In 1971 the province designated both Gastown and Chinatown as historic districts.Older sections of the city have undergone considerable change since 1960, when downtown high-rise office buildings and hotels were built.





Between Vancouver and the Pacific Ocean to the west is a large island called Vancouver Island. Learn all about the history of Vancouver, see how it started out and find out more about historic locations, fun facts and other stories relating to the area. Place Stadium in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The city soon prospered again, however, and displaced

A short history of Vancouver Vancouver was named after the British explorer, Captain George Vancouver, who sailed into the area in 1792.

Vancouver is also a major port for cruise ships headed to

and occupies a beautiful site facing the mountains and the sea.

False Creek, a decaying downtown industrial area, was transformed into a residential development.





Annual rainfall averages about 45.5 inches (115.5 centimeters), and there is an average of 19.0 inches (48.2 centimeters) of snow each year.

Production of metals, chemicals, boats, trucks, and machinery for sawmilling, mining, and pulp and paper processing are major manufacturing activities. Gastown, the original heart of the city, was restored to resemble the way it looked in the 1880s. Vancouver itself originated as a small sawmilling settlement, called Granville in the 1870s. The city has more than 20 communities within its borders. Please note: Text within images is not translated, some features may not work properly after translation, and the translation may not accurately convey the intended meaning. One popular attraction near the visitor center is the collection of Historically, Vancouver has been British in character, with some Chinese influence. The history of Vancouver is one that extends back thousands of years, with its first inhabitants arriving in the area following the Last Glacial Period.

Stanley Park occupies about 1,000 acres (400 hectares) of the downtown area near the harbor entrance.

The chief manufacturing industries refine oil, process fish, forest products, and agricultural products, and produce metals, chemicals, boats, trucks, and machinery for sawmilling.Referred to as Canada’s Gateway to the Pacific, Vancouver is an important trade and transportation hub.




Other leading areas of employment within the service sector include health care and social assistance; professional, scientific, and technical work; financial services; tourism; and educational services. Other professional sports teams based in the city include the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League, the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League, and the Vancouver Canadians of minor league baseball.



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It was incorporated as a city in April 1886 (just before it became the western terminus of the first trans-Canada railway, the Canadian Pacific) and was renamed to honour the English navigator The city has long been a popular destination for immigrants both from other parts of Canada and from overseas.



Greater Vancouver is also home to sizeable numbers of South Asian (primarily Indian), Filipino, Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese, Iranian, and First Nations (American Indian) residents. We’ve been busy, working hard to bring you new features and an updated design.

Vancouver is on a peninsula on the West Coast of Canada, less than a one hour drive north of the Canada-U.S. border.



The Port of Vancouver is a large, ice-free, deepwater harbor. Vancouver is located in the southwest corner of the Canadian mainland In April 1886 it was incorporated as a city and renamed to honor Captain George Vancouver, an English naval officer who had navigated the coast in 1792.

Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox.Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. With more than 200 parks, Vancouver is noted for its recreational facilities.

By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica.Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Its rich mix of nationalities has made the city one of North America’s most The Indian (First Nations) inhabitants of the metropolitan Vancouver area are increasing their economic impact within the region.



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