The Southwestern coast of Canada borders the Pacific and thanks to the North Pacific Current the climate here is moderately pleasant,
with dry summers and a rather rainy rest of the year.
Early humans arrived here at least 16.000 years ago, probably
via coastal migration. There is not much proof for that because sea levels were much lower then and the coastline was far
more to the west. Others followed on foot from Beringia, once the Laurentide Ice Sheet receded.
When the first Europeans arrived
here in the 18th century, several indigenous peoples lived in the area, speaking dozens of different languages.
Vancouver and Victoria are home to 50% of the total population of British Columbia,
with an increasing percentage of them having asian roots.
Outside these two cities there is ample place for nature to flourish,
which again stimulates outdoor recreation and tourism, both in summer and wintertime.
Whale watching tours from Victoria are
very popular, if you are lucky you can observe a pot of Orcas up close or see the spout and tail of a humpback whale.
The more adventurous under
us can opt to pay a visit to the mighty grizzly bears of Knight Inlet.
Those who like to play it safe visit
the famous Butchart Gardens and enjoy the colourful flowerbeds. But watch out for the snakes...