Vancouver - Community Overview

In 1792, Captain George Vancouver sailed into Burrard Inlet, but it was another 70 years before a settlement was started. Within nine years, the settlement had grown large enough to support a school, and by 1886, the population having grown to 2,000 people, Vancouver was incorporated as a city.

The city was destroyed by fire in 1886 and was rebuilt within six months. That same year, the Vancouver Weekly Herald was first published. The first train from the east arrived at Port Moody, fulfilling one of the conditions under which British Columbia entered Confederation.

The years of expansion and modernization were from 1887 to 1890: the first passenger train arrived from Montreal, the first Trans-Pacific steamer entered the Port of Vancouver, electric lighting, water mains and streetcars went into service, Stanley Park was opened, and the New Westminster business district burned and was rebuilt.

Today, Vancouver is British Columbia's major distribution, service and commercial centre. The Port of Vancouver is Canada’s’ largest, most diversified port and is the gateway to Asia-Pacific trade. The port employs over 62,000 people.

As one of Canada’s largest cities, Vancouver is the nation’s second largest seaport. The harbour is open to shipping all year round and offers the most extensive port facilities on the Pacific coast of North America.

Vancouver, along with 18 other municipalities creates Greater Vancouver Regional District, which plans for and provides essential regional services and facilities. Within this complex of cities and municipalities is an excellent choice of residential, commercial, and industrial land, ranging from sites near the city centre to open pasture lands.

The City of Vancouver is situated in the southwest corner of British Columbia, bordered by the Coast Mountain Range and the Pacific Ocean. Vancouver is located on Highway #99 and the Trans Canada Highway #1. Twenty-three communities make up the City of Vancouver.

The population of the Greater Vancouver Regional District numbers approximately 2,464,000.

The population of the City of Vancouver number approximately 675,218.

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