British Columbia. Where is Columbia British?

Fantastic combination of rocky ocean coast, flowering vine valleys, centuries-old forests, clear lakes, rivers, mighty mountains and rumbling waterfalls ... Such is the western edge of Canada, a reserved corner of an untouched, primordial world - British Columbia.

History

The indigenous population in the county resided long before the colonization of North America, more than 11,500 years ago.

The study of these lands by Europeans began with the James Cook expedition in 1778, and in 1792 it was continued by his successor George Vancouver, in honor of which the largest island of the region and the largest megalopolis of the dominion were named. From this period, in these territories, called New Caledonia, a British protectorate was established, which did not have any formal organization. Administrative functions were performed by the subdivisions of the Hudson's Bay Company, which exclusively traded furs in this region.

Over time, there was a division of land: the United States was joined by several states in the southern edge of the Columbia River Basin , while the British part of the territory under this name, appropriated to the district by Queen Victoria herself, in 1871 became part of the Canadian Confederation. The real boom dominion experienced during the "gold rush", the construction of a transnational railway and subsequent mass migration to these lands during the revolutions and wars of the Asian and European population. Since then, the region has been steadily growing and developing. In terms of population, it ranks third in the country.

Cities of British Columbia

The largest city of the province and the second on the west coast is Vancouver. It is a conglomerate with 20 suburbs and a total of 2.3 million people. Rapid growth began with the construction of a transnational railway from the center of the country to Vancouver and the development of the port. Repeatedly megapolis became the "Best City of the Earth". Built in the mouth of the river. Fraser on the opposite shores of the Bay of Barrard. Therefore, many bridges connect the city in a single whole. Mountain ridges surround it from all sides. In 2010, the Winter Olympics took place in Vancouver, so you can not doubt as ski resorts of the city. The difference from the colonial capital of British Columbia - Victoria, in the multinationality and multiculturalism of Vancouver, where, in addition to immigrants from England, large Chinese and Japanese diasporas. In addition, it is a major center of scientific and research work. Here is the University of Simon Fraser, which is considered the leading university in Canada, and the University of British Columbia - one of the thirty best in the world.

The capital of the county is Victoria, located in the southern part of Vancouver Island and is the second largest metropolis in the province. The city itself is small - 80 000 people, but it includes 12 more municipalities in the neighborhood, and the population as a whole is 345 thousand inhabitants. It is considered according to the spirit "the most British" in Canada, since most of its inhabitants are retired British. Traditions of Great Britain are everywhere: in double-decker buses, typical London shops, pubs and cafes with a mandatory five-hour tea party.

In these two cities, about 60% of the population of the district live, more than one hundred thousand people - in the cities of Kelon and Abbotsford.

University of British Columbia in Vancouver

It has about 57,000 students from Canada and 149 countries. It has one of the best scientific, laboratory and research bases. In addition, the university has its own anthropological museum, training clinics, arts center and a concert hall. Particular pride is the library, whose fund is considered the second in Canada. The university employs more than 9,000 teachers, there are even Nobel laureates. It is considered one of the fastest growing universities in the world with excellent indicators of the effectiveness of scientific work.

Edge of the set of vertices

The largest mountain system (Rocky Mountains) of British Columbia is in the center of the whole region and stretched along the north-south. Most of the territory of the mountains is occupied by national forest lands and parks. Hiking, snowboarding, skiing, fishing and hunting and, of course, mountaineering - thanks to all this lovers of fresh air and extreme sports, the Rockies will seem a real paradise.

The highest peak (4671 m above sea level) in the province is located in the northwestern part of the region - the mountains of St. Elijah, and it is called Fairwater. This shore peak rises 20 km from the Pacific Ocean and is perfectly visible from the sea on a clear day. For that and was named by James Cook in 1778, Fairweather Mountain - the Mountain of good weather.

The coastal and Pacific ridges separate the coast from the mainland. Also they radically share the nature of these areas. Many smaller mountain systems, uplands and plateaus cover the entire territory of British Columbia, creating in its gorges and valleys a whole network of deep-water mountain rivers and lakes.

Life-giving sources

31 lakes and 32 rivers in its territory. Colombia British - a fantastic land of aquatic elements. Almost all rivers and lakes are home to salmon and trout. The main hydroarteria of the province is Fraser. This full-flowing river begins in the Rocky Mountains and, flowing along the plateau and canyon of the same name, absorbs many tributaries, simultaneously increasing the slopes of the coast to a height of 100 m and greatly accelerating. It flows into the Pacific Ocean, where the largest city of the region and the largest port on the west coast of North America - Vancouver - are built in the delta.

In the Rocky Mountains in the Valley of a thousand peaks is the source of a mountain river called Columbia. 40% of it flows through Canada. The most powerful current and the great slope of the river have their own specifics:

• The Columbia basin was constantly flooded and flooded.
• To protect against these natural disasters, several dams and dams have been erected on the river.
• "Steep temper" rivers are used in hydropower.
• This is a major shipping canal.

Near the Pacific Ocean

In the west, the province ends on the sea coast and closer to the north it borders on the US state of Alaska. All the coast is riddled with comfortable bays and fjords, for tens of kilometers stretching deep into the land. Thousands of islands are scattered here. The largest of them are Vancouver and Graham from the chain of Queen Charlotte Islands. A lot of tourists gather to admire one of the most delightful places in the world - Coastal ridges of the coast of British Columbia. Photos of the most picturesque corners of the Riviera are amazing.

The weather in coastal areas is affected by the warm Kuroshio current, making it soft and rainy. In a favorable climate, the lush taiga forests that cover the coastline are growing.

Mainland part of the district

In the north and east the province adjoins the Canadian districts (the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Alberta), and in the southern part it borders on the USA.

Mountain Range Coastal ridges cover the flow from the coast to the mainland of moist air masses from the Pacific Ocean. Therefore, further from the sea in the central part of the district are arid plateaus and deserts.

A pleasant, mild and warm climate formed in the valleys of the Fraser and Okanagan rivers, where they produce fine Canadian wine and cider.

The northern part of British Columbia is dominated by cold and poor mountainous areas. And only in the north-eastern part, descending below the valley, pleases the eye of the prairie.

The Holy Face of Canada

An invaluable feature of the province is that 95% of its lands are natural landscapes, and only 5% are arable lands. Three quarters of the region occupy mountains and elevations of more than 1000 meters, and 60% - forests. Here is preserved a pristine and unique nature with natural habitats of rare animals, birds and fish. That is why the eighth part of the entire territory that occupies Colombia British is the reserves and protected natural areas. Among them, 14 national parks (including Yoho, Mount Revelstok, Glacier, Kootenay and others) and about 430 provincial and regional.

Here you will find unique places and landscapes:

• Sandy deserts.
• Steep canyons.
• Misty waterfalls.
• Severe volcanoes.
• Hot healing springs.
• Fantastic caves.
• Glittering glaciers.
• Stunning rivers and lakes.
• Incredible northern and bright southern islands.
• Picturesque bays and coves.

Special places

Fans of unusual leisure and vivid impressions in the province of Columbia British can visit:

• Bear's ranch.
• The Salmon Museum.
• Reservation of indigenous peoples.
• Botanical Garden, Glendale, Butterfly and Exotic Animals Garden in Victoria.
• Park of birds of prey.
• The cathedral grove of ancient pseudotours (up to 800 years old, up to 75 m high, with a barrel in diameter up to 9 m).
• Diving, ski resorts, kayaking and canoeing, fishing, etc.
• Flocks of whales can be seen off the coast of Vancouver Island in March.
• You can visit the farm caribou (reindeer).
• Helicopter and ferry trips.
• Ancient railways.
• Travels of the times of the "gold rush."
• Ghost town Three Valley Gap.
• Powerful dams and lighthouses.
• Historical reserves.

So if you ever want to see almost everything that nature is rich in and feel the color of North America, visit such a wonderful place as British Columbia (Canada).