Canada
Canada facts & history in brief
Victoria, capital of British Columbia, Canada,
lies along a picturesque harbour at the
southeastern tip of Vancouver Island,
overlooking the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
The city covers about 18 square kilometres and
about 400 square kilometres the metropolitan area.
In 1843 the Hudson's Bay Company set up a fort
and a trading post on the present city's site,
originally called Fort Camosun.
A few years later it was renamed Fort Victoria, in
honour of Queen Victoria.
In 1850, Fort Victoria became the capital of
Vancouver Island and in 1868 became the capital
of the colony of British Columbia, which was made
a province of Canada in 1871.
Victoria developed as a port and shipbuilding centre
during the world wars.
The city went through a large scale urban renewal
and rapid growth during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.
Despite the rapid growth and renewal the city still
retains much of its English character and charm.
A large portion of the population employed by the
Government, commercial, distribution, and
manufacturing industries.
The city also services the surrounding area's
logging, fishing, and agricultural operations.
Tourism, ship building and the repairs are also
major aspects of the city's economy.
Factories produce fabricated metal, processed
food and forest products.
Often called the "City of Gardens",
with large parks, a beautiful waterfront
and an interesting "old town" district.
More than 2 million tourists visit Victoria
annually.
Many retired people settle in
the area because its mild climate scenic
surroundings, its picturesque, narrow streets
and beautiful gardens.
A few of Victoria's many attractions are;
the Provincial Legislative Buildings, the
Royal British Columbia Museum, with natural
history exhibits, the Art Gallery of Greater
Victoria, the Maritime Museum of British
Columbia, Butchart Gardens, (About 20 km
northwest of the city), the Classic Car
Museum, and Thunderbird Park, which contains
a collection of Native American totem poles,
the University of Victoria, the Royal
Roads Military College, the Fort Rodd Hill
National Historic Park, encompassing coastal
fortifications and the
Dominion Astrophysical Observatory.
Population is around 100,000 in
the city and about 300,000 in the
metropolitan area.
We came over by bus, ferry and bus.
Quaint little place, very English, very quaint.
We had only time for a conducted tour
and a quick 'pedestrian encounter'.
I can tell you now, it all checked
out Ok.
You can click on these photos for an enlargement.
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Victoria B.C. |
Victoria B.C. |
Victoria B.C. |
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