Vancouver Introduction

Vancouver, officially the City of Vancouver, is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. Vancouver is one of the most ethnically and linguistically diverse cities in Canada. Federal government departments provide service in English and French, but most of the population speaks English as either a first or second language. More than half of Vancouver's school-age children have been raised speaking a language other than English.

While forestry remains its largest industry, Vancouver is well known as an urban centre surrounded by nature, making tourism its second-largest industry. Major film production studios in Vancouver and Burnaby have turned Greater Vancouver and nearby areas into one of the largest film production centres in North America, earning it the film industry nickname, Hollywood North.

Vancouver has hosted many international conferences and events, including the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games, Expo 86, and the 2010 Winter Olympics and 2010 Winter Paralympics which were held in Vancouver and Whistler, a resort community north of the city. In 2014, following thirty years in California, the annual TED conference made Vancouver its indefinite home. Several matches of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup were played in Vancouver, including the final at BC Place Stadium.

Warmed by Pacific Ocean currents and protected by a range of mountains, Vancouver's weather is mild year-round. From high 70's Fahrenheit (low 20's Celsius) in summer to a mild mid 40's Fahrenheit (0º to 5º Celsius) in winter, the climate is always hospitable. The winters are wet, but it rarely snows, except on our local ski hills.