Victoria, British Columbia has plenty to offer its visitors. Located on the Island of Vancouver just off the coat of British Columbia, Canada. Residents as well as tourist love the mixture of stylish city life with the areas beautiful landscape.
The island does have other significant cities, such as Port Alberni, Nanaimo, and Parksville, but Victoria is by far the largest. Of the island’s 700,000 inhabitants, almost half live in Victoria or its surrounding area, known as Greater Victoria.
Vancouver Island, takes its name from Queen Victoria during the late 19th century , the area was discovered by a British Explorer in the 1790′s who was making a map of the region. As one of the oldest Canadian Cities, visitors will find a city alive with history. Places such as the Empress Hotel or the British Columbia Parliament Buildings show off some of the original architecture as visitors walk the streets Victoria.
Today, Victoria is a bustling city and boasts thriving shopping areas and business districts. IT companies have been drawn to the city and more than 800 technology businesses are based there. As a result, tourists and residents alike may make use of the free WiFi in Victoria, and the rest of the island is mostly covered too. Other key industries in Victoria, and the island, include fishing and logging.
Victoria has the mildest temperatures in the whole of Canada. On average, Victoria never dips below freezing; the thermometer hovers just above 0C in the winter. In summer, the climate is dry and sunny, and in the hottest months of July and August, temperatures tend to be in the balmy range of about 28C to 33C. After Victoria, the nearby cities of Nanaimo and Duncan are also in the top three mildest Canadian climates.
Many cruise ships make port at Ogden Point, helping the area swell to over 3.5 million visitors a year and pumping more than a billion dollars into the local economy. Tourist and visitors will find the area is abundant in possibilities for day trips as well as nightlife. Theaters, nightclubs and restaurants located in the city provide relaxation after spending the day seeing the city and surrounding areas. Festivals such as Canada Day fireworks display and the Symphony Splash are another draw to the city.
Tourists may also enjoy visiting the city’s Beacon Hill Park, which boasts 185 acres of green space, including playing fields, gardens, wild peacocks and even a petting zoo for children. Outdoor events and concerts are often hosted in the park, such as the Luminara Community Lantern Festival.
A visit to the island would not be complete without seeing the islands rain forest. For hikers and skiers, there is nearby North Shore mountains. Water lovers will find many picture perfect beaches, ideal for walking, sun worshiping, scuba diving or maybe even whale watching. A perfect day trip is a quick jaunt across the Strait of Georgia and the nearby city of Vancouver. What ever your choices, Victoria makes for a great base on your next vacation.
