History of Vancouver, BC

 History of Vancouver, BC

Vancouver, British Columbia is a coastal city located in the Lower Mainland region of southwestern British Columbia. The city was incorporated on April 6, 1886, and is named after Captain George Vancouver, who explored the area in 1792. The NHL's Vancouver Canucks and MLS's Vancouver Whitecaps FC call Vancouver home. The 2010 Winter Olympics and 2010 Winter Paralympics were held in Vancouver and nearby Whistler, a resort community 125 km (78 mi) north of the city.

Archaeological records indicate that Aboriginal people were living in the Vancouver area from 8,000 to 10,000 years ago. The city is located in the traditional territories of the Squamish, Musqueam, and Tseil-Waututh (Burrard) Nations. The first Europeans to explore Vancouver was the Spanish expedition of 1791, led by Captain George Vancouver.

Vancouver's economy is highly diversified, with an emphasis on natural resources, commerce, tourism, and aerospace. The Port of Vancouver is North America's fourth largest, and the city is home to many major Canadian and international corporations. Vancouver is consistently ranked as one of the world's most livable cities. In 2014, it was ranked seventh on The Economist Intelligence Unit's list of the world's most liveable cities, and in 2016 it was ranked third on their list of Canada's most liveable cities.

Vancouver has a population of over 630,000 people and is the most populous city in British Columbia. The Greater Vancouver area, which includes the cities of Burnaby, New Westminster, and Surrey, has a population of over 2.4 million people. Vancouver is a diverse and multicultural city, with 52% of the population having a first language other than English.

The earliest known settlement in the Lower Mainland was at Fort Langley, founded by the Hudson's Bay Company in 1827 as a fur-trading post. The Fort was located where the Fraser River meets the Strait of Georgia. In 1866, Colonel Richard Moody, Commander of British Forces in North America during the Crimean War, selected the site for the establishment of the Colony of British Columbia's new capital. He chose a location on the Fraser River that would facilitate trade with the Orient and was less vulnerable to attack than Fort Vancouver, which was located on the American side of the border.

The new capital was named "New Westminster" after Queen Victoria's favourite city in England. The site of the future city was surveyed in 1859 by Royal Engineers, Camped near what is now Queensborough Landing. Moody selected the name "Queenborough" in honour of Her Majesty, but the name was rejected by the Colonial Office in London. In 1860, work began to construct a road from Langley Meadows to Moody's Point (now Port Moody), and a steam ferry service was established between Queensborough and New Westminster.

In 1863, work began on constructing a railway from Snake River Landing (now North Bend) to Yale, and in 1864, the first section of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) was completed from Port Moody to Eagle Pass. The CPR reached New Westminster in 1887, and Vancouver in 1888.

The city continued to grow following the completion of the CPR, with the establishment of banks, churches, newspapers, and hotels. In 1886, Vancouver was incorporated as a city, with John Hendry as its first mayor.

The early 1900s saw a period of rapid growth for Vancouver, as huge waves of immigrants arrived from all over the world. This influx of new residents led to the construction of many new homes and businesses, and the city's population tripled between 1901 and 1911.

During the First World War, Vancouver became a major staging point for Canadian troops headed to Europe. Tens of thousands of soldiers passed through the city on their way to the battlefields, and many of them never returned home.

After the war, Vancouver experienced another period of rapid growth, fuelled by immigration and investment. The city's population doubled between 1921 and 1931, and many new neighbourhoods were created during this time.

The Second World War had a significant impact on Vancouver, as the city once again became a staging point for troops heading overseas. More than half a million men and women passed through Vancouver on their way to fight in the war, and many of them never returned home.

In the years after the war, Vancouver continued to grow and prosper. The city's population doubled again between 1951 and 1971, and many new neighbourhoods were created during this time.

Today, Vancouver is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city with a diverse population of over 630,000 people. It is home to a thriving arts and culture scene, and is one of Canada's most livable cities. In 2014, it was ranked seventh on The Economist Intelligence Unit's list of the world's most liveable cities, and in 2016 it was ranked third on their list of Canada's most liveable cities.

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