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Interesting Facts
- Take a hike. Go fly a kite. Or ice skate, ski, take a helicopter tour, or see a lumberjack show. No matter what time of year it is, Grouse Mountain, a quick 15-minute drive from downtown Vancouver, has something fun to do. Take a trip to the top of the "Peak of Vancouver" in the Skyride, North America's largest aerial tramway system. At the summit, you'll also find restaurants, shops and a wildlife refuge and conservation center.
- What was that noise? Well, if it's 9pm in Vancouver, it was probably the Nine O'Clock Gun. Here's the story: A little over 100 years ago, an old British sea cannon was installed at Stanley Park. Every evening at 9pm the cannon was fired to remind local fishermen of fishing time limits. That purpose is obsolete now, of course, but Vancouver continues the tradition anyway, and you can set your watch by it!
- But wait, there's more! Stanley Park is home to innumerable gray squirrels, all descended from eight pairs donated by New York City in 1908. The park also boasts what National Geographic has deemed the largest red cedar tree in the world. It's about 30 meters around (almost 100 feet) and resides near the park's locally famous hollow tree.
- History break: The time is June, 1886; the place, the newly incorporated town of Vancouver. A minor brush fire on the outskirts of town gets out of control, and within 30 minutes, the entire city burns to the ground. Mayor and real-estate mogul M.A. McLean quickly sets about rebuilding, using more fire-resistant material. A good idea, as it turns out, because much of that construction has lasted to this day.
- Vancouver is for the birds. Well, culture vultures, anyway! It's nearly impossible to be bored in this city. In fact, it's often referred to as the "culture capital" of Canada. So what's on the calendar? You can take in the symphony, opera and ballet, or performances by any of several theater companies. Many performance venues also host musicians from all genres. In addition, you'll find a plethora of art galleries and museums, numerous local newspapers and magazines, and a full spectrum of special events throughout the year.
- Hold on to your hats, or should we say helmets? Vancouver is a sports lover's paradise. Starting with the first hockey team, the Vancouver Millionaires, residents have had a love affair with sports that's virtually unmatched. Big attendance-getters include trophy winners like the Canucks (National Hockey League), the Giants (Western Hockey League), the BC Lions (Canadian football), and the Whitecaps (North American Soccer League). You can also enjoy the Ravens (National Lacrosse League), the Canadians (part of the Oakland A's farm system), auto racing, or any of a number of amateur rugby clubs. If all this makes you want to go out and play, Vancouver has loads of participation sports, too – dodgeball leagues, scuba diving, rafting, fishing, golf, you name it. Better start getting in shape now....
- Water, water everywhere! Vancouver is most definitely a maritime city, surrounded on three sides by water: the Fraser River to the south, Burrard Inlet to the north, and English Bay to the west. The water is fairly chilly most of the year, but not more so than at 2:30pm on New Year's Day, when some 2000 hardy souls plunge into English Bay. Vancouver's Polar Bear Swim, started in 1920 by restaurateur Peter Pantages, is one of the oldest and largest in the world.
- Half of British Columbia's population, or about 2 million people, live in the greater Vancouver area. It's a diverse, accepting city where most people feel more than welcome. And although English and French are the official languages, don't be surprised if you hear Sikh, Thai, Italian, Cantonese, or even Russian, especially at one of the cultural and multicultural festivals that grace the city each year. Vancouver is also proud to support a huge Gay Pride celebration in August.
- History Break II: Many years ago, when Vancouver's first motorized ambulance hit the streets, the private company that owned it sent it out with novice drivers for a test run. Unfortunately, they didn't notice a tourist, until they ran over and killed him. Not to worry – today's emergency medical responders are much better trained and are quite skilled drivers!
- Vancouver is one award-winning city. "Condé Nast Traveler" magazine voted it a "Best City in the Americas," and the Economic Intelligence Unit (which ranks cities based on the level of hardship they pose to expatriates) calls it the best place in the world to live (tied with Melbourne, Australia). Vancouver has also been named by worldwide publications as the best place to shoot a movie, have a bachelor party, enjoy a winter holiday (or a summer vacation!), and go scuba diving. Mercer Human Resource Consulting rated Vancouver second in the world for quality of life. There's more, but we think you've got the picture!
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