered gold on the Fraser River. Soon, instant towns
sprang up and grew to become flourishing boomtowns. The legacy of these
prospectors can be found in the many Ghost Towns that dot the Interior
today.
In response to the frenzied discovery and mining of gold, the British
Government quickly created the mainland colony of British Columbia in
1858. Governor James Douglas, chief factor of the Hudson's Bay Company
and governor of Vancouver Island, became the new governor of British
Columbia. In 1866 the colony of Vancouver Island was combined with the
colony of British Columbia, with Victoria becoming the provincial
capital of British Columbia on April 2 1868. In 1871, with the promise
of completing the Canadian Pacific Railway by 1885, British Columbia
was lead into confederation, rather than join the United States to the
south, with Victoria as the seat of Government.
Gold discoveries continued, with gold being found in the Peace River in
1861. The Cariboo Wagon Road was constructed from the town of Yale to
the boomtown of Barkerville, which in in its heyday was the largest
city west of Chicago and north of San Fransisco. Completed in 1865, the
Cariboo Wagon Road opened up the British Columbia Interior, with mule
trains and stagecoaches plying the route, and roadhouses and boomtowns
dotting the roadside. Gold was discovered further north, placing Dawson
Creek on the brink of the huge Klondike Gold Rush of 1898.
The mining industry, the railway, and the geology of the land have all
contributed to the history and development of British Columbia. The
rise and fall of many settlements can be attributed to the route of the
railway, while natural features, such as the abundance of hot springs
in the BC Rockies, have been responsible for the eventual growth of
resort towns.
The fur and salmon trade brought great prosperity to the First Nations
people, whose society was organized around wealth, possessions and
potlatches. The HBC generally treated the natives fairly, and their
communities thrived. However, the commerce caused the indigenous people
to abandon their traditional homesites in favour of settlements closer
to the forts for improved trading and protection. The settlers
introduced muskets, alcohol and smallpox, all of which had a
devastating effect on the native people. Christian missionaries arrived
and set about banning the natives' traditional potlatches and
suppressing their languages and culture. Colonization and land
ownership conflicts soon followed, continuing to this day.
The culture of British Columbia is extremely varied, ranging from
Aboriginal to European roots. British Columbia holds the largest Asian
population in Canada, and you will find many cultures to celebrate
here.
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Regions of BC
British Columbia is a very large province and communities are very
different from each other. If you plan to move to British Columbia,
WelcomeBC has information that can help you decide where to live.
There are eight geographic regions in British Columbia.
1.Vancouver Island and Coast/Victoria
Vancouver Island is the largest island on the west coast of North
America. Greater Victoria is a city with 330,000 people; there are
small towns along the east coast, and wild and rugged beauty on the
west coast. Find out more about Vancouver Island and Coast/Victoria
Vancouver and Metropolitan Area
With 2.6 million people,Vancouver is British Columbia's largest city.
More than half of all British Columbians live here. It is also the host
city for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
2.Thompson/Okanagan
The Thompson Okanagan covers 95,000 square kilometres and has about 12
per cent of B.C.'s population - almost 515,000 people. It has four
distinct seasons, and is popular for summer and winter activities. In
June, July and August, it is one of the warmest and sunniest places in
Canada. Kelowna has about 113,000 people, and Kamloops has 85,000
people.
3.Kootenay
The region's spectacular mountain ranges — the Rockies, Selkirk,
Purcell, and Monashee — are a draw for year-round tourist activity.
There are many parks and recreation areas for camping, hiking,
sightseeing. Cranbrook, with 20,000 people, is the largest city in the
Kootenays.
4.Cariboo
The Cariboo is in the very centre of British Columbia. It is located on
a high plateau, surrounded by mountains. It is the third largest region
in the province, but has only four per cent of the population.
5.North Coast
The North Coast is a vast area of mountains, rainforest and river
valleys. Prince Rupert is the largest city in the region with a
population of 15,000.
6.Nechako
Nechako is the largest region in British Columbia, but it has the least
people. This part of British Columbia has thousands of lakes and is
home to caribou, moose, grizzly and black bears. The largest community
in the region is Smithers, with a population of just under 6,000.
7.Northeast
The Northeast covers about a quarter of the province and is rich in
resources, including oil and natural gas. Only two per cent of British
Columbians live here (67,000 people), and the region is known for its
wilderness and wildlife.
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LIVING
Living in BC
British Columbia is safe, welcoming and culturally diverse. Our big
cities to small villages attract people from around the world. We enjoy
great recreation, spectacular scenery and a healthy and active
lifestyle.
British Columbia is a rich cultural province that celebrates language,
cuisine, architecture and arts. There are more than 30 Aboriginal
cultural groups in the province. Chinese and Punjabi are the most
spoken languages after English.
More than half of all British Columbians live in Vancouver. The city
ranked number one for most liveable city in the world by the Economist
Intelligence Unit for two years in a row.
British Columbia's clean and natural environment promotes healthy and
active lifestyles. We have a universal healthcare system, the
healthiest population in Canada, and we consistently lead health
rankings for patient outcomes.
In both 2007 and 2008, the Economist Intelligence Unit ranked Vancouver
as the most liveable city in the world, based on healthcare, culture,
environment, education and infrastructure.
British Columbia has a Climate Action Plan, making us one of the most
environmentally responsible places in the world. The Carbon Tax will
help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 33 per cent by 2020
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Innovation And Research
Since 2001, British Columbia has invested more than $1.7 billion in and
attracted an additional $1 billion to research and innovation.
British Columbia has more than 50 research centres: software
engineering, micro-electronics, manufacturing systems, e-learning,
biotechnology, and environmental and alternative energy systems and
technologies.
These research centres are part of universities, technical institutions
and research organizations. British Columbia's University-Industry
liaison offices have helped launch more than 225 spin-off companies.
The British Columbia Innovation Council has more information on
innovation and commercialization in British Columbia
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Climate
There are four distinct seasons in British Columbia.:
Spring: March to May
Summer: June to August
Fall/Autumn: September to November
Winter: December to February
The climate and temperature are very different across the province.
Winter is cold in the north and interior of British Columbia, and mild
along the south coast. Spring arrives early, sometimes beginning in
February, along the south coast. Summer is beautiful wherever you are.
Temperatures are hotter in the interior and milder along the coast.
Environment Canada has detailed weather information for British
Columbia. You can also visit WelcomeBC to learn more about the climate
in specific regions of the province.
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Trade Agreement
British Columbia is a trade-friendly province. As part of the North
American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), British Columbia companies can
export and import duty-free within the NAFTA region, regardless of
their corporate nationality.
The British Columbia — Alberta Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility
Agreement (TILMA) agreement encourages the free flow of goods,
services, investment and workers between British Columbia and Alberta.
TILMA has created the second largest economic region in Canada.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada has a listing of Free
Trade Agreements and other initiatives that British Columbia is part
of.
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Business Regulatory
British Columbia is committed to clear and simple business regulations
to help business in the province remain competitive.
Since 2001, the government has reduced business rules and regulations
by almost half — and maintained a net-zero increase in regulations.
Businesses here can spend less time meeting government regulations and
more time growing and creating new jobs.
Straightforward BC explains how British Columbia is simplifying
regulations for business.
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Govt. Incentive
British Columbia administers capital funds and offers tax credits,
exemptions and deductions to encourage business investment and
innovation.
These include:
Incentives for research and development and the launch of the
Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) fund in 2008. The ICE fund has approved
investments of over $47 million in 34 projects across the province for
clean and renewable energy technologies.
The BC Renaissance Fund invests in venture capital partnerships managed
by experienced investment professionals. It focuses on four technology
sectors: information technology, new media, clean technology and life
sciences.
Three key investment capital programs help small business access
capital by offering tax credits to investors and encouraging small
businesses.
The International Financial Activity (IFA) program offers the following
refunds:
provincial corporate income tax paid by eligible companies on earnings
from international financial services performed within British Columbia
and
provincial personal income tax paid by specialists from outside Canada
working in British Columbia's international financial sector as an IFA
specialist.
More on BC's goverment incentives and our financial sector can be found
on the financial services page.
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Immigration To BC
Every year, we welcome more than 40,000 new immigrants move to British
Columbia. More than 70 per cent come from Asia. The government of
British Columbia's WelcomeBC has information to help new immigrants
move and settle here.
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Business Environment
The Economist Intelligence Unit forecasts that Canada will be one of
the best countries in the world to do business in through 2009. It is
open to foreign trade and capital, has high quality infrastructure and
easy access to North American markets.
British Columbia has one of the best business environments in Canada:
Strong economic growth, including a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is
more than $199 billion;
One of Canada's most competitive tax rates;
More than 20,000 new businesses incorporate each year;
Triple-A credit ratings from both Standard and Poor's and Moody's
Investors Service.
Our business costs are some of the lowest in the world, according to
the KPMG Competitive Alternatives Survey, 2008.
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Facts
British Columbia's government is elected every four years by citizens
of the province.
The government owns 90 per cent of the land in British Columbia. These
lands are home to more than two-thirds of Canada's bird species and
land mammals.
Eighty-three per cent of British Columbians speak English.
Visible minorities make up 22 per cent of British Columbia's
population. Aboriginal peoples make up almost 5 per cent.
BC Fact Sheet
Here, at a glance, are BC's vital statistics. For more background
details and travel information please see our Consumer Site.
Canada's westernmost province is known for its stunning natural
setting, vast tracts of untouched wilderness, and safe, vibrant cities.
It's a top choice for outdoor adventure, urban pleasures, and pure
escape.
The Land
•British Columbia is bordered by Alberta to the east, the states of
Washington, Idaho and Montana to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to
the west. The Alaska Panhandle and the Canadian territories of Yukon
and The Northwest Territories form the northern border.
•At 944,735 square kilometres (364,764 square miles), BC is about the
size of France, Germany and the Netherlands combined. It's larger than
the total area of Washington, Oregon and California.
•75 per cent of the province is mountainous (more than 1,000 metres or
3,280 feet above sea level), 60 per cent is forested, and only about
five per cent is arable.
•A series of southeast-northwest running mountain ranges, from the
Rockies in the east to the Coast Mountain and Vancouver Island ranges
in the west, serrate the landscape into a series of peaks, plateaus and
valleys.
•British Columbia's rugged coastline stretches for more than 27,000
kilometres (16,780 miles), including deep, mountainous fjords and about
6,000 islands, most of which are uninhabited.
•The largest island, at 460 kilometres (286 miles) long, is Vancouver
Island. Home to Victoria, the provincial capital, it lies off the
southwest corner of BC's mainland.
The People
•Most of BC's population of about four million clusters in the
province's southwest corner, in and around the cities of Vancouver and
Victoria. The Okanagan Valley is the most populated inland region.
•Though small in numbers, British Columbians are a cosmopolitan and
multi-cultural group. A large proportion of residents have moved here
from other parts of Canada and from around the world.
The Climate
•Coastal British Columbia, including Vancouver and Victoria, enjoys the
mildest climate in Canada. Summers are warm but not hot; winters are
mild and wet, with little snow at sea level. Central and Northern BC
have a more traditionally Canadian climate, with hot, dry summers and
cold, snowy winters.
•The climate can, however, vary enormously across the province: BC is
home to eight regional micro-climates, ranging from alpine to tundra,
desert to coastal rainforest.
The Time
•Most of British Columbia is on Pacific Time (the same as Los Angeles;
three hours behind Toronto and New York). A few communities along the
Alberta border (notably Fort St. John, Dawson Creek, Golden, Kimberley
and Cranbrook) use Mountain Time.
•British Columbia switches to Pacific Daylight Time (GMT -7) on the
first Sunday in April and reverts to Pacific Standard Time (GMT-8) on
the last Sunday in October.
Why to go to British Columbia?
There are as many reasons to visit BC as there are visitors, but here's
a taste:
•Wilderness: 11.35 million hectares (28,046,460 acres), 11.8 per cent
of the province, is protected in parks, conservancies, ecological
reserves, and recreation areas.
•Wildlife: BC is home to more fauna than any other part of Canada. In
all, 142 animal, 488 bird, 18 reptile, 22 amphibian, 83 freshwater
fish, and 368 saltwater fish species live in or travel through the
province.
•Sports & Adventure:
?BC has almost 200 golf courses, more than 30 full-service downhill ski
resorts (including Whistler, a venue city of the 2010 Olympic and
Paralympic Winter Games), and more than 3,500 kilometres (2,174 miles)
of hiking trails.
?BC's 37 river systems, more than 2,200 lakes, 27,000 kilometres
(16,780 miles) of coastline, and 18,000 square kilometres (6,949 square
miles) of inland waters welcome boaters, fishers, river rafters,
beachcombers and scuba divers.
?If someone has tried it, you can probably do it here. BC has
facilities for, among other things, bungy jumping, caving, gold
panning, hang gliding, hot air ballooning, mountaineering, river
rafting, rock climbing, surfing, whale watching and windsurfing.
•Food & Drink: In BC, some of North America's most fertile land and
water meet culinary influences from around the world. The results? From
caribou to chanterelles, cedar plank salmon to micro-brewed ale, the
local fare is rich and varied; the restaurants cosmopolitan and
affordable. BC is wine country, too: about 90 wineries concentrated in
two regions welcome visitors -- and win awards.
•Aboriginal Culture: First Nations are represented by more than 30
Nations and 197 communities in BC. Throughout the province, museums and
archaeological sites display ancient treasures; cultural sites and
galleries illuminate modern day art and culture.
Key Stats
Area: 944,735 square kilometres (364,764 square miles)
Population of BC (2009): 4,510,900
Largest City: Vancouver, on the mainland's southwest corner. Population
(2009): 628,621
Largest Metropolitan Area: Greater Vancouver, also known as the Lower
Mainland. Population (2009): 2,318,526
Cool Stats
Tallest Mountain: The highest mountain partially within BC is Mount
Fairweather (4,663 metres or 15,298 feet) on the BC/Alaska border. The
tallest mountain entirely within the province is Mount Waddington in
the Coast Mountains, at 4,016 metres or 13,175 feet.
Oldest tree: In Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park "The Heaven Tree" is
an 800-year-old Sitka Spruce; some of the cedars in the park are
estimated to be over 1,000 years old.
Biggest tree: The "National Geographic Tree" in Stanley Park is close
to 30 metres (98 feet) in circumference and is said to be the largest
of its kind in the world.
Fastest water: Skookumchuk Narrows, on BC's Sunshine Coast, is one of
the fastest flowing tidal currents in the world, with speeds that
sometimes exceed 16 knots.
Highest waterfall: Della Falls on Vancouver Island. At 440 metres
(1,443 feet), it is the highest waterfall in Canada.
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Why BC
Businesses looking to grow faster and become more competitive are
making
British Columbia their choice for success.
We have a skilled and inventive workforce, competitive business costs
and
a high quality of life. Our prime location on the Canada's West Coast
gives
your business access to markets across North America. And transactions
with
markets and suppliers in North America, Asia and Europe can be done in
a
single business day. Put our world-class transportation and
communications
networks to work for you.
Many of the world's top companies have already discovered the benefit
of doing
business here — firms like Microsoft, Nokia, Electronic Arts, Toyota,
Intel,
Epson, Honeywell, Alcatel, and JP Morgan Chase.
--------------------------------------------------
Food Habits
Salmon and Steelhead
While salmon and steelhead will consume food in fresh water under some
circumstances, they are mostly concerned with surviving the migration
and spawning.
To consistently catch salmon and steelhead you must become familiar
with the timing of the run and understand where the fish are most
likely to hold. Call a fishing guide service near the river you intend
to fish, they'll tell you when to expect the best fishing.
Plan your trip around that information. If your schedule is flexible,
wait until the run is actually underway and then go. Even the most
knowledgeable, local predictions can be frustrated by unusual weather
patterns. Drought will often delay a run, while heavy precipitation may
bring the fish in earlier than usual. Ocean currents, like El Nino, and
commercial fishing can also have an effect.
When you know the fish are in the river, look for water that would be
an attractive holdover spot or migration route for moving fish. Local
knowledge is priceless in this regard, as the same pools are usually
the best producers season after season. You may also want to just drive
along a section of the river, watch the access points, and study the
types of water other anglers are concentrating on.
Once you know what type of water your quarry prefers, you can fish any
stretch of the river and be successful. In moving water, fish usually
hold in certain locations and wait for the food to drift to them. Look
first for breaks in the current. Some of the best locations are fallen
trees, in-stream rocks, gravel banks, current seams behind islands,
deep depressions, weedy bends, above riffles, back eddies, steep banks,
riffles, and submerged boulders or obstructions.
Trout
Trout are coldwater fish, so you will find them in rivers and lakes
that have cold water year-round. In rivers, trout face upstream so the
water flows into their faces, bringing drifting food to them.
Like bass and panfish, they spend all their time eating, resting, and
hiding from predators. When they are resting, river trout hide under
currents, near the bottom of deep pools, under shoreline structures
such as logs, brushy banks, undercut banks and boulders.
When they are feeding, stream trout move to where the food comes to
them, eddies (anywhere there is a break in the flow, creating a fast
current beside slow-moving water), along weedbeds, behind boulders, at
the tailouts of pools, and in early morning or late evening, in the
stream shallows.
You can locate feeding trout (also bass and panfish) by the dimples
they make when they take insects off the water's surface. You can
locate nymphing trout (fish eating nymphs beneath the surface) by
looking down into the water (using polarized sun glasses) and spotting
their sides flashing as they feed.
Lake trout cruise in search of their food. Look for them along
weedbeds, a prime location for the insect life that trout feed on. Also
look for their rise rings (dimples they make when feeding on the
surface) on the lake. Trout often cruise the surface to "gulp" aquatic
insects that are hatching.
Certain areas of a lake are more likely to hold fish than other areas.
Some more rewarding places are where freshwater enters the lake, fallen
trees, sand or gravel bars, rock piles, steep banks, overhanging brush
or trees, weedy coves, submerged weedbeds and underwater points.
Trout will often cruise from one location to another.
Bass
Bass capture their food by ambush, and because they prey on panfish,
they often lie in or near the same places that panfish are found. These
larger predators dash out from their hiding places to snatch moving
minnows, panfish, frogs and crayfish.
In lakes and ponds, expect to find them prowling or lurking around
lilypads, weedbeds, boat docks, logs, overhanging trees or any man-made
structure that they can hide underneath. Look for bass around
headlands, jetties, reefs or along the shoreline.
-------------------------------
The government of British Columbia, Canada invites you to explore the
many opportunities for business, education, working and living, and
visiting the province.
At the gateway to the Pacific, and set amidst the world's most
spectacular natural environment, British Columbia's multiculturalism
and innovative spirit are embodied in our diverse communities and
vibrant economy
----------------------------
Culture And History of BC
The culture of British Columbia is extremely varied, ranging from
Aboriginal to European roots. British Columbia holds the largest Asian
population in Canada, and you will find many cultures to celebrate.
British Columbians represent cultures from more than 180 countries
around the world. It is home to over 200 first Nations, as well as
Inuit, Metis and other Aboriginals.
Multiculturalism is a way of life in British Columbia, and we celebrate
holidays and traditions from around the world, including Chinese New
Year, Diwali, Vaisakhi, Hanukah, Robbie Burns Day and St. Patrick's Day
— to name just a few.
Find out more about the cultural diversity of regions of British
Columbia by visiting the WelcomeBC.
The modern history of British Columbia begins with the First Nations
people who have lived and flourished on the lush natural resources of
these lands for over ten thousand years, since some time after the end
of the last Ice Age.
There are three prominent First Nations groups of the Pacific Northwest
who have divided the land between themselves for thousands of years:
the Nootka, the Coast Salish, and the Kwak'wala Speaking Peoples. The
rich land and marine resources enabled them to develop complex
societies and the intricate aboriginal art forms that are now
internationally acclaimed. To the east, in the region now known as the
British Columbia Rockies, the Kootenay were the original keepers of the
land, having fought fiercely for possession of the precious hot springs
found in these mountains. The Carrier nation roamed the interior
valleys, the Tsimshians ranged the northern coast, and the Tlingits
occupied southern Alaska and northern British Columbia. The Sekani and
Beaver occupied the eastern region of the north while the Haida lived
on the Queen Charlotte Islands.
As recently as 220 years ago the northwest coast of North America was
one of the least explored areas in the world. The geography of the land
presented many formidable natural barriers to European explorers. To
the east the soaring Rocky Mountains blocked the way, and the huge
Pacific Ocean separated distant land masses off the west coast. The
desire to explore and discover new land and natural resources prevailed
in the second half of the 18th century, with expeditions mounted by the
Russians, American, Spanish and British explorers and traders.
The peaceful existence of the aboriginal people was to change soon
after the first contact by Europeans in 1778, when Captain James Cook
set foot on Nootka Island on the northwest coast of Vancouver Island.
The Spanish later arrived and set up a base at Nootka under the command
of Don Juan Fransisco de la Bodega y Quadra, who had claimed the coast
of Alaska for Spain. In 1792, Captain George Vancouver, with his ships
Discovery and Chatham, arrived at Nootka Sound to take regain control
under the terms of the Nootka Convention.
Both explorers made the trip to Tahsis to resolve years of
Spanish/English rivalry that had played out on this Island, and
commenced working together at the task of mapping and exploring the
coast. A Treaty in 1793 gave the two countries joint ownership of
Nootka, but it was not long after the signing that Spain's dominance in
North America began to wane. The last Spanish ship was ordered out of
the area in 1795, marking the end of the Spanish influence In British
Columbia.
Southwestern British Columbia's history centres around the discovery of
the mighty Fraser River. Ironically, the early European explorers
roaming the coast missed the mouth of the Fraser River due to the dense
fog. The Fraser was discovered in 1791 by Spaniard Jose Maria Narvaez,
a pilot in the Spanish Navy.
Adventurous explorers and fur traders of the Northwest Company were
heading west across the Rockies. Michael Phillips was the first white
man to blaze a trail across the Canadian Rockies from west to east
through an unexplored pass, although routes were long known by the
First Nations people.
The Peace River, the only British Columbia River that drains into the
Arctic Ocean, was navigated by explorer Alexander Mackenzie in 1793.
Mackenzie was the first European to navigate the Peace River, which was
named for a treaty between the Cree and Beaver First nations in 1790.
In the Dean Channel near Bella Coola on the west coast, you can still
see the rock where he inscribed Alexander Mackenzie from Canada by land
22nd July 1793.
In 1794 the first white settlement in British Columbia was established
at what is now Fort St, John. In 1805, the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC)
opened their first trading post in the region at Hudson's Hope in the
north. In 1808, when Simon Fraser visited the communities along the
mouth of the Fraser River, he thought he had found the Columbia River.
After Simon Fraser came the equally famous explorer David Thompson, who
followed the Columbia River through British Columbia, into Washington
and on to its mouth at Astoria, Oregon. The names of these two
explorers are indelibly printed in the history of British Columbia,
adorning hotels, rivers and street signs. The two major fur trading
companies, the Hudson's Bay Company and the North West Company
amalgamated under the HBC in 1821.
The Hudson's Bay Company built Fort Victoria in 1843, and the colony of
Vancouver Island was established in 1849 when the entire island was
leased to the HBC. In 1858, over 20,000 determined prospectors (many
from California, where the gold rush of 1849 had petered out) came from
the HBC stockade of Fort Victoria and up the Fraser River in search of
recently discovered gold on the Fraser River. Soon, instant towns
sprang up and grew to become flourishing boomtowns. The legacy of these
prospectors can be found in the many Ghost Towns that dot the Interior
today.
In response to the frenzied discovery and mining of gold, the British
Government quickly created the mainland colony of British Columbia in
1858. Governor James Douglas, chief factor of the Hudson's Bay Company
and governor of Vancouver Island, became the new governor of British
Columbia. In 1866 the colony of Vancouver Island was combined with the
colony of British Columbia, with Victoria becoming the provincial
capital of British Columbia on April 2 1868. In 1871, with the promise
of completing the Canadian Pacific Railway by 1885, British Columbia
was lead into confederation, rather than join the United States to the
south, with Victoria as the seat of Government.
Gold discoveries continued, with gold being found in the Peace River in
1861. The Cariboo Wagon Road was constructed from the town of Yale to
the boomtown of Barkerville, which in in its heyday was the largest
city west of Chicago and north of San Fransisco. Completed in 1865, the
Cariboo Wagon Road opened up the British Columbia Interior, with mule
trains and stagecoaches plying the route, and roadhouses and boomtowns
dotting the roadside. Gold was discovered further north, placing Dawson
Creek on the brink of the huge Klondike Gold Rush of 1898.
The mining industry, the railway, and the geology of the land have all
contributed to the history and development of British Columbia. The
rise and fall of many settlements can be attributed to the route of the
railway, while natural features, such as the abundance of hot springs
in the BC Rockies, have been responsible for the eventual growth of
resort towns.
The fur and salmon trade brought great prosperity to the First Nations
people, whose society was organized around wealth, possessions and
potlatches. The HBC generally treated the natives fairly, and their
communities thrived. However, the commerce caused the indigenous people
to abandon their traditional homesites in favour of settlements closer
to the forts for improved trading and protection. The settlers
introduced muskets, alcohol and smallpox, all of which had a
devastating effect on the native people. Christian missionaries arrived
and set about banning the natives' traditional potlatches and
suppressing their languages and culture. Colonization and land
ownership conflicts soon followed, continuing to this day.
The culture of British Columbia is extremely varied, ranging from
Aboriginal to European roots. British Columbia holds the largest Asian
population in Canada, and you will find many cultures to celebrate
here.
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Regions of BC
British Columbia is a very large province and communities are very
different from each other. If you plan to move to British Columbia,
WelcomeBC has information that can help you decide where to live.
There are eight geographic regions in British Columbia.
1.Vancouver Island and Coast/Victoria
Vancouver Island is the largest island on the west coast of North
America. Greater Victoria is a city with 330,000 people; there are
small towns along the east coast, and wild and rugged beauty on the
west coast. Find out more about Vancouver Island and Coast/Victoria
Vancouver and Metropolitan Area
With 2.6 million people,Vancouver is British Columbia's largest city.
More than half of all British Columbians live here. It is also the host
city for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
2.Thompson/Okanagan
The Thompson Okanagan covers 95,000 square kilometres and has about 12
per cent of B.C.'s population - almost 515,000 people. It has four
distinct seasons, and is popular for summer and winter activities. In
June, July and August, it is one of the warmest and sunniest places in
Canada. Kelowna has about 113,000 people, and Kamloops has 85,000
people.
3.Kootenay
The region's spectacular mountain ranges — the Rockies, Selkirk,
Purcell, and Monashee — are a draw for year-round tourist activity.
There are many parks and recreation areas for camping, hiking,
sightseeing. Cranbrook, with 20,000 people, is the largest city in the
Kootenays.
4.Cariboo
The Cariboo is in the very centre of British Columbia. It is located on
a high plateau, surrounded by mountains. It is the third largest region
in the province, but has only four per cent of the population.
5.North Coast
The North Coast is a vast area of mountains, rainforest and river
valleys. Prince Rupert is the largest city in the region with a
population of 15,000.
6.Nechako
Nechako is the largest region in British Columbia, but it has the least
people. This part of British Columbia has thousands of lakes and is
home to caribou, moose, grizzly and black bears. The largest community
in the region is Smithers, with a population of just under 6,000.
7.Northeast
The Northeast covers about a quarter of the province and is rich in
resources, including oil and natural gas. Only two per cent of British
Columbians live here (67,000 people), and the region is known for its
wilderness and wildlife.
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LIVING
Living in BC
British Columbia is safe, welcoming and culturally diverse. Our big
cities to small villages attract people from around the world. We enjoy
great recreation, spectacular scenery and a healthy and active
lifestyle.
British Columbia is a rich cultural province that celebrates language,
cuisine, architecture and arts. There are more than 30 Aboriginal
cultural groups in the province. Chinese and Punjabi are the most
spoken languages after English.
More than half of all British Columbians live in Vancouver. The city
ranked number one for most liveable city in the world by the Economist
Intelligence Unit for two years in a row.
British Columbia's clean and natural environment promotes healthy and
active lifestyles. We have a universal healthcare system, the
healthiest population in Canada, and we consistently lead health
rankings for patient outcomes.
In both 2007 and 2008, the Economist Intelligence Unit ranked Vancouver
as the most liveable city in the world, based on healthcare, culture,
environment, education and infrastructure.
British Columbia has a Climate Action Plan, making us one of the most
environmentally responsible places in the world. The Carbon Tax will
help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 33 per cent by 2020
-----------------------------------------------------------
Innovation And Research
Since 2001, British Columbia has invested more than $1.7 billion in and
attracted an additional $1 billion to research and innovation.
British Columbia has more than 50 research centres: software
engineering, micro-electronics, manufacturing systems, e-learning,
biotechnology, and environmental and alternative energy systems and
technologies.
These research centres are part of universities, technical institutions
and research organizations. British Columbia's University-Industry
liaison offices have helped launch more than 225 spin-off companies.
The British Columbia Innovation Council has more information on
innovation and commercialization in British Columbia
----------------------------------------------------------
Climate
There are four distinct seasons in British Columbia.:
Spring: March to May
Summer: June to August
Fall/Autumn: September to November
Winter: December to February
The climate and temperature are very different across the province.
Winter is cold in the north and interior of British Columbia, and mild
along the south coast. Spring arrives early, sometimes beginning in
February, along the south coast. Summer is beautiful wherever you are.
Temperatures are hotter in the interior and milder along the coast.
Environment Canada has detailed weather information for British
Columbia. You can also visit WelcomeBC to learn more about the climate
in specific regions of the province.
------------------------------------------------------------
Trade Agreement
British Columbia is a trade-friendly province. As part of the North
American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), British Columbia companies can
export and import duty-free within the NAFTA region, regardless of
their corporate nationality.
The British Columbia — Alberta Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility
Agreement (TILMA) agreement encourages the free flow of goods,
services, investment and workers between British Columbia and Alberta.
TILMA has created the second largest economic region in Canada.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada has a listing of Free
Trade Agreements and other initiatives that British Columbia is part
of.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Business Regulatory
British Columbia is committed to clear and simple business regulations
to help business in the province remain competitive.
Since 2001, the government has reduced business rules and regulations
by almost half — and maintained a net-zero increase in regulations.
Businesses here can spend less time meeting government regulations and
more time growing and creating new jobs.
Straightforward BC explains how British Columbia is simplifying
regulations for business.
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Govt. Incentive
British Columbia administers capital funds and offers tax credits,
exemptions and deductions to encourage business investment and
innovation.
These include:
Incentives for research and development and the launch of the
Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) fund in 2008. The ICE fund has approved
investments of over $47 million in 34 projects across the province for
clean and renewable energy technologies.
The BC Renaissance Fund invests in venture capital partnerships managed
by experienced investment professionals. It focuses on four technology
sectors: information technology, new media, clean technology and life
sciences.
Three key investment capital programs help small business access
capital by offering tax credits to investors and encouraging small
businesses.
The International Financial Activity (IFA) program offers the following
refunds:
provincial corporate income tax paid by eligible companies on earnings
from international financial services performed within British Columbia
and
provincial personal income tax paid by specialists from outside Canada
working in British Columbia's international financial sector as an IFA
specialist.
More on BC's goverment incentives and our financial sector can be found
on the financial services page.
-----------------------------------------------------
Immigration To BC
Every year, we welcome more than 40,000 new immigrants move to British
Columbia. More than 70 per cent come from Asia. The government of
British Columbia's WelcomeBC has information to help new immigrants
move and settle here.
----------------------------------------
Business Environment
The Economist Intelligence Unit forecasts that Canada will be one of
the best countries in the world to do business in through 2009. It is
open to foreign trade and capital, has high quality infrastructure and
easy access to North American markets.
British Columbia has one of the best business environments in Canada:
Strong economic growth, including a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is
more than $199 billion;
One of Canada's most competitive tax rates;
More than 20,000 new businesses incorporate each year;
Triple-A credit ratings from both Standard and Poor's and Moody's
Investors Service.
Our business costs are some of the lowest in the world, according to
the KPMG Competitive Alternatives Survey, 2008.
-----------------------------------------
Facts
British Columbia's government is elected every four years by citizens
of the province.
The government owns 90 per cent of the land in British Columbia. These
lands are home to more than two-thirds of Canada's bird species and
land mammals.
Eighty-three per cent of British Columbians speak English.
Visible minorities make up 22 per cent of British Columbia's
population. Aboriginal peoples make up almost 5 per cent.
BC Fact Sheet
Here, at a glance, are BC's vital statistics. For more background
details and travel information please see our Consumer Site.
Canada's westernmost province is known for its stunning natural
setting, vast tracts of untouched wilderness, and safe, vibrant cities.
It's a top choice for outdoor adventure, urban pleasures, and pure
escape.
The Land
•British Columbia is bordered by Alberta to the east, the states of
Washington, Idaho and Montana to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to
the west. The Alaska Panhandle and the Canadian territories of Yukon
and The Northwest Territories form the northern border.
•At 944,735 square kilometres (364,764 square miles), BC is about the
size of France, Germany and the Netherlands combined. It's larger than
the total area of Washington, Oregon and California.
•75 per cent of the province is mountainous (more than 1,000 metres or
3,280 feet above sea level), 60 per cent is forested, and only about
five per cent is arable.
•A series of southeast-northwest running mountain ranges, from the
Rockies in the east to the Coast Mountain and Vancouver Island ranges
in the west, serrate the landscape into a series of peaks, plateaus and
valleys.
•British Columbia's rugged coastline stretches for more than 27,000
kilometres (16,780 miles), including deep, mountainous fjords and about
6,000 islands, most of which are uninhabited.
•The largest island, at 460 kilometres (286 miles) long, is Vancouver
Island. Home to Victoria, the provincial capital, it lies off the
southwest corner of BC's mainland.
The People
•Most of BC's population of about four million clusters in the
province's southwest corner, in and around the cities of Vancouver and
Victoria. The Okanagan Valley is the most populated inland region.
•Though small in numbers, British Columbians are a cosmopolitan and
multi-cultural group. A large proportion of residents have moved here
from other parts of Canada and from around the world.
The Climate
•Coastal British Columbia, including Vancouver and Victoria, enjoys the
mildest climate in Canada. Summers are warm but not hot; winters are
mild and wet, with little snow at sea level. Central and Northern BC
have a more traditionally Canadian climate, with hot, dry summers and
cold, snowy winters.
•The climate can, however, vary enormously across the province: BC is
home to eight regional micro-climates, ranging from alpine to tundra,
desert to coastal rainforest.
The Time
•Most of British Columbia is on Pacific Time (the same as Los Angeles;
three hours behind Toronto and New York). A few communities along the
Alberta border (notably Fort St. John, Dawson Creek, Golden, Kimberley
and Cranbrook) use Mountain Time.
•British Columbia switches to Pacific Daylight Time (GMT -7) on the
first Sunday in April and reverts to Pacific Standard Time (GMT-8) on
the last Sunday in October.
Why to go to British Columbia?
There are as many reasons to visit BC as there are visitors, but here's
a taste:
•Wilderness: 11.35 million hectares (28,046,460 acres), 11.8 per cent
of the province, is protected in parks, conservancies, ecological
reserves, and recreation areas.
•Wildlife: BC is home to more fauna than any other part of Canada. In
all, 142 animal, 488 bird, 18 reptile, 22 amphibian, 83 freshwater
fish, and 368 saltwater fish species live in or travel through the
province.
•Sports & Adventure:
?BC has almost 200 golf courses, more than 30 full-service downhill ski
resorts (including Whistler, a venue city of the 2010 Olympic and
Paralympic Winter Games), and more than 3,500 kilometres (2,174 miles)
of hiking trails.
?BC's 37 river systems, more than 2,200 lakes, 27,000 kilometres
(16,780 miles) of coastline, and 18,000 square kilometres (6,949 square
miles) of inland waters welcome boaters, fishers, river rafters,
beachcombers and scuba divers.
?If someone has tried it, you can probably do it here. BC has
facilities for, among other things, bungy jumping, caving, gold
panning, hang gliding, hot air ballooning, mountaineering, river
rafting, rock climbing, surfing, whale watching and windsurfing.
•Food & Drink: In BC, some of North America's most fertile land and
water meet culinary influences from around the world. The results? From
caribou to chanterelles, cedar plank salmon to micro-brewed ale, the
local fare is rich and varied; the restaurants cosmopolitan and
affordable. BC is wine country, too: about 90 wineries concentrated in
two regions welcome visitors -- and win awards.
•Aboriginal Culture: First Nations are represented by more than 30
Nations and 197 communities in BC. Throughout the province, museums and
archaeological sites display ancient treasures; cultural sites and
galleries illuminate modern day art and culture.
Key Stats
Area: 944,735 square kilometres (364,764 square miles)
Population of BC (2009): 4,510,900
Largest City: Vancouver, on the mainland's southwest corner. Population
(2009): 628,621
Largest Metropolitan Area: Greater Vancouver, also known as the Lower
Mainland. Population (2009): 2,318,526
Cool Stats
Tallest Mountain: The highest mountain partially within BC is Mount
Fairweather (4,663 metres or 15,298 feet) on the BC/Alaska border. The
tallest mountain entirely within the province is Mount Waddington in
the Coast Mountains, at 4,016 metres or 13,175 feet.
Oldest tree: In Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park "The Heaven Tree" is
an 800-year-old Sitka Spruce; some of the cedars in the park are
estimated to be over 1,000 years old.
Biggest tree: The "National Geographic Tree" in Stanley Park is close
to 30 metres (98 feet) in circumference and is said to be the largest
of its kind in the world.
Fastest water: Skookumchuk Narrows, on BC's Sunshine Coast, is one of
the fastest flowing tidal currents in the world, with speeds that
sometimes exceed 16 knots.
Highest waterfall: Della Falls on Vancouver Island. At 440 metres
(1,443 feet), it is the highest waterfall in Canada.
---------------------------------------------------------
Why BC
Businesses looking to grow faster and become more competitive are
making
British Columbia their choice for success.
We have a skilled and inventive workforce, competitive business costs
and
a high quality of life. Our prime location on the Canada's West Coast
gives
your business access to markets across North America. And transactions
with
markets and suppliers in North America, Asia and Europe can be done in
a
single business day. Put our world-class transportation and
communications
networks to work for you.
Many of the world's top companies have already discovered the benefit
of doing
business here — firms like Microsoft, Nokia, Electronic Arts, Toyota,
Intel,
Epson, Honeywell, Alcatel, and JP Morgan Chase.
--------------------------------------------------
Food Habits
Salmon and Steelhead
While salmon and steelhead will consume food in fresh water under some
circumstances, they are mostly concerned with surviving the migration
and spawning.
To consistently catch salmon and steelhead you must become familiar
with the timing of the run and understand where the fish are most
likely to hold. Call a fishing guide service near the river you intend
to fish, they'll tell you when to expect the best fishing.
Plan your trip around that information. If your schedule is flexible,
wait until the run is actually underway and then go. Even the most
knowledgeable, local predictions can be frustrated by unusual weather
patterns. Drought will often delay a run, while heavy precipitation may
bring the fish in earlier than usual. Ocean currents, like El Nino, and
commercial fishing can also have an effect.
When you know the fish are in the river, look for water that would be
an attractive holdover spot or migration route for moving fish. Local
knowledge is priceless in this regard, as the same pools are usually
the best producers season after season. You may also want to just drive
along a section of the river, watch the access points, and study the
types of water other anglers are concentrating on.
Once you know what type of water your quarry prefers, you can fish any
stretch of the river and be successful. In moving water, fish usually
hold in certain locations and wait for the food to drift to them. Look
first for breaks in the current. Some of the best locations are fallen
trees, in-stream rocks, gravel banks, current seams behind islands,
deep depressions, weedy bends, above riffles, back eddies, steep banks,
riffles, and submerged boulders or obstructions.
Trout
Trout are coldwater fish, so you will find them in rivers and lakes
that have cold water year-round. In rivers, trout face upstream so the
water flows into their faces, bringing drifting food to them.
Like bass and panfish, they spend all their time eating, resting, and
hiding from predators. When they are resting, river trout hide under
currents, near the bottom of deep pools, under shoreline structures
such as logs, brushy banks, undercut banks and boulders.
When they are feeding, stream trout move to where the food comes to
them, eddies (anywhere there is a break in the flow, creating a fast
current beside slow-moving water), along weedbeds, behind boulders, at
the tailouts of pools, and in early morning or late evening, in the
stream shallows.
You can locate feeding trout (also bass and panfish) by the dimples
they make when they take insects off the water's surface. You can
locate nymphing trout (fish eating nymphs beneath the surface) by
looking down into the water (using polarized sun glasses) and spotting
their sides flashing as they feed.
Lake trout cruise in search of their food. Look for them along
weedbeds, a prime location for the insect life that trout feed on. Also
look for their rise rings (dimples they make when feeding on the
surface) on the lake. Trout often cruise the surface to "gulp" aquatic
insects that are hatching.
Certain areas of a lake are more likely to hold fish than other areas.
Some more rewarding places are where freshwater enters the lake, fallen
trees, sand or gravel bars, rock piles, steep banks, overhanging brush
or trees, weedy coves, submerged weedbeds and underwater points.
Trout will often cruise from one location to another.
Bass
Bass capture their food by ambush, and because they prey on panfish,
they often lie in or near the same places that panfish are found. These
larger predators dash out from their hiding places to snatch moving
minnows, panfish, frogs and crayfish.
In lakes and ponds, expect to find them prowling or lurking around
lilypads, weedbeds, boat docks, logs, overhanging trees or any man-made
structure that they can hide underneath. Look for bass around
headlands, jetties, reefs or along the shoreline.
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