About Vancouver

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).

Current weather

Vancouver population, employment and transportation statistics

Learn about Vancouver's diverse neighbourhoods

Metro Vancouver

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.

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Visit The Vancouver Economic Development Commission

Visit the Port of Vancouver

Vancouver named North America's top destination for international meetings

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.

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Video View video: History of Vancouver (wmv)

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.

City of Vancouver mission, values and objectives

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Awards

The City of Vancouver and its staff have won numerous awards for its ingenuity and leadership in various programs and activities.

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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.

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