The West Coast
Province
- British Columbia
Three major mountain ranges in BC:
- Rocky Mountains
- Columbia Mountains
- Coast Mountains
The People
First Nations lived here for thousands of years prior to the coming of Europeans. Evolved many customs, traditions, dialects. Developed also a unique form of art: totem poles. First Nations art from BC typically uses natural subjects, such as salmon, bears, ravens, eagles, whales, and the final pieces are highly stylized and much prized around the world.
Europeans first settled in BC in the early 1800s, following the fur trade west.
In the late 1800s, when the railroad went through, large number of Chinese railway workers also settled here, creating the largest Asian population in Canada. 1/3 of British Columbians are of Chinese descent.
The Economy
Rich natural resources have always been important to the BC economy.
forestry
- lumber
- newsprint
- pulp & paper products
Mining is also important.
Tourists come to be overawed by the spectacular scenery and also to fish, hunt, hike, camp and ski.
British Columbia is Canada's second largest source of hydroelectric power. We get a lot of rain rushing down off the mountainsides.
Fishing still a valuable industry on the coast, despite the "downturn in the salmon fishery", and the Okanagan Valley, between the Coast and the Rocky mountain ranges, is known for fruit orchards and wine vinyards.
Vancouver is the third largest city in Canada, and provides important shipping and air links to other countries across the Pacific Ocean. The second largest Chinese community in North America lives in Vancouver.
Population: 4.4 million
pp 25-26