Welcome to the City of Vancouver - Host City of the 2010 Winter Games
Bordered by the Coast Mountain Range and the Pacific Ocean, Vancouver is recognized as one of the world's most liveable cities.
Archaeological evidence shows that the Coast Salish people had settled the Vancouver area by 500 BC.
The City of Vancouver is renowned for its innovative programs in the areas of sustainability, accessibility and inclusivity.
Find out more about the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. If you are planning on visiting Vancouver, please view our visitors page.
View maps, photos and videos of Vancouver
View video: Vancouver in motion (wmv)
Facts about Vancouver
Population/ Climate l Business/ Economy l History l City Government l Awards l Parks
Population/ Climate
Vancouver is the eighth largest city in Canada with a population of 578,000 (2006 census) and has one of the mildest climates in Canada with temperatures averaging around 3 degrees celsius in January and 18 degrees celsius in July. It covers 114.7 sq km (44.3 sq miles), and is part of Metro Vancouver, the third largest metropolitan area in Canada, with a population of 2.1 million (2006 census).
[top]
Business/ Economy
Vancouver has Canada's largest and most diversified port, trading $75 billion in goods annually. It is home to a variety of different industries, including the mining, forest, biotech, film and software industries.
[top]
History
Archaeological evidence shows that the Coast Salish people had settled the Vancouver area by 500 BC. In the 1870s, Vancouver was founded as a sawmill settlement called Granville. And in 1886, the city was incorporated and renamed Vancouver after Captain George Vancouver, a British naval captain who explored the area in 1792.
[top]
City Government
The City of Vancouver is governed by Mayor Gregor Robertson and 10 Councillors, all who serve a three-year term. In the province of British Columbia, the City of Vancouver is governed by a provincial statute called the Vancouver Charter
Vancouver's sister cities include Los Angeles, Guangzhou, Yokohama, Edinburgh and Odessa
[top]
Awards
The City of Vancouver and its staff have won numerous awards for its ingenuity and leadership in various programs and activities.
[top]
Parks
Vancouver has more than 200 diverse parks, but Vancouver's most famous park is Stanley Park. One of the largest urban parks in the world, with 150 year old forest, 8.85 km of seawall, and many popular attractions.
[top]