Vancouver, despite its high cost of living and snowy Winters, may rightfully be claimed to be one of Canada’s most beautiful cities, if not the world. After all, when you’re sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean and the North Shore Mountains on two sides while surrounded by rain forest and picturesque islands, how could you go wrong?
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Visiting Vancouver
Because of the numerous immigrants who have moved to Vancouver and brought their traditions with them, the city celebrates the Chinese New Year. After they arrived in Canada, different countries’ customs regarding food, language superstitions, holidays and sports were all introduced into Canadian culture. This has made Vancouver a very culturally diverse city.
Vancouver is an excellent place to learn English for many reasons! For example, it on the West Coast of Canada near natural landmarks. Additionally, Vancouver has over one million citizens who speak English as their first language. Not to mention, learning in Vancouver will give you insight into Canadian culture and customs – making it the perfect location to develop your English skills while experiencing everyday life in Canada!
About Vancouver
Important Details in Canada
Capital city: Ottawa
Form of Government: Parliamentary Monarchy
Citizen Count: 36.503.097
Emergency calls: 911
Canada country code for calls: +1
Circuitry voltage: 120 Volts
Province of Vancouver: British Columbia
Population of Vancouver: ~630.000
No wonder green and blue are the colors of our forests and seaside playgrounds. With more than 120 hectares to explore, Stanley Park is Vancouver’s largest park.
Although the city center appears large, there are various naturalistic getaways nearby. For example, the seawall encircling Stanley Park is the longest uninterrupted walkway in the world– boasting a 22 km perimeter!
If you’re looking to explore some marine life during your stay, be sure to add the Vancouver Aquarium to your list of places to go. You’ll find all sorts of creatures there like dolphins, beluga whales, sea lions and seals. If you’re more interested in checking out cultural exhibits, then swing by the Museum of Anthropology – it’s one of the largest museums dedicated to Native art in North America.
10 Cool Facts About Vancouver
- Vancouver was named the fifth Most “livable city in the world” and tenth Cleanest City due to its high standard of living and quality of life.
- The Port of Vancouver is home to the world’s fourth-largest cruise ship terminal.
- Canada’s longest pool, which is almost the size of three Olympic pools, is a big attraction for tourists. This outdoor, saltwater pool is open all year-round.
- In Canada, Vancouver has the most expensive real estate. The average price of a detached house in 2011 was $1,204,587. Some claim that this is comparable to the prices in New York City and London.
- Vancouver is North America’s largest film production center, following Los Angeles and New York City in terms of size.
- Stanley Park is an impressive 1001 acres, which makes it 10% larger than New York City’s Central Park.
- In 1909, New York City gifted Vancouver with eight pairs of grey squirrels. All the grey squirrels in Stanley Park today are descended from them.
- The Vancouver Aquarium is one of the best in the world and ranks top 5.
- Since Vancouver’s downtown is predominantly residential, you’ll see many high-rise condominiums..
- Out of all the cities in Canada, Vancouver has the mildest climate. Even though it rains quite a bit there – on average 1,589 millimeters of precipitation per year.
- The oldest and most successful environmental organization in the world, Greenpeace, was founded in Vancouver.
- The Port of Vancouver is Canadas and North Americas largest port in terms of total tonnage handled.
- Botox was created in Vancouver.
- Elite British citizens living in West Vancouver required a passport for entry and excluded all non-white and Jewish people– but thankfully, those days are now gone.
- The world’s largest tin soldier is in New Westminster, British Columbia, in the Vancouver metropolitan area. It stands at 9.75 meters tall and weighs 4540 pounds.
- Immigrants make up 40% of Vancouver’s population. Asia has the highest concentration of Asians per capita in North America, as well as the greatest number of Asian immigrants. One of the world’s biggest Chinatowns can be found in Vancouver. It also has one of the most diversified populations in Canada, with people from more than 140 countries calling it home.
- Grouse Mountain is home to the only viewing platform for a working wind turbine in the world, known as “The Eye of The Wind.”
- The California roll was created in Vancouver by Chef Hidekazu Tojo, despite the fact that the name may suggest otherwise. In Vancouver’s Fairview area, you can visit Tojo, Hidekazu’s restaurant.
- Out of all the big cities in North America, Vancouver is odd because you can’t drive into downtown.
- The Marine Building, formerly the Empire’s tallest structure, was located on 355 Burrard Street in Vancouver.
- The first retractable roof in Canada was built at BC Place. The 7500-square-meter retractable roof is the world’s largest.
- In fact, some of Canada’s wealthiest communities can be found in Vancouver. The average yearly household income is $120,000 in West Vancouver, compared to $63,000 in Metro Vancouver. Along the waterfront, many movie stars and corporate executives live in gorgeous homes.
- In 1792, Captain George Vancouver explored Burrard Inlet’s inner harbour and named various places after their British counterparts. As a result, the city of Vancouver shares his namesake.
- Vancouver additionally held the Winter Olympics in 2010 and Expo’86 World Fair.
