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{{otheruses}}
{{British_Columbia_municipality_infobox
|native_name= Vancouver
|official_name= Vancouver
|Motto=By Land, Air and Sea We Prosper.
|image_photo= Vancouver ib.jpg
|photo_caption= Downtown Vancouver as seen from Fairview Slopes north across ].
|image_flag= Flag of Vancouver (Canada).svg
|flag_caption= Flag of Vancouver
|image_logo= Vancouvercoa.jpg
|logo_caption= Coat of Arms of Vancouver
|image_map= Vancouver Location.png
|year= 1886
|area_total= 114.67
|metro_area_total= 2,878.52
|population_total= 587,891 (2006 est.)
|population_rank= ]
|metro_population_total= 2,180,737 (2006 est.)
|metro_population_rank= ]
|population_density= 5252/km²
|location= 49°16' N 123°7' W
|altitude= Sea level to 167
|province_name= British Columbia
|RD= ]
|regional_district= ]
|mp_names= ], ], ], ], ]
|mla_names= ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ]
|mayor_name= ]
|manager_name= Judy Rogers
|governing_body= ]
|time_zone= Pacific (UTC-8)
|postal_code= V5K to V6Z
|area_code= ]
|footnotes=Official website:
}}'''Vancouver''' (]: {{IPA|}}) is a city in southwestern ], ]. The city is named after Captain ], an ] explorer. A resident of Vancouver is called a "Vancouverite". Vancouver is part of the ] ]. With a population of 2,180,737 (2006 estimate),<ref name="gvrdpop">{{cite web| title= GVRD Population Estimates 1996 - 2006 |url=http://www.gvrd.bc.ca/growth/keyfacts/popest.htm |publisher=Greater Vancouver Regional District |accessdate=2007-01-28}}</ref> it is the largest metropolitan area in western Canada and the ] in the country.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www40.statcan.ca/l01/cst01/demo05a.htm |title=Population of census metropolitan areas (2001 Census boundaries) |publisher=Statistics Canada |accessdate=2006-09-15}}</ref> The population of Vancouver proper is 587,891.<ref name="gvrdpop"/> Vancouver has a very ethnically diverse population: more than half of its residents have a ] other than English.<ref>{{cite web| title= City Facts 2004|url=http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/commsvcs/cityplans/CityFacts04.pdf |publisher=City of Vancouver|accessdate=2006-11-11}}</ref> The city is growing rapidly, and the metropolitan population is projected to reach 2.6&nbsp;million by 2020.<ref>
{{cite web | title = Urban Statistics| publisher = City Mayors| url = http://www.citymayors.com/statistics/urban_2020_2.html Urban Statistics - 2020 projection| accessdate=2007-01-17}}</ref>

Vancouver is located between the ] and the ]. Its economy has traditionally relied on British Columbia's resource sectors: ], ], ] and ]. It was first settled in the 1860s as a result of immigration caused by the ], and developed rapidly from a small lumber mill town into a metropolitan centre following the arrival of the transcontinental railway in 1887. The ] became internationally significant after the completion of the ] and reduced freight rates in the 1920s made it viable to ship export-bound prairie grain west through Vancouver.<ref>{{cite journal| last = Stevens| first = Leah| title = Rise of the Port of Vancouver, British Columbia| journal = Economic Geography| volume = 12| issue = 1| pages = 61-70| publisher = Clark University| date = January 1936| url = http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0013-0095%28193601%2912%3A1%3C61%3AROTPOV%3E2.0.CO%3B2-R| doi= 10.2307/140264 |accessdate=2007-01-17}}</ref> It has since become the busiest seaport in Canada and exports more cargo than any other port in North America.<ref>{{cite web| title = Port Facts| publisher = Port of Vancouver| url = http://www.portvancouver.com/media/port_facts.html| accessdate =2007-01-17}}</ref> The economy of Vancouver has become more diverse over time, however. Vancouver has a growing tourism industry, for example, and has become the third-largest film production centre in ], after ] and ], earning it the nickname ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tourismvancouver.com/pdf/research/monthly_overnight_visitors_1994_2005.pdf|title=Overnight visitors to Greater Vancouver by volume, monthly and annual basis|publisher=Vancouver Convention and Visitors Bureau|accessdate=2006-11-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.vancouvereconomic.com/key_sectors/default.htm |title=Key Sectors |publisher=Vancouver Economic Development Commission |accessdate=2006-11-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Industry Profile|url=http://www.bcfilmcommission.com/about_us/industry_profile.htm|publisher=BC Film Commission|accessdate=2006-12-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Vancouver Film Industry|url=http://www.vancouver.com/movies/hollywood_north/vancouver_film_industry_overview/index.htm|publisher=Canada.com|accessdate=2006-12-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite book| last = Gasher | first = Mike | title = Hollywood North: The Feature Film Industry in British Columbia|publisher = University of British Columbia Press | date = November 2002 | location = Vancouver | id = ISBN 077-4809-67-1}}</ref>

Vancouver is consistently ranked one of the three most livable cities in the world.<ref>{{cite news | title = Vancouver and Melbourne top city league| publisher = BBC News| date = 4 October 2002 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/2299119.stm | accessdate =2006-11-14 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = Vancouver is 'best place to live' | publisher = BBC News | date = 4 October 2005| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4306936.stm | accessdate =2007-01-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = Vancouver world's second-best place to live: survey| publisher = CBC News| date = 3 March 2003| url = http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2003/03/03/cities030303 | accessdate =2007-01-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title = Readers Choice Awards 2005|publisher = Condé Nast Traveler |url=http://www.concierge.com/bestof/readerschoice/top_cities/topcities_americas | accessdate =2006-11-23}}</ref> In 2006, the city was ranked the 56th most expensive city to live in among 144 major cities in the world and the second most expensive in Canada (after ]).<ref>{{cite news|first=Eric|last=Beauchesne|title=Toronto pegged as priciest place to live in Canada|publisher=CanWest News Service|date=24 June 2006|url=http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=245b1dc8-1b43-46cb-bd84-6e78ab8a5afb&k=54140|accessdate=2006-11-23}}</ref>

The ] will be held in Vancouver and nearby ].<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.olympic.org/uk/games/vancouver/election_uk.asp|title=Vancouver 2010 Election|publisher=International Olympic Committee|accessdate=2007-01-17}}</ref><ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.winter2010.com/|title=Vancouver 2010|publisher=Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games|accessdate=2007-01-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=|title=Vancouver to host 2010 Winter Olympics||publisher=BBC|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/sport/newsid_3039000/3039690.stm|date=2003-07-18|accessdate=2007-01-17}}</ref>

== Origins of the city ==
{{Main|History of Vancouver}}

Archaeological records indicate that the presence of ] in the Vancouver area dates back 4,500-9,000 years.<ref>{{cite web | last = Thom| first = Brian|year = 1996| url = http://home.istar.ca/~bthom/LONGTERM-FIN.htm | title = Stó:lo Culture - Ideas of Prehistory and Changing Cultural Relationships to the Land and Environment| accessdate =2006-11-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite book| last = Davis| first = Chuck | coauthors = Roy Carlson | title = Greater Vancouver Book: An Urban Encyclopaedia | publisher = Linkman Press| date = 1997|location = Surrey, BC| pages = 31| url = http://www.discovervancouver.com/GVB/vancouver-archaeology.asp| id = ISBN 978-1896846002}}</ref> The coastline of present day ] was first explored in 1791 by José María Narváez of ], followed by ], who also explored the inner harbour of ] in 1792 and gave various places ] names.<ref>{{cite book| last = Davis| first = Chuck | coauthors = W. Kaye Lamb | title = Greater Vancouver Book: An Urban Encyclopaedia | publisher = Linkman Press| date = 1997 | location = Surrey, BC| pages = 34-36| url = http://www.discovervancouver.com/GVB/captain-george-vancouver.asp | id = ISBN 978-1896846002}}</ref>

]

The explorer and ] trader ] and his crew were the first Europeans known to have set foot on the site of the present-day city. In 1808, they descended the ] perhaps as far as Point Grey, near the ].<ref>{{cite web| title = History of City of Vancouver| publisher = Caroun.com| url = http://www.caroun.com/Countries/America/Canada/Vancouver/2-VancouverHistory.html | accessdate =2007-01-17}}</ref>

The ] of brought 25,000 men, mainly from ], to the mouth of the Fraser River and what would become Vancouver.<ref name="Vancouver's past">{{cite book| last = Hull| first = Raymond| title = Vancouver's Past| publisher = University of Washington Press| date = 1974| location = Seattle|coauthors=Soules, Gordon, Soules, Christine| id = ISBN 978-0295953649}}
</ref> The first European settlement was established in 1862 at McLeery's Farm on the Fraser River, just east of the ancient village of ] in what is now ]. A sawmill established at Moodyville (now the ]) in 1863, began the city's long relationship with lumbering, and was quickly followed by mills on the south shore of the inlet owned by Captain Edward Stamp. Stamp, who had begun lumbering in the ] area, first attempted to run a mill at ], but difficult currents and reefs forced the relocation of the operation to a point near the foot of Gore Street, known as ]. The mill formed the nucleus around which Vancouver formed. The mill's central role in the city waned after the arrival of the ] (CPR) in the 1880s, but it nonetheless remained important to the local economy until it closed in the 1920s.<ref name="GVB">{{cite book | last = Davis| first = Chuck| title = The Greater Vancouver Book: An Urban Encyclopaedia | publisher = Linkman Press| date = 1997| location = Surrey, British Columbia | pages = 39-47| url = http://www.discovervancouver.com/gvb/history-of-vancouver.asp|accessdate =|id = ISBN 978-1896846002}}</ref>
Vancouver is among British Columbia's youngest cities.<ref name="Horizons">{{cite book | last = Cranny| first = Michael| coauthors = Jarvis, Moles, Seney| title = Horizons: Canada Moves West| publisher = Prentice Hall Ginn Canada| date = 1999| location = Scarborough, ON| id = ISBN 9780130123671}}</ref> The settlement of ] grew up quickly around the original makeshift tavern established by “Gassy” ] in 1867 on the edge of the Hastings Mill property.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gastown.org - History|url=http://www.gastown.org/history/index.html|accessdate=2006-10-05}}</ref><ref name="Horizons"/> In 1870, the colonial government surveyed the settlement and laid out a townsite, renamed “Granville,” in honour of the then British ], ]. This site, with its natural harbour, was eventually selected as the terminus for the Canadian Pacific Railway to the disappointment of ], ] and ], all of which had vied to be the railhead. The building of the railway was among the preconditions for British Columbia joining ] in 1871.

The City of Vancouver was incorporated on ], ], the same year that the first transcontinental train arrived. The name, honouring George Vancouver, was chosen by CPR president ], who arrived in ] to establish the CPR terminus recommended by ].<ref name="Horizons"/> A massive "slash burn" (clearing fire) broke out on ], ], razing the entire city. It was quickly rebuilt, and the Vancouver Fire Department was established that same year.<ref name="GVB"/> From a settlement of 1,000 people in 1881, Vancouver's population grew to over 20,000 by the turn of the century and 100,000 by 1911.<ref>{{cite book| last = Davis| first = Chuck | coauthors = Richard von Kleist | title = Greater Vancouver Book: An Urban Encyclopaedia | publisher = Linkman Press| date = 1997 | location = Surrey, BC| pages = 780 | id = ISBN 978-1896846002}}</ref>

During the 1898 ], Vancouver merchants sold a great deal of equipment to prospectors.<ref name="Vancouver's past"/> One of those merchants, Charles Woodward, had opened the first ] store at what is now Georgia and Main Streets in 1892 and, along with ] and the ] department stores, formed the dominant core of the city's retail sector for decades.<ref>{{cite web | title = Our History: Acquisitions, RETAIL, Woodward's Stores Limited| publisher = Hudson's Bay Company| url = http://www.hbc.com/hbcheritage/history/acquisitions/retail/woodwards.asp| accessdate =2007-01-23}}</ref>

The economy of early Vancouver was dominated by large companies such as the CPR, which had the capital needed for the rapid development of the new city. Some manufacturing did develop, but the resource sector was the backbone of Vancouver's economy, initially with logging, and later with exports moved through the ], where commercial traffic constituted the largest economic sector in Vancouver by the 1930s.<ref>{{cite journal| last = McCandless | first = R. C.| title = Vancouver’s ‘Red Menace’ of 1935: The Waterfront Situation| journal = BC Studies | issue = 22| pages = 68| date = 1974 }}</ref>
]
The economic dominance of big business was accompanied by an often militant labour movement. The first major sympathy strike was in 1903 when railway employees struck against the CPR for union recognition. Labour leader Frank Rogers was killed while picketing at the docks by CPR police during that strike, becoming the British Columbia movement's first martyr.<ref>{{cite book| last = Phillips| first = Paul A.| title = No Power Greater: A Century of Labour in British Columbia| publisher = BC Federation of Labour/Boag Foundation| date = 1967| location = Vancouver| pages = 39-41 }}</ref> Canada's first general strike occurred following the death of another labour leader, ], in 1918, at the ] coal mines on ].<ref>{{cite book| last = Phillips| first = Paul A.| title = No Power Greater: A Century of Labour in British Columbia| publisher = BC Federation of Labour/Boag Foundation| date = 1967| location = Vancouver| pages = 71-74 }}</ref> A lull in industrial tensions through the later 1920s came to an abrupt end with the depression. Most of the 1930s strikes were led by ] organizers.<ref>{{cite journal| last = Manley| first = John | title = Canadian Communists, Revolutionary Unionism, and the ‘Third Period’: The Workers’ Unity League,| journal = Journal of the Canadian Historical Association, New Series| volume = 5| pages = 167-194| date = 1994| url = http://www.erudit.org/revue/jcha/1994/v5/n1/031078ar.pdf | accessdate =}}</ref> That strike wave peaked in 1935 when unemployed men flooded the city to protest conditions in the relief camps run by the military in remote areas throughout the province. After two tense months of daily and disruptive protesting, the ] decided to take their grievances to the federal government and embarked on the ].<ref>{{cite book| last = Brown| first = Lorne| title = When Freedom was Lost: The Unemployed, the Agitator, and the State| publisher = Black Rose Books| date = 1987| location = Montreal| id = ISBN 978-0920057773}}</ref>

Other social movements, such as the ], moral reform, and ]s were also influential in Vancouver's development. ], a Vancouver ] and ], became the first woman elected to a provincial legislature in Canada in 1918.<ref>{{cite book| last = Robin| first = Martin| title = The Rush for Spoils: The Company Province,| publisher = McClelland and Stewart| date = 1972| location = Toronto| pages = 172| id = ISBN 0771076754}}</ref> Alcohol prohibition began in the ] and lasted until 1921, when the provincial government established its control over alcohol sales, which still persists today.<ref>{{cite book| last = Robin| first = Martin| title = The Rush for Spoils: The Company Province,| publisher = McClelland and Stewart| date = 1972| location = Toronto| pages = 187-188| id = ISBN 0771076754}}</ref> Canada's first drug law came about following an inquiry conducted by the federal minister of labour and future prime minister, ]. King was sent to investigate damages claims resulting from a riot when the ] led a rampage through ] and ]. Two of the claimants were opium manufacturers, and after further investigation, King found that white women were reportedly frequenting opium dens as well as Chinese men. A federal law banning the manufacture, sale, and importation of opium for non-medicinal purposes was soon passed based on these revelations.<ref>{{cite paper| author =Catherine Carstairs|title = ‘Hop Heads’ and ‘Hypes’:Drug Use, Regulation and Resistance in Canada, | publisher = University of Toronto | date = 2000| url =http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk2/ftp03/NQ53757.pdf| format = {{PDFlink|25.4MB}}| accessdate =}}</ref>

Amalgamation with Point Grey and South Vancouver gave the city its final contours not long before taking its place as the third largest metropolis in the country. As of ], ], the population of the enlarged Vancouver was 228,193 and it filled the entire peninsula between the ] and the ].<ref>{{cite book| last = Francis| first = Daniel| title = L.D.:Mayor Louis Taylor and the Rise of Vancouver| publisher = Arsenal Pulp Press| date = 2004| location = Vancouver| pages = 135| id = ISBN 1-55152-156-3}}</ref>

==Geography==
{{see|Bodies of water in Vancouver}}{{see|Climate of Vancouver}}
The original vegetation of most of Vancouver and its suburbs was dense ], consisting of ]s with scattered pockets of ] and ], as well as large areas of ]land (even in upland areas, due to poor drainage).<ref>{{cite web| title= Stanley Park, Vancouver Parks Board, 2006| url=http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/Parks/parks/stanley/|publisher=City of Vancouver |accessdate=2006-11-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title= Water Conservation Landscaping| url=https://vancouver.ca/engsvcs/watersewers/water/conservation/landscaping.htm |publisher=City of Vancouver, Engineering Services |accessdate=2006-11-08}}</ref> ]The conifers were a typical coastal British Columbia mix of ], ], ], ], and ] and are thought to have been the greatest concentration of the largest of these trees on the entire ]. Only in ]'s ] did the trees rival those of Burrard Inlet and English Bay in size. The largest trees in Vancouver's old-growth forest were in the ] area, where the first logging occurred, and on the south slopes of ] and ], especially around ]. The forest in Stanley Park is mostly ] and evidence of old-fashioned logging techniques such as ] notches can still be seen there.

A diverse collection of plants and trees were imported from other parts of the continent and from points across the ], and can be found growing throughout Vancouver and the ]. Various species of palm trees have proven hardy in this climate and are a common sight, as are large numbers of other exotic trees such as the ], the ], and various flowering exotics such as ], ], and ]. Many rhododendrons have grown to immense sizes, as have other species imported from harsher climates in Eastern Canada or Europe. The native ] can also attain a tremendous size. Many streets in the city are lined with flowering varieties of ] trees that were donated by ], starting in the 1930s.<ref>{{cite web|title=A Short History of Our Trees|url=http://www.vancouvercherryblossomfestival.com/vcbf/history|publisher=Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival|accessdate=2006-11-11}}</ref> Certain areas of ] that have the right soil requirements are home to the ] tree.

]
Vancouver has an area of 114&nbsp;km² (44&nbsp;sq miles), including both flat and hilly ground. Vancouver is adjacent to the ], a body of ] that is shielded from the ] by ]. It is in the Pacific ] (UTC-8) and the Pacific Maritime Ecozone.<ref>{{cite web| title = Pacific Maritime Ecozone| publisher = Environment Canada| url = http://www.ec.gc.ca/soer-ree/English/Framework/NarDesc/pacmar_e.cfm Pacific Maritime Ecozone| accessdate =2006-11-14}}</ref> The city itself forms part of the ], lying between ] to the north and the ] to the south. Vancouver is not on nearby ]. However, both the island and the city (as well as ]) are named after ] Captain ].

Vancouver is renowned for its scenery and has one of the largest urban parks in North America, ].<ref>{{cite web|title=World66 - Vancouver Travel Guide|url=http://www.world66.com/northamerica/canada/britishcolumbia/vancouver|publisher=World 66|accessdate=2006-10-18}}</ref> The ] dominate the cityscape and on a clear day scenic vistas include the snow-capped volcano ] in the State of ] to the southeast, ] across the Strait of Georgia to the west and southwest, and the ] to the northwest. <ref name="aboutvancouver">{{cite web | title = About Vancouver| publisher = City of Vancouver| url = http://vancouver.ca/aboutvan.htm#history| accessdate =2007-01-17}}</ref>

] in ]]]

Vancouver's climate is unusually temperate by Canadian standards; its winters are the fourth warmest of Canadian cities monitored by ] after nearby ], ], and ], all of which are on Vancouver Island.<ref>{{cite web| title = Weather Winners &mdash; Mildest Winters| publisher = Environment Canada| url = http://www.on.ec.gc.ca/weather/winners/element.cfm?lang=e | accessdate =2007-01-23}}</ref> Vancouver has daily minimum temperatures falling below 0°C (32°F) on an average of 46 days per year and below -10°C (14°F) on only two days per year. The average annual precipitation is about 1,219 mm (48 in), though this varies dramatically throughout the city due to the topography.<ref name="aboutvancouver" /> Summer months are quite sunny with moderate temperatures. The daily maximum averages 22°C (72°F) in July and August, although temperatures sometimes rise above 26°C (78°F).<ref>{{cite web|title=British Columbia - Weather and Climate|url=http://www.britishcolumbia.com/information/details.asp?id=16|accessdate=2006-10-08}}</ref> The summer months are often very dry, resulting in moderate drought conditions a few months of the year. In contrast, more than half of all winter days receive measureable precipitation. On average, snow falls on only eleven days per year, with only three days receiving six or more centimetres.

The ] in the city has been deteriorating for several decades because of the increasing number of cars in the area.<ref>{{cite web| title = Fraser Valley Smog: An indicator of potential air quality health risk, What is Happening?| publisher = Environment Canada| url = http://www.ecoinfo.org/env_ind/region/smog/smog_e.cfm | accessdate =2006-11-23 }}</ref> ] can be seen year round. The number of cars is growing at almost twice the rate of the human population, resulting in increased congestion and pollution.<ref>{{cite web|last = Dauncey|first = Guy| title = Car Sharing in Vancouver| publisher = Sustainable Communities Consultancy| date = May 2004| url = http://www.earthfuture.com/community/carsharevancouver.asp| accessdate =2007-01-23}}</ref> Some actions have be taken by various levels of government to limit the problem, such as reducing automobile emissions by ]. Air quality in the Fraser Valley often suffers as Vancouver's pollution is blown in that direction and "boxed in" by the mountains.

== Demographics ==
].]]

{{Main|Demographics of Vancouver}}

City planners in the late 1950s and 1960s deliberately encouraged the development of high-rise residential towers in Vancouver's ] of downtown, resulting in a compact urban core amenable to public transit, cycling, and pedestrian traffic. Vancouver's population density on the downtown peninsula is 121 people per hectare (or 49 people per acre ).<ref>{{cite web | year = 2003 | url = http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/commsvcs/cityplans/CityFacts04.pdf | title = City facts 2004 | format = {{PDFlink|14.0KB}} | publisher = City of Vancouver | accessdate =}}</ref> The city continues to pursue policies intended to increase density as an alternative to ], such as Mayor ]'s EcoDensity &mdash; an initiative to create quality and high density areas in the city, while making property ownership more economical. The plan also calls for the increased construction of community centres, parks, and cultural facilities.<ref>{{cite web| title=Vancouver EcoDensity Initiative|url=http://www.mayorsamsullivan.ca/ecodensity/| publisher = Sam Sullivan|accessdate=2006-08-11}}</ref>
]
Vancouver has been called a "city of neighbourhoods," each with a distinct character and ethnic mix.<ref>{{cite paper| author = Thomas R. Berger| title = A City of Neighbourhoods: Report of the 2004 Vancouver Electoral Reform Commission| publisher = City of Vancouver| date = 8 June 2004| url = http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/erc/pdf/verc_report.pdf| format = ]| accessdate =}}</ref> People of British origin were historically the largest ethnic group in the city, and notably the majority of Vancouverites of British ancestry have direct family links to the British Isles rather than to other parts of Canada, and elements of British society and culture are highly visible in some areas, particularly South Granville <!--whatever the city's new name for it is; Granville from 6th to 16th--> and Kerrisdale. The ] are by far the largest visible ethnic group in the city, and Vancouver has one of the most diverse Chinese-speaking communities, with several ]s being represented.<ref>{{cite web|title=Visible minorities (2001 census)|url=http://www40.statcan.ca/l01/cst01/demo53e.htm|publisher=Statistics Canada|accessdate=2006-10-19}}</ref><ref name="GVB"/> There are also many monocultural neighbourhoods, such as the ], ] (roughly synonymous with Commercial Drive but also including the Nanaimo and Hastings area), ], and ]. Bilingual street signs can be seen in various neighbourhoods, including Chinatown and the Punjabi Market.

Many immigrants from ] made Vancouver their home following the ] from the ] to ]. This continued a tradition of immigration from around the world that had already established Vancouver as the second most popular destination for immigrants in Canada (after ]).<ref>{{cite web| title = Canada's ethnocultural portrait: Canada| publisher = Statistics Canada| date =2001| url = http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census01/products/analytic/companion/etoimm/canada.cfm | accessdate =2007-01-28}}
</ref> Other significant Asian ethnic groups in Vancouver are ]ns (mostly ], usually referred to as ]s), ], ], ], ], and ].

Prior to the Hong Kong influx of the 1980s, the largest non-British ethnic group in the city was ], followed by ], ]n, Italians and the historical Chinese population. Invisible minorities, such as newly-arrived ]ans, are also a feature of the city's ethnic landscape.

There is also a sizable ] community in Vancouver as well as in the surrounding metropolitan region, with the result that Vancouver constitutes the largest native community in the province.<ref>{{cite web|title=Community Highlights for VancouverStatistics Canada (2001 census)|url=http://www12.statcan.ca/english/Profil01/CP01/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=5915022&Geo2=PR&Code2=59&Data=Count&SearchText=Vancouver&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom=|date= (2001 census data) |publisher = Statistics Canada|accessdate=2006-10-18}}</ref>

While not completely free of racial tension, Vancouver has relatively harmonious race relations.<ref>{{cite web | last = Community Services| first = Social Planning| title = Multiculturalism and Diversity: Vancouver's Diverse Population
| publisher = City of Vancouver| url = http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/commsvcs/socialplanning/initiatives/multicult/index.htm| accessdate =}}</ref> One result is a relatively high rate of intermarriage; mixed ethnicity couples are unremarkable in any neighbourhood. Both the annual Dragon Boat Festival and Lunar New Year's Day Parade are well attended by residents of all ethnic backgrounds.

Vancouver has a substantial ] and British Columbia was the second Canadian jurisdiction to legalize ] as a constitutional right, shortly after ].<ref>{{cite web| title = Marriage for Same-Sex Couples in Ontario and British Columbia, Canada
| publisher = Human Rights Campaign| url = http://www.hrc.org/Template.cfm?Section=Home&CONTENTID=14834&TEMPLATE=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm| accessdate =2006-11-28}}</ref> The downtown area around Davie Street is home to most of the city's gay clubs and bars and is known as ]. Every year Vancouver holds one of the country's largest ]s.<ref>{{cite web| title = Sponsorship 2006
| publisher = Vancouver Pride Society| url = http://www.vancouverpride.ca/images/docs/2006VPSSponsorshipPackage.pdf| format = ]| accessdate =2006-11-23}}</ref>

=== Population growth ===
The following table shows the development of the number of inhabitants according to ] data of ]. The former municipalities of Point Grey and South Vancouver are not included in the data prior to 1931.<ref></ref>

]|accessdate = }};{{cite web| title = British Columbia Municipal and Regional District 1996 Census Results| publisher = BC Stats| url = http://www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/data/cen96/mun_rd.asp| accessdate = }};{{cite web| title = British Columbia Municipal and Regional District 2001 Census Results| publisher = BC Stats| url = http://www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/data/cen01/mun_rd.asp| accessdate = }};{{cite book| last = Davis| first = Chuck| title = The Greater Vancouver Book: An Urban Encyclopedia| publisher = Linkman Press| date = 1997| location = Surrey, BC| pages = 780| id = ISBN 978-1896846002}}</ref>]]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5"
| valign="top" |
{|
|- style="background:#efefef;"
! Year
! Inhabitants
|-
| 1891 || align="right" | 13,709
|-
| 1901 || align="right" | 26,133
|-
| 1911 || align="right" | 100,401
|-
| 1921 || align="right" | 117,217
|-
| 1931 || align="right" | 246,593
|-
| 1941 || align="right" | 275,353
|-
| 1951 || align="right" | 344,833
|-
| 1961 || align="right" | 384,522
|}
| valign="top" |
{|
|- style="background:#efefef;"
! Year
! Inhabitants
|-
| 1966 || align="right" | 410,375
|-
| 1971 || align="right" | 426,256
|-
| 1976 || align="right" | 410,188
|-
| 1981 || align="right" | 414,281
|-
| 1986 || align="right" | 431,147
|-
| 1991 || align="right" | 471,644
|-
| 1996 || align="right" | 514,008
|-
| 2001 || align="right" | 545,671
|}
|}

==Economy==
{{Main|Economy of Vancouver}}

With its location on the ] and at the western terminus of Canada's ] and rail routes, Vancouver is one of the nation's largest industrial centres.<ref name="aboutvancouver"/>
] of downtown.]]
The ], Canada's largest and most diversified, does more than $43 billion in trade with over 90 countries annually. Port activities generate $4 billion in gross domestic product and $8.9 billion in economic output.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.portvancouver.com/media/port_facts.html|title=Port Facts|publisher=Vancouver Port Authority|accessdate=2007-01-15 }}</ref>
Vancouver is also the headquarters of ] and ] companies. In recent years, Vancouver has become an increasingly important centre for ], ] and a vibrant ].

The city’s scenic location makes it a major tourist destination. Visitors come for the city’s gardens, ], Queen Elizabeth Park, and a combination of mountains, ocean, forest and parklands surrounding the city. The numerous beaches, parks, waterfronts, and mountain backdrop, combined with its cultural and multi-ethnic character, all contribute to its unique appeal and style for tourists. Over a million people annually pass through Vancouver en route to a ] vacation, usually to ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Why visit Vancouver?|publisher=Tourism Vancouver|url=http://www.tourismvancouver.com/visitors/about_vancouver/why_vancouver|accessdate=2006-11-11}}</ref>

The city's popularity comes with a price. Vancouver can be an expensive city, with the highest housing prices in Canada. Several 2006 studies rank Vancouver as having the least affordable housing in Canada, one ranking it fifteenth least affordable in the world, marginally more affordable than ].<ref>{{cite news|first=Fiona|last=Anderson|title=Vancouver housing 'severely unaffordable'|publisher=CanWest News Service|date=]|url=http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/westcoastnews/story.html?id=ff7fd1e0-f52e-4de7-af5b-6117dc6cded5|accessdate=2006-09-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.demographia.com/dhi-ix2005q3.pdf|title=Demographia International Housing Affordability Survey: 2006|publisher=Wendell Cox Consultancy|accessdate=2006-11-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Housing Affordability|url=http://www.rbc.com/economics/market/pdf/house.pdf|publisher=RBC Financial Group|accessdate=2006-09-27}}</ref> The city has adopted various strategies to reduce housing costs, including ], legalized ], increased density and ]. The city’s residents are generally affluent, a perception reinforced by the number of ] on city streets and cost of real estate. The average two-storey home in Vancouver sells for $803,500, compared to $425,644 in Calgary, the next most expensive major city in Canada.<ref>{{cite web| title = Survey of Canadian Average House Prices in the Fourth Quarter 2006| work = Economics/Research| publisher = Royal LePage| date = 14 December 2006| url = http://docs.rlpnetwork.com/Q42006Release.pdf|format=]|accessdate =2006-12-20}}</ref>

A major and ongoing downtown condominium construction boom began in the late 1990s, financed in large part by a huge flow of capital from ] immigrants prior to the 1997 hand-over to ]. High-rise residential developments from this period now dominate the ] and ] districts of the downtown peninsula, and also cluster around some of the ] stations on the east side of the city.

The city has been selected to co-host the 2010 Winter Olympics, which is influencing economic development. Concern has been expressed that Vancouver’s increasing homelessness problem may be exacerbated by the Olympics because owners of single room occupancy hotels, which house many of the city’s lowest income residents, have begun converting their properties in order to attract higher income residents and tourists.<ref>{{cite news | title = Homelessness could triple by 2010: Report | publisher = CBC| date = 21 September 2006 | url = http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2006/09/21/bc-pivot-housing.html | accessdate =}}</ref> Another significant international event, the ], was held in Vancouver. It was the last ] held in North America and was considered a success, receiving 20,111,578 visits. Several Vancouver landmarks date from that period, including the ] public transit system, the ], and ].<ref>{{cite web| title = Expo '86 | work = The Canadian Encyclopedia| publisher = Historica| url = http://www.canadianencyclopedia.ca/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&ArticleId=A0002692| accessdate=2007-01-17}}</ref>
{{wide image|VanPanDeluxe.jpg|2500px|Panorama of Vancouver taken from Chinatown.}}

== Governance ==
{{main|Government and politics of Vancouver}}
The civic government has been dominated by the right wing ] (NPA) since the ], albeit with some significant centre-left interludes.<ref>{{cite book | last = Davis| first = Chuck| title = The Greater Vancouver Book: An Urban Encyclopaedia | publisher = Linkman Press| date = 1997| location = Surrey, British Columbia | pages = 39-47| url = http://www.discovervancouver.com/gvb/history-of-vancouver.asp|accessdate =|id = ISBN 978-1896846002}}</ref> The NPA’s ] was elected mayor of Vancouver in November 2005, signaling the party’s return to power after a ] slate swept the previous election. The NPA fractured over the issue of ] policy in 2002, facilitating a landslide victory for the ] on a ] platform. Subsequently, ]’s ] was opened for the significant number of intravenous ] users in the city.

Vancouver is governed by the ten-member ], a nine-member School Board, and a seven-member Parks Board, all elected for three year terms through an at-large system. Historically, in all levels of government, the more affluent west side of Vancouver has voted along ] or ] lines while the eastern side of the city has voted along ] lines.<ref>{{cite paper|author = Andrea Barbara Smith| title = The Origins of the NPA: A Study in Vancouver Politics| version = MA thesis| publisher = University of British Columbia| date = 1981}}</ref> This was reaffirmed with the results of the ].

] with the 2010 Winter Olympics Flag.]]

Though polarized, a political consensus has emerged in Vancouver around a number of issues. Protection of urban parks, a focus on the development of rapid transit as opposed to a freeway system, a harm reduction approach to illegal drug use, and a general concern about community based development are examples of policies that have come to have broad support across the ] in Vancouver.

In the ] elections, City Council swung back to the ] after a term dominated by the leftist Coalition of Progressive Electors (COPE). NPA mayoral candidate ] narrowly defeated ] for the position of mayor and was joined by five of his party's members on Council. The centrist ] (VVN) brought four members to Council with the final seat going to COPE. The NPA also won six of nine School Board seats and five of seven Parks Board seats, while the remaining Board seats were won by COPE.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/ctyclerk/election2005/finalresults.htm|title=Vancouver Votes November 19th, 2005 |publisher=City of Vancouver |accessdate=2006-11-11}}</ref> Former Mayor ] chose not to run for re-election and was subsequently appointed to the ].

In the ], Vancouver is represented by ten ] (MLAs). In the ], the ] and the ] each won five seats.

In the ], Vancouver is represented by five ]. In the ], the ] won four seats and the federal ] (NDP) one. In the ], all the same Members of Parliament were re-elected. However, on ], ], ] of ] defected to the ], giving the Conservatives one seat in Vancouver. As of February 2006, the Liberals hold three seats, and the NDP and the Conservatives hold one each.

The former mayor, Larry Campbell, came to office in 2002 in part because of his willingness to champion alternative interventions for drug issues, such as supervised injection sites. The city has adopted a ''Four Pillars Drug Strategy'', which combines ] (e.g. needle exchanges, supervised injection sites) with treatment, enforcement, and prevention.<ref>{{cite web| title = Four Pillars Drug Strategy| publisher = City of Vancouver| date = 2001| url = http://www.vancouver.ca/fourpillars/| accessdate=2007-01-17}}</ref> The strategy is largely a response to the endemic ] and ] among injection drug users in the city's ] neighbourhood. The area is characterized by entrenched poverty and consequently is home to the "low track" street sex trade and a bustling "open air" street drug market, which gave rise to a significant ] epidemic in the 1990s. Some community and professional groups &mdash; such as From Grief to Action and Keeping the Door Open. &mdash; are fostering public dialogue in the city about further alternatives to current drug policies.<ref>{{cite web|title=From Grief to Action|url=http://www.fromgrieftoaction.org|publisher=From Grief to Action|accessdate=2006-11-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Maxwell|first=Gillian|title=Keeping the Door Open|url=http://www.keepingthedooropen.com|publisher=AIDS Vancouver|accessdate=2006-11-15}}</ref>

While most of the Lower Mainland is policed by the ]'s "E" Division, Vancouver has its own ] (as do ], ], ], and ]), with a strength of 1,174 sworn members and an operating budget of almost $150 million (in 2005 figures).<ref>{{cite web| title = About "E" Division| publisher = Royal Canadian Mounted Police| url = http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/bc/about_ediv/index_e.htm | accessdate =2006-11-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title = Beyond the Call| work = Annual Report 2005| publisher = Vancouver Police Department | date = 2005| url = http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/police/Planning/Reports/2005AnnualReport.pdf| format = ] | accessdate =2006-11-23 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title = Vancouver Police Department Operating Results
| publisher = Vancouver Police Board|date=April 2005| url = http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/police/policeboard/financial/OperatingResults0405.pdf | format = ]| accessdate =}}</ref> Over 16% of the city's budget was spent on police protection in 2005.<ref>{{cite web| title = 2005 Annual Report| publisher = City of Vancouver| date = 2005| url = http://vancouver.ca/publications/pdf/COVannualreport2005.pdf| format = ]| accessdate =}}</ref>]The Vancouver Police has numerous operational divisions, including a bicycle squad, a marine squad, and a dog squad. It also has a mounted squad, used primarily to patrol Stanley Park and occasionally the Downtown Eastside and West End, as well as for crowd control.<ref>{{cite web| title = Mounted Squad: Patrol District One| publisher = Vancouver Police Department| url = http://vancouver.ca/police/operations/mounted/index.htm| accessdate=2007-01-17}}</ref> The police work in conjunction with civilian and volunteer run Community Police Centres.<ref>{{cite web| title = Police Operations| publisher = City of Vancouver| url = http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/police/operations/index.htm| accessdate=2007-01-17}}</ref> In 2006, the police department established its own ], which led to speculation of a rift between the Vancouver Police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police because the latter normally handles national security matters.<ref>{{cite web| year = June 2006 | url = http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/police/policeboard/meetingminutes/20060614.pdf| title = Vancouver Police Board minutes of June 14, 2006 | format = {{PDFlink|31.2KB}} | work = | publisher = City of Vancouver | accessdate =2006-11-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last =Howell | first =Mike| year = June 16, 2006 | url = http://www.vancourier.com/issues06/063206/news/063206nn5.html| title = VPD's war on terror 'requires a lot of legwork'| publisher = Vancouver Courier| accessdate =2006-11-23}}</ref> In 2005, a new transit police force, the ] (GVTAPS), was established with full police powers.

Although it is technically illegal, Vancouver police generally do not arrest people for possessing small amounts of ].<ref>{{cite web| url = http://vancouver.ca/police/DrugPolicy/doc/20060926DrugPolicy.pdf| title = Vancouver Police Department Drug Policy| format = {{PDFlink|31.2KB}} | publisher = Vancouver Police Department|accessdate =2006-11-23}}</ref> In 2000 the Vancouver Police Department established a specialized drug squad, "Growbusters," to carry out an aggressive campaign against the city's estimated 4,000 hydroponic marijuana growing operations (or grow-ops) in residential areas.<ref>{{cite news | title = Growbusters | publisher = CBC| date =26 July 2000 | url = http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2000/07/26/bc_growbusters000725.html | accessdate =2007-01-17}}</ref> As with other law enforcement campaigns targeting marijuana this initiative has been sharply criticized.<ref>{{cite news | last = Burrows| first = Mathew | title = Who You Gonna Call?| publisher = The Republic| date = 21 February 2002| url = http://www.republic-news.org/archive/32-repub/repub_32_grow.html| accessdate =}}</ref>

As of 2005, Vancouver (CMA) had the fourth highest crime rate among all Canadian cities.<ref name="STCD">{{cite web| title = Vancouver crime statistics| publisher = Statistics Canada| url = http://www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/060720/d060720b.htm|accessdate=2007-01-17}}</ref> However, as with other Canadian cities, the over-all crime rate has been falling "dramatically."<ref>{{cite web| title = Beyond the Call| work = Annual Report 2005| publisher = Vancouver Police Department | date = 2005| url =http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/police/Planning/Reports/2005AnnualReport.pdf| format = ] | accessdate =}}</ref><ref name="STCD" /> Vancouver's property-crime rate is particularly high, ranking among the highest for major North American cities.<ref>{{cite news|author=CBC News| url=http://www.cbc.ca/bc/story/bc_crime20060112.html|date=2006-01-12|title=Vancouver property crime down in 2005|accessdate=2006-09-01}}</ref> But even property crime dropped 10.5% between 2004 and 2005, according the Vancouver Police.<ref>{{cite web| title = Beyond the Call| work = Annual Report 2005| publisher = Vancouver Police Department| date = 2005| url =http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/police/Planning/Reports/2005AnnualReport.pdf| format = ]| accessdate =}}</ref>

==Transportation==
{{main|Transportation in Vancouver}}
Vancouver's streetcar system began on ], ] and ran from the (first) ] to Westminster Avenue (now Main Street). Less than a year later, the Westminster and Vancouver Tramway Company began operating Canada's first interurban line between the two cities, which encouraged residential neighbourhoods outside the central core to develop.<ref>{{cite web | last = Davis| first = Chuck| url = http://www.vancouverhistory.ca/chronology2.html| title = The History of Metropolitan Vancouver| accessdate =2006-11-23}}</ref> The ], became the company that operated the urban and interurban rail system until 1958 when its last vestiges were dismantled in favour of diesel buses.<ref>{{cite web | last = Davis| first = Chuck| url = http://www.vancouverhistory.ca/chronology1958.htm| title = The History of Metropolitan Vancouver| accessdate =2006-11-14}}</ref>

City councils, as part of a long term plan, prohibited the construction of ]s in the 1980s. <ref>{{cite news|last=Millar|first=Royce|title=No freeways puts Vancouver on top|date=2006-09-11|work=The Age|url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2006/09/10/1157826813807.html|accessdate=2006-11-14}}</ref> The only major freeway within city limits is ], which passes through the eastern edge of the city.

], the ] transportation authority, is responsible for roads and public transportation within region. It provides a ] service, ] Rapid Bus Service (2 of the 3 B-Lines run in Vancouver with 2 more B-Lines by 2008), a foot passenger and bicycle ferry service (known as ]), a two-line automated ] system called ], and the commuter rail ].<ref>{{cite web| year = December 2005 | url =http://www.translink.bc.ca/files/pdf/plan_proj/2006_Transportation_Plan.pdf| title = 2006 Transportation Plan | format = {{PDFlink|5.4MB}}| publisher = TransLink | accessdate =2006-11-23}}</ref> Future projects include the ], a metro style train line that will connect ] and the neighbouring municipality Richmond with Downtown.
] on the ].]]
Inter-city passenger rail service is operated from ] by ] to points east; ] to ]; and ] rail tour routes.

Vancouver is served by ] (YVR), located on ] in the City of ], immediately south of Vancouver. Vancouver's airport is Canada's second busiest airport, and the second largest gateway on the west coast of North America for international passengers. ] and two ] companies operate scheduled air service from Vancouver harbour. The city is also served by two ] terminals. One is to the northwest at ], ], and the other is to the south, at ] (in ]).

==Education==
Vancouver is served by ], the second largest ] in British Columbia.<ref>{{cite web | year = June 2005 | url = http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/review/039_2005.pdf| title = District Review Report, School District No. 39 Vancouver | format = {{PDFlink|35.4KB}}| publisher = British Columbia Education| accessdate =2006-11-23}}</ref> As in other parts of the province, numerous ]s are also eligible for partial provincial funding &mdash; this includes ]s, ] schools, and ] schools, most of which also charge tuition. Vancouver also includes three schools that are part of the province-wide ] (CSF), the ] public school district.

Vancouver is served by the Lower Mainland's two major public universities, the ] (UBC) and ] (SFU), as well as one major private university, ] (TWU). UBC and SFU have satellite ] within the city, as does the ], which provides ] education and grants ]s in several fields. ] and ], along with other colleges in surrounding communities, provide career, trade, and university-transfer programs for Vancouver residents. ] grants certificates, diplomas, and degrees in art and design. Other arts schools include the ] and ].

==Architecture and cityscape==
Notable buildings within the city include ], the ], the ] (], architect) at the ], and the ]. There are several striking modern buildings in the downtown area, including the Vancouver Law Courts and surrounding plaza known as Robson Square (]) and the ] (], architect), reminiscent of the ] in ]. ]The original ] headquarters building at Nelson and Burrard Streets is a ] high-rise, now converted into the Electra condominiums. Also notable is the "concrete waffle" of the MacMillan-Bloedel building on the north-east corner of the Georgia and Thurlow intersection. A prominent addition to the city's landscape is the giant tent-frame ], the former Canada Pavilion from ], which includes the ] as well as a Cruise Ship Terminal and the Pan-Pacific Hotel. Two modern skyscrapers that define the skyline looking south are the city hall and the Centennial Pavilion of Vancouver Hospital, both by Townley and Matheson (1936 and 1958 respectively).<ref>{{cite book| last = Davis| first = Chuck| coauthors = Harold Kalman| title = Greater Vancouver Book: An Urban Encyclopaedia| publisher = Linkman Press | date = 1997| location = Surrey, BC| pages = 185-196| url = http://www.discovervancouver.com/GVB/notable-buildings.asp|id = ISBN 978-1896846002}}</ref><ref>{{cite book| last = Kalman| first = Harold| title = Exploring Vancouver: Ten Tours of the City and its Buildings| publisher = University of British Columbia Press| date = 1974| location = Vancouver| pages = 160-161| id = ISBN 0774800283}}</ref>

A collection of Edwardian buildings in the city's old downtown core were, in their day, the tallest buildings in the ]. These were, in succession, the Province Building, the ] (1907, both at Cambie and Hastings Streets), and the ] (1911) at Beatty and Pender Streets. The Sun Tower's cupola was finally exceeded as the Empire's tallest by the elaborate Art Deco ] in the 1920s.<ref>{{cite book| last = Kalman| first = Harold| title = Exploring Vancouver: Ten Tours of the City and its Buildings| publisher = University of British Columbia Press| date = 1974| location = Vancouver| pages = 22,24,78| id = ISBN 0774800283}}</ref> Inspired by ] ], the Marine Building is known for its elaborate ceramic tile facings and brass-gilt doors and elevators, which make it a favourite location for movie shoots.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://canada.archiseek.com/british_columbia/vancouver/marine_building.html| title = Marine Building| publisher = Archiseek | accessdate =2006-11-23}}</ref> Another notable Edwardian building in the city is the ] building, designed by Francis Mawson Rattenbury, who also designed the provincial Legislature and the original and highly decorative ] (torn down after WWII as a condition of the completion of the new Hotel Vancouver a block away).<ref>{{cite web | last = Davis| first = Chuck| url = http://www.vancouverhistory.ca/archives_rattenbury.htm | title = The History of Metropolitan Vancouver| work = Rattenbury| publisher = Vancouver History | accessdate =2006-11-23}}</ref>
]
Topping the list of ] as of June 2006 is ] at 150&nbsp;m and 48&nbsp;storeys, followed closely by the ] at 149&nbsp;m and 41&nbsp;storeys.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/ci/bu/sk/li/?id=100997&bt=2&ht=2&sro=1| title = Vancouver High-rise buildings| publisher = Emporis Buildings | accessdate =2006-11-23}}</ref>

Vancouver's "View Protection Guidelines" were approved in 1989 and amended in 1990, establishing view corridors in the downtown with height limits to protect views of the ]. These guidelines have succeeded in preserving mountain views, although some find Vancouver's skyline flat and lacking in visual interest. Many agree that there is a need for some taller buildings to reflect Vancouver's contemporary image, but others are concerned about proposals for much higher buildings. Many believe that the natural setting, and in particular, views of the ], may be hindered as tall buildings grow in number. In response to these concerns, ] commissioned a "Skyline Study" in 1997.<ref>{{cite web| title = Downtown Vancouver Skyline Study| work = Special Council Meeting Minutes | publisher = City of Vancouver| date = 7 and 23 April 1997| url=http://www.vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/cclerk/970407/skyline.htm | format = ]| accessdate =}}</ref>

The Skyline Study concluded that Vancouver's skyline would benefit from the addition of a handful of buildings exceeding current height limits, to add visual interest to Vancouver's skyline. This led to the ''General Policy on Higher Buildings''. The study noted that the opportunities for such buildings were restricted due to a limited number of large development sites in the downtown. There were at least five sites identified where buildings exceeding the 137 m (450 foot) height limit are possible and at least two sites in the northwest corner of the central business district where heights up to 122 m (400 feet) (exceeding the 91 m (300 foot) limit) might be considered.<ref>{{cite web| title = General Policy for Higher Buildings| publisher = City of Vancouver| date = 6 May 1997| url = http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/COMMSVCS/Guidelines/H005.pdf| format = ]| accessdate =}}</ref> Eight years later, five of the seven identified sites for higher buildings have been developed or are in the development application process. The tallest of these new buildings is the ] hotel/residential tower, which when completed in 2007 will stand 197 m tall (61 storeys).<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.skyscrapernews.com/news.php?ref=708 | title=Shangri La's Vancouver Classy Skyline| publisher=Skyscrapernews.com|accessdate=2006-08-31}}</ref>

== Arts and culture ==
{{see|Music of Vancouver}}
Prominent theatre companies in Vancouver include the ], the ], and ]. Smaller companies include Touchstone Theatre, ], Carousel Theatre, and the United Players of Vancouver. ] produces shows in the summer at ] in ]. In addition, Vancouver holds an annual ] and ].

Vancouver is the home to a number of museums and galleries. The ] has a permanent collection of over 7,900 items valued at over $100 million and is the home of a significant number of works by ].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.vanartgallery.bc.ca/about_gallery.cfm| title=About the Gallery| publisher=Vancouver Art Gallery|accessdate=2006-11-11}}</ref> The ] is a nautical museum with the ], an historic ] exploration ship, as its centrepiece. The ] is a leading museum of ] ] culture and the ] is the largest civic museum in Canada. A more interactive museum is ].

In 1986, Greater Vancouver’s cultural community created the Alliance for Arts and Culture to provide a strong voice for the sector and an avenue to work together. This coalition now numbers more than 320 arts groups and individuals. The Alliance's mission is to, "strive towards an environment that recognizes, respects, and responds to the contribution our sector makes to society’s well-being."<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.allianceforarts.com/about-us/mission-and-priorities.html| title=Mission and Priorities| publisher=Alliance for Arts and Culture|accessdate=2006-11-23}}</ref>

]
Vancouver is a major regional centre for the development of Canadian music. The city's musical contributions include performers of classical, folk and popular music. <!--not that I like any of them, but a listing of noted classical composers and performers resident/emergent is needed-->

The city played an important role in the development of ], perhaps most famously including the band ], ], and the ] group ]. Other Vancouver bands who achieved stardom in London during the punk era were The Pointed Sticks, I, Braineater, U-J3RK5 (pronounced "you jerk": the five is silent), the ] (originally the K-Tels) and The Modernettes. Vancouver was also where the punk movie "Terminal City Ricochet" was filmed; the movie's name comes from a hockey team called the Terminal City Ricochets.<ref>{{cite news | last = Buium| first = Greg| title = Sound and Fury: Reliving Vancouver’s punk explosion| publisher = CBC| date = 15 April 2005| url = http://www.cbc.ca/arts/music/soundandfury.html| accessdate =2007-01-23}}
</ref>

Mainstream pop music has featured bands and performers such as ], ], ], ], and ]. <!--this is a big list of names; why none were mentioned when cantopop was placed FIRST was kinda grating, actually....--> Some music stars whose names were made abroad have chosen Vancouver as their residence, including ],], ], ] and others.<ref>{{cite web| last = Gooch| first = Bryan N. S.| title = Vancouver, BC:1945-91| work = The Canadian Encyclopedia| publisher = Historica| url = http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=U1SEC842192| accessdate =2006-11-23 }}</ref>

Larger performances are usually held at venues such as ], ], ] or the ], while smaller acts are held at places such as the ], the ], the ] and the Vogue Theatre.

Two significant annual music festivals are held in Vancouver. The ] and the ] showcase music in their respective genres from around the world.

The ] and the ] are the two professional orchestras based in the city. It is also home to a major opera company, the ], and numerous regional opera companies throughout the metropolitan area.<!--also regional symphonies, e.g. the New Westminster Philharmonic; not just opera companies should be here, but also things like the Royal City Musical Theatre and more-->

Vancouver's large Chinese population has a significant music scene, which has produced several ] stars. Similarly, various Indo-Canadian artists and actors have a profile in ] or other aspects of India's entertainment industry.

Nightlife in Vancouver had, for years, been seen as restricted in comparison to other cities, with early closing times for bars and night clubs, and a reluctance by authorities to allow for further development. However, since 2003 Vancouver has experimented with later closing hours and relaxed regulations, and an effort has been made to develop the Downtown core even further as an entertainment district, especially on and around Granville Street.<ref>{{cite news |title=Police take aim at Vancouver's entertainment district| publisher = CBC | date = 7 November 2006| url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2006/11/07/bc-police-bars.html | accessdate =2007-01-23}}</ref>

== Sports and recreation ==
]
{{Main|Sports in Vancouver}}
The mild climate of the city and close proximity to ocean, mountains, rivers and lakes make the area a popular destination for outdoor recreation. Indeed, Vancouver has a low adult obesity rate of 12% compared to the Canadian average, 23%; however, while 51% of Vancouverites are considered overweight, it is the fourth thinnest city in Canada after Toronto, Montreal, and Halifax.<ref>{{cite web| title = Regional differences in obesity| work = Health Reports| publisher = Statistics Canada| date = 22 August 2006| url =http://www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/060822/d060822b.htm | accessdate =2007-01-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Sharon|last=Kirkey|title=Suburban Sprawl|publisher=CanWest News Service|date=]|url=http://www.canada.com/topics/bodyandhealth/story.html?id=eee5654b-03e0-4dc3-8e3c-c116ee68a15c&k=82271&p=2|accessdate=2006-11-23}}</ref>

Vancouver has over 1,298 hectares (2,700 acres) of parks, with Stanley Park being the largest at 404 hectares (1,000 acres).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://vancouver.ca/parks/info/aboutus/index.htm|title=About the Park Board|publisher=Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation|accessdate=2007-01-15}}</ref> The municipality also has several large beaches, many flowing into each other, with the largest groups extending from the coast of Stanley Park before reaching False Creek, and on the other side of English Bay, starting in the Kitsilano neighbourhood all the way to the ], which are separate from Vancouver. The 18 kilometres (11 miles) of beaches that surround Vancouver include English Bay (First Beach), Jericho, ], Locarno, Second Beach (Stanley Park), ] East, Spanish Bank Extension, Spanish Bank West, Sunset, and Third Beach (Stanley Park).<ref>{{cite news | last = Thomas| first = Sandra| title = City gets into the swim of things| publisher = Vancouver Courier| date = 19 May 2006| url = http://www.vancourier.com/issues06/053206/news/053206nn8.html| accessdate =2007-01-15}}</ref> The coastline provides for many types of water sport, and the city is a popular destination for boating enthusiasts.

The nearby ] mountains are home to three ski hills, ], ], and ]. Each are within 20 to 30 minutes (driving time) of downtown Vancouver. Mountain bikers have created world-renowned trails across the North Shore. The ], Lynn Creek, Seymour River, are within 20 minutes (driving time) of downtown provide opportunities to white water enthusiasts during periods of rain and spring melt. The ] is held every May, the ] (a 10 km race) every April.

Vancouver will be the host city for the ], and the 2009 ]. ], just across the city line in ], will host some games for the ].

*'''Professional sports teams'''
]
{| class="wikitable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
! Club !! Sport !! League !! Venue
|-
| ]
| ]
| ]
| ]
|-
| ]
| ]
| ]
| ]
|-
| ]
| ] (Single A Short Season)
| ]
| ]
|-
| ]
| ] (Junior)
| ]
| ]
|-
| ]<br>]
| ]
| ] (men's)<br/>] (women's)
| ]
|}

==Media==
{{main|Media of Vancouver}}
{{see|List of Vancouver media outlets}}
Vancouver's two major English-language ] are '']'' and '']'', both published by the ]. Other mainstream newspapers include the free '']'', '']'', and the '']''. Independent newspapers include '']'', the ''West Ender'' and '']''. Television stations include ], ], ], ], and ]. Radio stations with news departments include ], ], and ].

==Affiliated cities and municipalities==
The City of Vancouver was one of the first cities in Canada to enter into an international ] arrangement.<ref>{{cite paper| author = Smith, Patrick J. and Kennedy Stewart| title = Beavers and Cats Revisited: Creatures and Tenants versus Municipal Charter(s) and Home Rule| publisher = Institute of Intergovernmental Relations, Queen's University| date = 2003| url = http://www.iigr.ca/conferences/archive/pdfs4/Kennedy_and_Stewart.pdf| format = ]| accessdate = 2007-01-23}}</ref> Special arrangements for cultural, social and economic benefits have been created with ] (1944), ] (1965), ] (1978), ] (1985), and ] (1986)."<ref name="aboutvancouver"/>

There are 21 municipalities in the ] (GVRD). While each of these has a separate municipal government, the GVRD oversees common services within the metropolitan area such as water, sewage, transportation, and regional parks.

{{Canadian City Geographic Location (8-way)
| Northwest = ] |
| North = ] |
| Northeast = ] |
| West = ] |
| Centre = Vancouver |
| East = ]<br>]|
| Southwest = '']'' |
| South = ]<br>]
| Southeast = ]
}}

==See also==
* {{Wikitravel}}
*]
* ]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
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* - City of Vancouver
{{Geolinks-Canada-cityscale|49.242609|-123.099399}}
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* - Tourism Vancouver
* Tourism BC - ]
* - Alliance for Arts and Culture
* - Chuck Davis
* &mdash; Illustrated Historical Essay and movie clip (McCord Museum, Montreal)
* - Weather Office

{{col-break}}
{{portal}}
{{sisterlinks|Vancouver}}
{{col-end}}
{{BritishColumbia}}
{{VancouverNeighbourhoods}}
{{Greater Vancouver}}
{{Olympic Winter Games Host Cities}}
{{Census metropolitan areas by size}}

{{featured article}}

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Revision as of 05:55, 2 February 2007