Where is Vancouver or North Hollywood

Three times Vancouver won the title of "the best city in the world" according to the British edition of "The Economist". Solid, multicultural, multinational, law-abiding, it gives the impression of a calm and quiet haven where you want to spend your whole life.

Vancouver is an incredibly green and clean city. Trees brought from different parts of the world grow in parks and alleys. Exotic for these places, Japanese sakura and Chilean araucaria have perfectly taken root and delight the townspeople during the flowering period. The historical heritage of Vancouver is not too extensive, but this fact is compensated by the beauty of the city, the abundance of parks, recreational areas and excellent beaches. The city has a fairly mild climate with short winters without prolonged frosts. Therefore, the trip here is comfortable at any time of the year.

What to see in Vancouver?

Most Beautiful places and main attractions

City park on the shore of the bay, located next to downtown Vancouver. Indigenous peoples lived in this territory long before colonization by the British, and the first British ships arrived here. The park is a unique synthesis of nature and human creation. The total length of walking trails is more than 250 km. On the territory there are artificial reservoirs, monuments, sculptures and sports grounds.

Picturesque landscape park, one of the most popular places in the city. It is visited with pleasure by both locals and tourists. All representatives of the flora that grow in Canada are collected on the territory of the park: numerous conifers, birch, ash, maple, rhododendrons. The park is very popular with newlyweds; wedding photo shoots are often held here.

The garden was founded in 1972 at the expense of industrialist-philanthropist W.D. Van Dusen. Most of the area is occupied by ornamental plants collected from all over the world (there are more than 250 thousand specimens in total). The garden is divided into thematic areas and is decorated with various sculptures, pavilions, Indian totems, plant labyrinths and lakes. The park covers an area of ​​22 hectares.

Museum and architectural monument, a repository of priceless works of art. This museum is the largest in Western Canada. The gallery was founded in the 30s. XX century, the collection was based on the work of the Canadian artist E. Carr, the work of M. Chagall and D. Wall. In addition to the permanent exhibition, the museum organizes temporary exhibitions, which bring works of art from the best European galleries.

The history of the museum began with a small collection of the university British Columbia. Gradually, the exhibition grew, replenished with new exhibits. In 1976, a new building was erected for the museum, designed by architect A. Erikson. The exhibition halls showcase collections of traditional totems of Indian tribes, jewelry, paintings, Chinese ceramics, textiles, prints and much more.

City Museum, the collection of which has been collected for over 100 years. The main focus is on the history of Vancouver and the surrounding area, but also on the territory of the museum you can see the achievements of world culture. The museum conducts extensive educational and research activities, organizes lectures, educational programs and other educational events. The Vancouver Museum houses the McMillan Space Center with a planetarium and astronomical display.

The exposition of the museum is dedicated to the marine development of Vancouver, the Arctic and British Columbia. The main exhibit is a 1928 ship that was able to circumnavigate North America by sailing through the Panama Canal. The museum exposition consists of models of ships, navigation charts, documents and books. The collection is housed in a triangular building of modern architecture.

A science museum located in a modern building in the shape of a ball. The diameter of the structure is 47 meters, the top is crowned with a figure of a dinosaur. The exposition is a creative space where you can immerse yourself in the very essence of natural phenomena - walk through the "innards" of the camera, look inside the human body, try to lift a piece of a heavy meteorite. The museum will be of particular interest to families with children.

The aquarium is located in the center of Vancouver on the territory of Stanley Park. It is inhabited by about 50 thousand marine inhabitants. In addition to shows and entertainment programs, the aquarium hosts educational events where you can learn more about the history of the world's oceans and its inhabitants. Sharks, dolphins, otters, corals, starfish, dolphins and other inhabitants of the underwater depths live in the Vancouver Aquarium. But the main pride of the oceanarium is polar beluga dolphins: beautiful and intelligent animals.

10 Harbor Center

A skyscraper in downtown Vancouver, built in 1977. The place is remarkable in that it has a rotating observation deck, from where you can view the city from all angles, as well as admire the harbor and surroundings. The building reaches a height of 177 meters and consists of 28 floors. The opening of the tower took place in the presence of astronaut Neil Armstrong. Offices of commercial organizations are located on the territory.

11 Vancouver Public Library

A nine-story library complex, which includes a book depository, reading rooms, shops, cafes, a social service center, offices and underground parking. The library building resembles a modern interpretation of the Roman Colosseum. The funds contain more than 2.6 million copies of books, magazines, newspapers, maps, reference books, government publications and other printed sources.

12. Granville Island

Granville is a former commercial and industrial area of ​​Vancouver, located on Falls Creek. Today, it has been transformed into a popular family holiday destination, fashion gallery space and a shopping mecca. On Granville Island, life literally boils: atmospheric restaurants are packed with visitors, museums are always full of tourists, markets offer a varied and original assortment.

13. Gastown

Vancouver's historic district, the heart of the city and the center of its identity. Modern buildings in Gastown mix with Victorian buildings, old houses and pavements contrast with trendy clubs and restaurants. Gastown is home to Canada's largest Chinatown. The first settlers appeared here in the second half 19th century, Gastown has changed its appearance several times since then.

14. Canada Place

Pier and architectural complex in the form of a giant sailboat, one of the main attractions of Vancouver. On its territory there is a hotel, conference halls, a cinema, restaurants and trading floors. The complex was erected for the opening of the Expo 86 exhibition. Cruise ships are constantly moored at the Canada Place pier, and from the observation deck you can observe the activities of the port.

15. BBC Place Stadium

One of the largest sports arenas in Canada, which hosts various world-class competitions. The stadium was built in 1983 and renovated in 2011. During the 2010 Winter Olympics, it hosted the opening and closing ceremonies. BBC Place is the main venue for Canadian Football League matches. In addition to sporting events, concerts of world stars are held here.

16. Kitsilano Beach

A popular city beach located in the area of ​​the same name. The place is comfortable tourism infrastructure: cafes, swimming pools, walking paths, sports grounds and much more for the convenience of visitors. In the 60s. In the 20th century, the Kitsilano area was chosen by representatives of the hippie subculture, then they were replaced by creative bohemians and office workers.

17. English Bay Beach

Beach in a cozy bay in a residential area in the western part of central Vancouver. This place is famous for its unusually picturesque sunsets that attract tourists from all over the world. English Bay is a venue for social events, celebrations and festivals. The beach is also popular with locals; they are happy to spend time by the ocean in any weather.

18. Lions Gate Bridge

Suspension bridge about 500 meters long, connecting the city center with northwestern regions. It is considered one of the symbols of Vancouver. The building was erected in 1928. The bridge has a fairly large capacity - from 60 to 70 thousand vehicles cross it daily. In 2005, Lions Gate received National Historic Landmark status.

19. Capilano Suspension Bridge

A bridge located 70 meters above the Capilano River. The structure is not supported by pillars, but it is so strong that it can support the weight of almost 100 elephants. At the entrance to the bridge, Indian totem poles depicting mythical creatures are installed. Capilano was built at the end of the 19th century, the first construction was made of wood and ropes. At the beginning of the 20th century, it was replaced with a metal one.

20. Grouse Mountain

Mountain in the vicinity of Vancouver, which offers a magnificent view of the city. Grouse Mountain can be reached by cable car. IN winter time the mountain turns into a first-class ski resort with a developed infrastructure. Dozens of equipped slopes and trails, panoramic cafes with breathtaking views of Vancouver are at the service of ski and snowboard lovers.

Vancouverians are very fond of food, and they are also extraordinary gourmets. And this is no coincidence, because in addition to a wide selection of the freshest seafood, immigrants from all over the world offer the townspeople their delicious dishes. national cuisine.

As I have repeatedly said, Vancouver is such a Noah's Ark, in which people from all over the world have gathered. Sometimes here you meet people who have come from a country that you have heard about before, maybe once or twice in your life. Indeed, the choice of restaurants with various ethnic cuisines in Vancouver is simply huge! Arranging a meeting with friends, you first discuss what your soul desires today - Mexican cuisine, Chinese, Japanese or Mediterranean. Maybe Taiwan or Vietnam? What about Afghan or Ethiopian? Just poke a place on the map, select a country, and then Google ( for example, ethiopian restaurant near me / "Ethiopian restaurant nearby"). And you will receive a whole list of establishments that more or less meet your request.

When choosing a restaurant, be guided by online reviews and ratings - this always gives a good picture.

Another important note: the restaurant in North America almost any catering establishment is called. If you want to drink coffee with a bun, then ask a coffee shop (coffee shop), everything else - a cafe, a canteen, a diner, and even an ordinary dirty eatery - can be proudly called a "restaurant". Google to help you!

What is a must try

If you are not against experiments, be sure to try sashimi. This is a Japanese dish of raw fish, usually salmon, tuna, mackerel, cuttlefish, and other seafood. Thanks to the proximity of the ocean, excellent fish is available in Vancouver and restaurants will spoil you with fresh lobster, shrimp, squid and other healthy and tasty sea creatures. Good sashimi should not cost less than 11 USD (15 CAD) per serving, other fish dishes - from 15 USD (20 CAD) and more.

Be sure to go to a Vietnamese restaurant and order their national pho soup (Pho). He will especially please on a cold day or after outdoor activities, when the stomach asks for something liquid and easily digestible. Pho soup is prepared on the basis of meat broth with the addition of noodles and different types of meat. Moreover, the more ingredients, the richer and tastier the broth. Look on the menu for the one with the most listings. For example, I am not a big fan of offal - as a rule, she gets all of her husband, but she adds her own taste and aroma to the broth. Portions are always huge, and this pleasure costs only 5-7 USD (7-9 CAD).

A traditional Canadian dish is Putin(emphasis on I). We wrote about it here.

If you still want something traditionally American, then be sure to try local sandwich or burger(no big difference). A good burger costs from 9 USD (12 CAD) and is a whole set meal. A burger includes at least three ingredients, among which there will be a huge piece of meat, fish or chicken (unless, of course, you prefer vegetarian), a lot of greens, sauce. In fact, this is a full-fledged second course, placed between two pieces of bread. In good restaurants, bread is baked right on the spot, and vegetables are supplied by local farmers.

Walking along the coast, be sure to go to a restaurant offering fish and chips. This is fresh fish, deep fried. You usually get a choice of cod, salmon and halibut from 7 USD (10 CAD) per serving. You won't find this kind of deliciousness anywhere else.

All the inhabitants of the North American continent are crazy about coffee. They absorb it by the liter! The most popular coffee shop is the well-known Starbucks - a large American chain store, whose outlets are located literally at every intersection, it will not be difficult to find them. However, I would advise you to look for small private coffee shops. They are cozier and the pastries differ in some variety.

You can sit in Vancouver coffee shops for hours! This is a favorite place for students: they take a table next to the outlet, take out a laptop and study, and no one drives them away.

Helpful Hints:

1. Feel free to tell the waiter if you suffer from allergies or avoid certain foods for other reasons - these things are treated with respect here and they try to offer alternatives.
2. Don't forget the tip! The standard tip in Vancouver restaurants is 15-20%. If you pay in cash and give an amount slightly higher than the amount of the order (for example, 20 USD on a bill of 15 USD), you may be politely asked if you want change. It's such a subtle hint. If the bill is much larger, then you will be clearly counted the change, but it is understood that, as a good grateful visitor, leaving, you will leave the tip peacefully lying on the table. In the case when you pay by card, the machine will give you the choice of % - the amount in dollars or skip the option.
3. If you smoke and absolutely cannot do without cigarettes, it is better to bring them with you. Firstly, they are expensive here - there is nothing cheaper than 8 USD (11 CAD) per pack. Secondly, you will not find any tobacco or alcohol on the shelves of Vancouver stores. Cigarettes should be asked at the Customer Service departments or at the cashier, but the problem is that you must clearly know the brand name, because no one will show you the full range. Oh yes! You will also be asked for a document confirming that you are already 19 years old.
4. Alcohol is bought in special Liquor Store stores. State shops are closed after 18-19:00 and on weekends. Private ones are almost always open, but the choice is poorer and prices are higher. Again, minors should not go there.

Buying products

If you are tired of public catering or prefer to cook for yourself, you can buy all the necessary products in any supermarket in the city. Prices in different stores differ slightly, so it makes no sense to advise something specific. Vancouverers are obsessed with so-called "natural products" (organic). Therefore, there are entire supermarkets in the city that sell only natural products (or at least they claim so). No one really believes in the organic origin of all these joys, but many, nevertheless, are ready to pay big money for them.

You can buy excellent fresh fish and other seafood at local markets. The best place to do this is in the suburbs of Vancouver, Richmond, in the so-called Steveston Village. Fishermen moor to the shore and sell their catch right from the boat. In Downtown, go to the market at Granville Island.

Wherever a person moves, everywhere he wants to eat his own, dear. Therefore, in almost any supermarket in Vancouver you will find an Imported Foods section. And there are also a lot of specialized shops with products from different countries: Filipino, Chinese, Iranian, European (often they unite all of Europe, including the east, which means Ukraine and Russia). It is interesting to go on an excursion there, because without knowing the language, you are unlikely to understand these overseas products. In Europe, our people go for buckwheat, herring, sprats, sauerkraut and cucumbers, for cottage cheese, dumplings, marshmallows and sweets.

Vancouver

Vancouver in British Columbia.

Vancouver(Vancouver) is a city in Canada.

Not to be confused with Vancouver, a city in US state Washington.

Basic information about the city

The city is in the extreme southwest of Canada, next to the US border and the Pacific Ocean. It is the center of the province of British Columbia.

The city is located at the confluence of the Fraser River in the ocean bay, opposite Vancouver Island, blocking it from the open ocean. The climate is characterized by mild wet winters and moderately warm summers.

The first European settlements appeared there in 1827. The first city of New Westminster was built in the late 1850s. In the 1860s, there was a gold rush - a continuation of the California. In the 1880s, the Pacific Railroad was built, with Vancouver as its terminus. This gave him the opportunity to develop a major international port.

In 1886, the city united all the settlements and was named after the English captain George Vancouver, who explored the area at the end of the 18th century and discovered a large island (also named after him). Two months later, the city burned to the ground.

The rebuilt city became a thriving port, especially after the opening of the Panama Canal in 1914. By 1930, Vancouver was the main ice-free port on the Pacific coast of Canada, connecting with two large suburbs. After World War II, it became Canada's main business center for trade with Asia and the Asia-Pacific region. It is connected to the hinterland of Canada and the United States by rail, road and air.

The population of the city in 2014 was about 610 thousand people. A large proportion of the city's population is of Asian origin.

Jews in Vancouver

The first Jews in the city

The old building of the Vancouver synagogue Shara Tzedek. Photo by Andrew Haward, Canada.

Jews began arriving in southwestern Canada in the 1850s from Europe, the more eastern provinces of Canada, and the western United States. One of the first Jews on the site of the future Vancouver was Lewis Gold (1835-1907) from Poland, known as "Leaping Louis", who arrived with his family in the early 1870s. He opened a general store on Water Street. The Gold family later expanded the business by purchasing additional land. His son Gold (1868-1946) was already the owner of the Vancouver Mortgage Bank in 1892 and was elected to the city council from South Vancouver in 1914.

Jewish life in Vancouver began in the early 1880s, when a small number of pioneers arrived in the city, attracted by the prospect of a future railway and port. One of the city's most famous early builders was David Oppenheimer (1834-1897), a Jewish Bavarian who arrived in 1885 and served as Vancouver's second mayor from 1887 to 1891. His brothers Meyer, Godfrey, Isaac and Charles also made history in the city. . Their family business is Oppenheimer Bros. & Co. Ltd. - built the city's first wholesale grocery store (aka the city's first brick building). They were among the largest landowners in the city.

During his tenure, Oppenheimer opened up foreign trade and began building Vancouver's water system, sidewalks, bridges, transit roads, and lighting. He also donated large tracts of his personal land for public facilities and the development of local industries. Oppenheimer was widely known as the "Father of Vancouver" and his bust still stands at the entrance to the world-famous Stanley Park, which he established for the city in 1888.

In 1887, a separate plot for Jews was set aside at the Mountain View Cemetery. In 1891 there were 85 Jews in the city. The first Jewish congregation "Agudas Achim" held a common prayer at the feast in October 1891 in the hall of the Knights of Pitya. The first liberal congregation was founded in 1894 by Rabbi Solomon Philo from Germany, who arrived from Victoria. In 1895 Temple Emanuel was founded; the first head of the congregation was Edward Gold. For many years its head was Samuel Ginzburger of Switzerland (1867-1924), who arrived in Vancouver in 1887. He was involved in Indian trade, real estate, insurance and finance, and was a member of the West Vancouver City Council and Swiss consul.

Until the early 20th century, Vancouver's Jewish population was less than 200, divided between a small congregation (Temple Emanuel) of acculturated Western European Jews living in the western part of the city and a growing number of Yiddish-speaking newcomers from Eastern Europe. Most of the latter were originally concentrated in the immigrant east side of Vancouver in the Strathcona and Chinatown areas, many of them worked in the clothing or second-hand trade, were tailors, shoemakers, artisans in other specialties, peddlers. They followed the traditional way of life.

In 20th century

Abraham David Goldstein, a native of Poland, was engaged in the purchase of land and construction. Its most famous building is the Sylvia's Court, the city's first high-rise residential building. In the 1930s, a hotel was set up there; in 1976 the house was declared part of the cultural heritage.

By 1911, Eastern Europeans had filled the Jewish community (which numbered 1,024), becoming the dominant element. In 1907, an orthodox community was created Bnei Yehuda presided over by Zebulon Franks (1864-1926), a merchant who arrived from the Ukraine in 1887, whose shop and home have been the site of Orthodox worship in Vancouver ever since. The community opened its first synagogue in the Strathcon area in 1911 and changed its name to Shara Tzedek (Gate of Truth) in 1917.

The Great Synagogue was built in 1921 when Vancouver's Jewish population reached 1,376. Chevra Kadisha, Bnei B'rith Lodge, Jewish Aid, and the Immigrant Society also settled there. Over the next three decades, the community Shara Zedek led, most of the time, by Nathan Mayer Pastinsky (1887-1948), a skilled shoikhet who became the religious leader of the Jewish community. He was universally respected for his concern for the welfare of the city. The new Jewish cemetery was opened in 1929.

The social society was founded in 1913. The first of the many branches of Hadassah was organized in 1920, and for many years this group organized a large annual bazaar in the city. The National Council of Jewish Women was also very visible in Vancouver from 1924, starting a number of innovative social programs for children and the elderly. A free children's clinic was established by the Jewish Women's Council in 1927. The women's section of the Bnei B'rith was formed in 1927, the Women Pioneers in 1933.

Among the community's youth groups during these years were Young Judea and Aleph Tzadik Aleph, and a little later, Hillel and one of the most active chapters of Ha-Bonim in North America.

Early self-help organizations included the Jewish Immigrant Mutual Aid Society, the Jewish Free Credit Association, and the Ahdut Society (credit union), formed in 1927. In 1924, the Jewish Community Chest was created to centralize community fundraising. It later became an umbrella organization for all Jewish organizations in the Vancouver area. In 1928, the Jewish Community Center opened; he began publishing a weekly leaflet, the forerunner of the Jewish Western Bulletin, which served as the community's newspaper from 1930.

To coordinate these new institutions and organizations, the Jewish Administrative Council was established in 1932. In 1950 it was replaced by an expanded representative body, the Jewish Community Council and Fund. Intra-community social work was also strengthened by the establishment in 1936 of the Jewish Family Service Agency, which was run for many years by social worker Jesse Ellman.

In 1946, with the help of a donation from comedian Eddie Cantor (1892-1964), the first Jewish nursing home was opened. It was expanded in 1968 and since then has been operating under the name of the Houses and Hospitals. Lewis Brier (1861-1936), a prosperous Romanian immigrant who left a legacy to the institution.

In 1962, the Vancouver Jewish Community Center opened - a focal point for community activities, the seat of many Jewish community organizations, and a venue for cultural and sporting events. Pacific branch The Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC), which originated in Vancouver in 1941 and opened its office in 1949, also plays a leading role in community outreach, advocacy for Israel, and a number of educational initiatives.

Vancouver is the largest city and seaport in British Columbia, located in southwestern Canada. This is a dynamically developing metropolis, which is famous for its high standard of living, clean air, beautiful natural landscapes and mild climate.

General information

Vancouver is located on the shores of Barrard Bay in the Fraser River Valley, in close proximity to Pacific Ocean and the northeastern border of the United States. This is one of the most picturesque settlements in the world. From all sides the city is surrounded by incredibly beautiful mountain peaks and dense coniferous forests, thanks to which the air in Vancouver is clean and saturated with the smell of needles.

The population of Vancouver, according to 2011, is more than 600 thousand people. As for Greater Vancouver, which includes more than 20 suburbs in addition to the city itself, its population is over 2.3 million people. Vancouver is the most populous city in Western Canada with a population density of over 5,000 people/sq. km.

Prior to the arrival of Europeans, what is now Vancouver belonged to the Squamish, Musquim, and Tsleilvotoot Indian tribes, who are the indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest. The first European to set foot on these lands was the Spanish explorer José Maria Narvaez, who landed on the west coast of Canada in 1791. The conditional date of the founding of the city is considered to be July 27, 1827, when Fort Langley began to be built in this place by the Hudson's Bay Company.

Thanks to its excellent geographical location, mild climate and ideal ecology, Vancouver attracts a huge number of immigrants from all over the world. A significant percentage of Vancouver residents are from South-East Asia. It is one of the most ethnically and linguistically diverse cities in Canada.

The city is very popular among foreign students due to the presence of a large number of educational centers, language schools and colleges. The Greater Vancouver area has 5 public universities. The largest and most prestigious of them is the University of British Columbia (UBC), which is among the top 40 universities in the world.

Vancouver has been named the world's best city by The Economist three times (2005, 2007, 2009). In February 2010, the XXI Winter Olympic Games were held in the city. Prior to that, Vancouver twice took part in competitions for the right to host the Olympic Games in 1976 and 1980.

Weather in Vancouver

Vancouver is one of the rainiest and warmest cities in Canada. The city has a temperate climate, which is characterized by mild rainy winters and sunny warm summers. The richest in precipitation is the period from October to March. It rains here more than 161 days throughout the year. The best time to travel to Vancouver is from May to September.

The summer months are mostly dry average daily temperature+22°C. Winters in Vancouver are among the mildest in Canada. The lowest temperature ever recorded in the city was around -18°C.

Vancouver Transport

The city is served by Vancouver International Airport (YVR), located in the city of Richmond on the Sea Island, 12 km south of downtown Vancouver. It is one of the largest and busiest airports in Canada.

The international airport is connected to downtown Vancouver by The Canada Line, one of 3 SkyTrain elevated light rail lines. Late at night and during The Canada Line breaks, the N10 night bus runs between the airport and downtown Vancouver.

Vancouver has a well developed transportation system. The city's public transport is represented by numerous buses and trolleybuses, the West Coast Express suburban passenger rail line, the SkyTrain elevated light metro and the SeaBus passenger ferry, which is also called the sea bus. The city also has a well-developed network of cycle paths.

Most of Vancouver's public transport is operated by TransLink. The transport system of the city is divided into 3 zones. Each of them has its own fare. The purchased ticket is valid for 1.5 hours and is the same for all modes of transport.

Vancouver's SkyTrain is the world's longest rapid transit system that is fully automated. It was built for the 1986 World's Fair. The SkyTrain system has 3 lines: Expo (Expo line), Millennium (Millennium line) and Canada (Canada line). All 3 lines share the same Waterfront terminus, located in northwest Vancouver.

The SeaBus fleet currently includes 3 passenger ferries that run daily between Downtown and North Vancouver from 6:00 am to 1:00 am. The newest ship was put into operation in 2009.

Districts of Vancouver

Downtown Vancouver

• Downtown (Downtown) - business district of Vancouver, which is home to many high-rise buildings, popular entertainment centers, trendy restaurants and offices of large corporations.
• Yaletown is a trendy neighborhood along False Creek. The area attracts with its marinas, cozy parks, residential high-rise buildings, boutiques, designer shops and luxury comfortable housing.
• West End is a commercial and residential area with low rise houses. It borders Stanley Park to the north. The area is home to Vancouver's gay community.
• Coal Harbor is the northernmost of downtown Vancouver. It is bordered to the north by Stanley Park and to the south by the financial district.
• Gastown is a historic district of Vancouver famous for its late Victorian architecture.
• Chinatown is Vancouver's thriving Chinese community and is the largest of its kind in Canada and the third largest in North America.
• Downtown Eastside is one of the oldest districts Vancouver, known for high levels of poverty, crime and drugs.

Other Popular Areas in Vancouver

• Commercial Drive is one of the multicultural areas of the city with a large number of ethnic and vegetarian restaurants.
• Granville Island and Fairview are popular tourist and shopping centers in the city.
• Kitsilano is a popular area located along the south coast of English Bay, 10 minutes from Downtown. It was named after Indian chief Augustus Jack Kitsilano. The lands of this area were formerly owned by the Squamish Indians.

Suburbs of Vancouver

• Burnaby is an eastern suburb that is the seat of the City of Greater Vancouver. It is also a center for leisure, business and educational activities.
• North Vancouver (City of North Vancouver) - a city located on the northern shore of Barrard Bay. In terms of population, it is one of the hundred largest settlements in Canada. Over 48 thousand inhabitants live here. This is a bright dynamically developing city with magnificent nature and a high standard of living.
• West Vancouver is a city located northeast of Vancouver. It is famous for its beautiful sandy beaches, ski slopes, marinas and picturesque surroundings.
• Richmond is a coastal city located on Lulu Island, 25 minutes from the US border. The percentage of immigrants among the population of Richmond is the highest (60%). Most of it is Chinese. The city has two of the largest Buddhist temples in North America - International Buddhist Temple and Ling Yen Mountain. In terms of security, Richmond ranks 3rd in British Columbia.
• Surrey is the second largest city in British Columbia after Vancouver. Most of the population is made up of immigrants from South Asia (30%), mostly Indians. Within the city is the Semiahmoo Indian Reservation.
• New Westminster is a city of significant historical importance located 19 kilometers southeast of Vancouver. It was founded in 1858 as the capital of the colony of British Columbia.
• Coquitlam is a suburb located 15 km east of downtown Vancouver. In 2009, Coquitlam was appointed by Heritage Canada cultural capital countries.
• Port Coquitlam is a city located 27 km east of Vancouver at the confluence of the Pitt and Fraser rivers. It is famous for its calm provincial atmosphere.
• Delta is a municipality located 27 kilometers south of Vancouver. Surrounded on three sides by waterways: to the south by Boundary Bay, to the west by the Strait of Georgia, and to the north by the Fraser River.
• Pitt Meadows is a city located 40 km east of Vancouver. It was named after William Pitt, British Prime Minister during the Napoleonic era.
• Maple Ridge is a quiet country town located in the northeastern part of Greater Vancouver.
• Port Moody is a city located 30 km from Downtown Vancouver. It was named after Richard Moody, a major general and first lieutenant governor of the colony of British Columbia.
• Langley is a municipality in Greater Vancouver, located east of the city of Surrey. It hosts the Langley Cruise-In, a major auto show, and the Arts Alive Festival every year.
• White Rock is a city located in the south of Greater Vancouver near the US border. It was named after a large white boulder located on the beach next to the promenade.

Attractions Vancouver

Historic landmarks in Vancouver

• The historic district of Gastown, with magnificent late Victorian buildings, antique gas lamps, cobbled streets and labyrinths of narrow lanes. The area's main attraction is the Steam Clock, which powers a steam generator located underground. The clock strikes every quarter of an hour, while spewing a cloud of steam.
• Fort Langley is considered the founding place of British Columbia. It was here that a century and a half ago, a small fort was built by the Hudson's Bay Company to trade furs with hunters and Indian tribes.
• Christ Church Cathedral is a Gothic cathedral of the Anglican Diocese of New Westminster, opened in 1894.

Vancouver architecture

• Harbor Center is a famous skyscraper in the heart of Vancouver's business district. On its roof is The Lookout, a circular observation deck that provides visitors with a 360° view of the Vancouver area and nearby areas of the United States.
• The Marine Building is a skyscraper built in the Art Deco style in 1930. Its height is about 98 m.
• Vancouver Public Library is the second largest public library in Canada.
• Canada Place is a famous architectural complex, which in its shape resembles a huge sailboat, consisting of five sails.
• BC Place Stadium - the main stadium of the Paralympics and Olympic Games 2010. It hosted the opening and closing of the games, as well as the awarding of champions and prize-winners. The stadium can accommodate up to 55 thousand spectators.

Bridges of Vancouver

• Capilano Suspension Bridge- suspension bridge, connecting the two edges of the canyon, the depth of which is 70 m. The bridge was built in 1889. Today it is privately owned and tourists are charged a fee for crossing the bridge. The total length of the bridge is 136 m.
• Lion's Gate is a beautiful suspension bridge connecting Stanley Park and the north side of Barrard Bay. The total length of the bridge is 1.8 km.
• Burrard Bridge, made in the art deco style, connects the districts of Downtown and Kitsilano.
• The Cambie and Granville bridges span between Yaletown and the Fairview area on south coast False Creek.

Vancouver parks

• Stanley Park - Stanley Park, which is the second largest urban park in the world. Its area is 400 hectares. On its territory there are many different species of birds and animals (coyotes, squirrels, skunks, raccoons, etc.). There are many bike paths, as well as Indian totem poles, an Aquarium, a comfortable mini-golf course and 2 picturesque reservoirs - Lost Lagoon and Beaver Lake.
• Queen Elizabeth Park - Queen Elizabeth Park, covering an area of ​​53 hectares. On its territory there are golf courses, floating gardens, tennis courts, an arboretum, picnic areas, a rose garden, pavilions for various events and the beautiful Prentice Blaudel Greenhouse, which contains various tropical and desert plants, as well as more than a hundred species of birds.
• Capilano Park is a picturesque age-old forest with exciting hiking trails. On the territory of the park there is an Indian fort, a park of Indian totems and a secret Indian city, which is a system of suspended passages stretched between trees.
• Dr. Sun Yat - Sen Classical Chinese Garden - a traditional Chinese garden located at the intersection of Chinatown and historical center Vancouver. This is a real oasis of calm and sophisticated beauty.
• Minter Gardens - 11 themed gardens located at the foot of Mount Chim.

Vancouver beaches

• Kitsilano Beach is one of Vancouver's most popular beaches. Its main attraction is the outdoor heated swimming pool filled with sea water. The swimming pool is only open during summer. Kitsilano Beach offers great views of downtown Vancouver and the mountains.
• Spanish Banks is one of the best beaches in Vancouver and the place where explorer José-Maria Narváez landed.
• Wreck Beach - the largest nudist beach in the world, about 7 km long, is located isolated from the city behind the UBC University area.
• English Bay Beach is the most popular beach in Vancouver, located in the West End. It is also called First Beach.
• The second beach (Second Beach) from Stanley Park is a beach that is very popular among lovers of diving and long swims.
• The third beach (Third Beach) is a secluded sandy beach, which is located near the city center. This ideal place for romantic meetings and secluded swimming is located on the banks of Setnley Park.
• Sunset Beach is a small sandy beach located in the western part of Vancouver. It has a large indoor swimming pool.
• Jericho Beach is a sandy beach with a small pond. Its eastern part is popular with windsurfers and sailing enthusiasts.
• Locarno Beach is a quiet sandy beach surrounded by beautiful evergreen trees.
• Other popular beaches: Acadia, Tower Beach, Point Gray Beach and small beaches of Stanley Park.

Museums in Vancouver

• The Anthropological Museum (Museum of Anthropology) is part of the UBC University. Here are collections that acquaint museum guests with the cultures of the peoples of the world, including the culture of the indigenous peoples of Canada. The largest collection of the museum is located in the Great Hall. It includes totem poles made from cedar, canoes with colorful patterns, and chests made from bent wood.
• The Maritime Museum is Canada's first maritime museum. Its exhibits are devoted to the maritime history of Vancouver. The main attraction of the museum is the historic arctic schooner Saint Roch. The Maritime Museum also houses a large collection of ship models made of paper, cardboard and bone.
• The Vancouver Museum contains a rich collection dedicated to the history of the city and the Pacific coast. Here you can also get acquainted with the culture of the Indian tribes of Canada. On the territory of the museum is the Macmillan Space Center, which includes the Planetarium and the Ground Station Theater, in which its guests will be told about astronauts, their food and work, as well as tell about meteorites and space exploration.
• Art Gallery (Art Gallery) - the largest in Western Canada, was founded in 1931. Its collections include over 10,000 paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, sculptures and contemporary Canadian art.
• Museum of Science (Science World) - a 47-meter grandiose building of a spherical shape, crowned with the silhouette of a dinosaur. This is a large scientific center, on the territory of which there are many permanent interactive exhibitions and expositions. The Eureka Gallery, the Sarah Stern Research Gallery and the Gallery of Illusions are very popular. For children, a special Children's Gallery is open, where you can learn a lot of new and useful things through the game.

Vancouver Holidays

• Celebration of Light (end of July/beginning of August) is an annual fireworks music competition that attracts many pyrotechnic teams from Italy, Portugal, Mexico, China, the Czech Republic, Sweden and other countries.
• International Jazz Festival (June) - an annual international jazz festival, which is the largest such event in British Columbia. As part of the festival, jazz bands perform in parks, community centers, concert halls, clubs, squares and streets of various areas of Vancouver.
• Pride Parade and Festival (August) is an annual gay pride parade that is the largest in Western Canada and one of the largest in North America.
• Sun Run (April) - one of the largest races in North America, which has been held annually since 1985 with the participation of more than 50 thousand people at distances of 2.5 km and 10 km.
• Vancouver Marathon (May) - An annual 42-kilometer marathon, which is the largest such event in Canada.
• Dancing on the Edge (July) is an annual contemporary dance festival that runs for 2 weeks.

Vancouver Restaurants

The best restaurants in the city:

• Cloud 9 (1400 Robson Street 42/F) is a revolving restaurant located on the 42nd floor of the Empire Landmark Hotel. This is the perfect place for a romantic dinner.
• Al Porto (321 Water St) is a cozy Italian restaurant organized in the best traditions of Italy.
• Bishop's (2183 W. 4th Ave.) - An upscale contemporary Canadian restaurant. Well-prepared meals and cozy atmosphere will leave only pleasant impressions with its visitors.
• L "Abattoir (217 Carrall St) is a French restaurant located in a restored 19th-century building that was the site of Vancouver's first prison.
• Phnom Penh Restaurant (244 Georgia St E) is a Cambodian restaurant located in Chinatown.
• Radha Yoga and Eatery (730 Main Street) is a vegan restaurant located in Chinatown.

Things to Do in Vancouver

Vancouver is incredibly rich in entertainment. For its guests, the city offers many entertainment complexes, ski resorts, nightclubs, cinemas, exhibitions, festivals, cafes, etc. In the summer in Vancouver, a large number of park areas and comfortable beaches.

Popular Destinations in Vancouver

• The Vancouver Aquarium is one of the largest in North America. In addition, it is one of the five best aquariums in the world. Various halls are presented on its territory: the underwater world of the Amazon, the North West coast North America and tropical seas. There is also a 4D cinema and a corner of the rainforest with tree animals, butterflies and birds.
• Klahowya is a unique village in Stanley Park, which offers its guests to plunge into the world of the indigenous peoples of the West Coast of Canada. Here you can see traditional Native American jewelry, artwork and more. Throughout the summer, from Friday to Monday, various cultural events take place in the village.
• Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) is a major convention center that houses seasonal amusement parks with numerous rides such as American and water rides, carousels, "death lifts" and more. Also on the territory of the exhibition center are a variety of shows, cultural events, performances by various creative teams and an annual fair, which is held in August.

Things to do in Vancouver

• Cycling on the many bike paths located in the beautiful parks of Vancouver.
• Fishing. You can rent a boat and find out about the best fishing spots at the many boat rentals in Granville, Coal Harbor and Horseshoe Bay.
• Play golf on numerous specialized golf courses, which are open daily from April to October.
• Hiking along the picturesque mountain trails in the vicinity of the city
• Diving activity. Vancouver has ideal conditions for scuba diving. The most popular places are Whytecliff Park and Cates Park.
• Snowboarding and skiing. Vancouver's most popular ski resort is Whistler, which is located a 2-hour drive from the city. Other popular ski resorts less than an hour away are Cypress, Mount Seymour and Grouse Mountain.
• Rafting on numerous wild rivers such as Chilliwack, Squamish, Nahatlatch, etc.
• Windsurfing in the English Bay or on the Jericho shores.
• Visiting numerous comfortable beaches, as well as indoor and outdoor pools of the city.
• Watching the migration of killer whales (Killer Whale) from May to September.

Shopping in Vancouver

Shopping in Vancouver is considered one of the best in North America. The most favorable time for shopping is the traditional Christmas sale (Boxing day), during which you can buy things at significant discounts, up to 70%.

Popular shopping streets in Vancouver are Robson street, Main Street and the Gastown area. There are a large number of specialty shops, vintage boutiques, souvenir shops and designer shops.

Another interesting place for shopping is the Granville market, located on the island of the same name. Each department is completely unique. This is a kind of tourist attraction in Vancouver. Here you can buy products that you can not buy in ordinary supermarkets, such as delicious sausages, real French cheese and much more. Many interesting souvenirs are also sold here.

The best malls in Vancouver

• Metrotown is the largest shopping center in British Columbia. On its territory there are more than 450 shops, as well as a cinema and entertainment complexes.
• Pacific Center is a large shopping complex located in downtown Vancouver with over 100 stores, most of which are underground.
• Richmond Center - shopping complex with 230 shops and many entertainments. It is located a quarter of an hour from Vancouver International Airport in the suburbs of Richmond.
• Brentwood Town Center is a major shopping center in the Burnaby area. The building of the center is decorated with white domes, stylized as snow-capped mountains. Due to its convenient location and excellent selection of shops, the mall is constantly crowded.

Vancouver Hotels

Vancouver - The Pearl of Canada and one of the most beautiful cities in the world. About 12 million people visit the city every year, which makes it one of the most important and most popular tourist destinations in the country.

The population of the city itself is 600,000 people. (as of June 2006), but in Greater Vancouver (Greater Vancouver), if you count more than 20 suburbs, there are more than 2 million people. Greater Vancouver is also often referred to as the Lower Mainland, that is, the Lower Mainland, referring to its location on the coast (as opposed to Vancouver Island, where the provincial capital, Victoria, is located). Along with other neighboring municipalities, Vancouver is part of the Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD) council.

Story

The bountiful ecological system at the site of what is now Vancouver, rich in flora and fauna, has provided food and materials for people for over 10,000 years. The first known settlement at the mouth of the Fraser River was founded about 3,000 years ago under the name Musqueam, meaning "people of the grass." At the time of the first contacts of Europeans with the natives, there were already several villages of the Musquim and Squamish tribes here. There is also evidence of the Tsleil'wauthuth tribe, the forerunners of the modern Burrard group in North Vancouver. Common cultural traditions united the natives who settled along the ocean coast, in the valley of the Fraser River and in the northern territories of the current state of Washington. common language was Halkomelem, but the Squamish Indians spoke their own language. The tribes were at a fairly high level of social development. social status each member of the tribe was dependent on personal donations to the community, which strengthened the community as a whole (the prototype of the modern tax system). Such ceremonies for the transfer of personal property for public use - potlatch - were an important part of the social and spiritual life of the tribe. Interestingly, since the end of the 19th century, potlaches began to be banned by the state administration and were abolished ..

The Canadian Pacific coast was explored by James Cook in 1778, who explored the northwest coast from Vancouver Island to Alaska.

The city's history begins in the winter of 1824, when the Hudson Bay Company established several Pacific fur trading outposts. A group of 40 men, led by James McMillan, chose a site in the Fraser River valley—the current Langley area—where a fort was being built a few months later. It was July 27, 1827, which can be conditionally considered the date of the founding of the city. Fort Langley was a fur trader (2,000 beaver skins were sold in 1832) and by the 1840s had become the largest exporter of fish (salted sturgeon) on the Pacific coast, with the main market in Hawaii. Governor Douglas leaves Fort Langley after the proclamation of British Columbia. Everything changed dramatically with the discovery of gold deposits on the Fraser River. On November 19, 1858, the Governor of Vancouver Island, James Douglas, proclaimed the Fraser River Valley a British colony at Fort Langley. Immediately, about 25,000 American prospectors rushed here. To avoid American expansion, England sends a small group of engineers to the newly minted colony to demonstrate the English flag and build roads. The first 25 sappers arrived from England on November 25, 1858 under the command of Richard Moody. Their settlement was called Sapperton - the current New Westminster (New Westminster). The name New Westminster was proposed by Queen Victoria and soon this settlement, protected from the American side by the Fraser River, becomes the capital of two united colonies of the British crown (Vancouver Island and the Fraser River Valley). However, in 1868, the city of Victoria again regained the title of capital. In 1859, Moody built a road between New Westminster and the ice-free Burrard Bay (today it is the border between Burnaby and Coquitlam - Burnaby and Coquitlam). Holy Trinity Church in New Westminster. 1860 People began to settle in areas now known as Burnaby and Delta (Delta). On the Pitt River, there is a dairy farm with 50 cows. Between New Westminster and Falce Creek, the False Creek Trail was built along the path of the Aboriginal Trail - practically corresponding to modern-day Kingsway Street. Surprisingly, there was not a single sawmill nearby, and the first church, St. John the Divine Anglican - Consecrated in May 1859, was built from mahogany imported from California.

In 1871, Canada promised British Columbia that its accession to Confederation would lead to a trans-Canada railroad. So British Columbia became a province of Canada. Perhaps she would have been in no hurry to join if she knew that the railway would not be laid until 15 years later. Originally, Port Moody, located on the easternmost part of the bay, was declared the terminal of the Canadian Pacific Railway. A curious fact, but the first steam locomotive was brought here by water. The happiness of the village was short-lived: the bay in this area turned out to be too shallow for ocean steamers and the general director of the railway, William Van Horne, decided to move the terminal to the Grenville area. There was another hidden reason for moving the terminal to the area adjacent to English Bay (English Bay) and Keul Harbor (Coal Harbor): in Port Moody, Canadian ownership of the road was nominally ending.

In 1955, the map of Vancouver changed again with the separation of the municipality of Langley, and two years later, White Rock separated from Surry, becoming a haven for wealthy retirees. Simon Fraser University. The 60s are marked by the appearance of the second bridge across Burrard Bay (Second Narrows Bridge), the formation of the mountain resort of Whistler (Whistler), the construction of Queen Elizabeth Playhouse (Queen Elizabeth Playhouse), the establishment of the Marine Festival (Vancouver Sea Festival), the opening of the Institute of Technology (BCIT) and Simon Fraser University in Burnaby.

In the XX and XXI centuries, Vancouver, like any other Big City faced with the problems of urbanization: ethnic tension, crime, pollution, increasing traffic, drugs, unemployment, rising taxes, etc. But at the same time, Vancouver residents enjoy a wonderful unique always temperate climate, enviable geographical represented in our society, a literacy rate higher than anywhere else in Canada and, finally, the triumph of the electronic information age.

Physical and geographical characteristics

Greater Vancouver - as the city is also called with its virtually unlimited municipalities - is located at the mouth of the Fraser River on both banks of the long Barrard Bay. Many majestic modern bridges connect different parts of the city across the bay and the river with its branches. The business part of the city is connected with the northern districts by the famous Lion's Gate Bridge (length 516 m). And, although there are 2 lion sculptures at the entrance to the bridge, the bridge is named after two amazing and unique peaks. Lion Mountain resembling heads sea ​​lions and dominating the northern part of Vancouver and the entire valley. On all sides, Vancouver is surrounded by mountain peaks covered with tall coniferous forests: the Coast Range from the north and east, the high (3285 m) Mount Baker from the south beyond the American border and the mountain range of Vancouver Island towering above the azure of the strait in good weather. Many peaks are dressed in snow-white snow caps all year round, elegantly contrasting with the dazzling blue of the sky.

The most famous city park "Stanley" was laid out on a peninsula jutting into the bay as early as 1886 (the first year of the city's existence), when dense primeval forests rose around. Now Stanley Park and its seaside promenade are a favorite vacation spot for citizens and tourists. There is a large oceanarium with trained dolphins, pools with collections of fish and amphibians, a zoo, a collection of bright Indian totems placed in the open air. Another park - Queen Elizabeth - is known for its botanical garden.

Ecosystem

The flora in the Vancouver area was originally represented by temperate forests, consisting of conifers and scattered areas of maple and alder, as well as large wetlands. Conifers were especially common in coastal areas of British Columbia and were a mixture of Pseudotsugi, Thuya folded and Hemlock variegated. The area of ​​​​growth of the largest of these tree species is considered the coast of British Columbia. Only in the Elliott Bay area, Seattle, does the size of these trees rival those found in the Barrard Bay and English British Columbia areas.

Many of the plants and trees that grow throughout Vancouver were imported from different parts of the continent and even from East Asia across the Pacific. Growing in the city different kinds palm trees and a large number of other exotic plants such as Chilean Araucaria, Japanese Maple, Magnolia, Azalea and Rhododendron. Some Rhododendrons grow to enormous sizes, as do other species brought from areas with more severe climates. Many varieties of Sakura grow along many streets, donated to the city by the Japanese government and the 1930s.

Climate

Vancouver's climate is temperate and warm. Precipitation is plentiful, except during the summer months. Winter is mild and rainy. The summer months are usually quite dry and warm, with moderate drought in July-August. The rest of the year, on the contrary, is rich in precipitation, especially the period from October to March.

The average annual rainfall, according to the Vancouver Airport in Richmond, is 1199 mm, although the actual level of precipitation varies significantly by area due to terrain features: in the business sector, it is much higher. In winter, most of the days (again, according to Vancouver Airport) will be marked by significant precipitation. The summer months are drier and sunnier, with moderate temperatures thanks to warm sea breezes. In July and August, the maximum daily temperature averages 22°C, sometimes reaching up to 30°C. The highest temperature ever recorded is 34.4 °C on July 30, 2009. Snow falls on an average of eleven days a year, three of which are over 60 mm. Winters in Greater Vancouver are the fourth most mild in all of Canada, after nearby Victoria, Nanaimo and Duncan (all located on Vancouver Island). Temperatures in Vancouver drop below 0°C on average 46 days a year, and below -10°C on two days a year. On average 4.5 days a year the temperature remains below zero Celsius and during the day.

Population

Vancouver's smaller indigenous population is dominated by Anglo-Canadians. At the same time, the mild warm climate, an unusually pleasant combination of alpine and coastal landscapes, transportation, and comfortable living conditions attract an increasing flow of immigrants, primarily from Southeast Asia. There are significant Chinatowns in the city. And a new fashionable residential area that has emerged in the north, already in the mountains, is built up mostly in the Japanese and Chinese style, as many wealthy people from Hong Kong have settled here.

Economy

Vancouver is one of the largest industrial centers in the country. The city's port is Canada's largest and most diversified, with a trade turnover of over 75 billion Canadian dollars a year. Port operations add $10.5 billion to GDP and $22 billion in economic results. Vancouver is also home to the headquarters of logging and mining companies. In recent years, the city has become an increasingly important center for software development, biotechnology, and a vibrant film industry. Vancouver's picturesque location makes it one of the top destinations for tourism. Tourists visit the city's gardens, Stanley Park, Queen Elizabeth Park, VanDusen and the mountains, ocean, forests and parks surrounding the city. Each year, over a million people pass through Vancouver on cruise ships, often bound for Alaska.

Transport

Vancouver has a developed system land transport, which includes buses, trolleybuses, the West Coast Express suburban passenger rail line, SkyTrain (overground light rail) and SeaBus (passenger ferry, or "Sea Bus"). However, Vancouver still lags behind other Canadian cities in terms of public transport development. Most urban and suburban land transport is operated by a state-owned company)