| Revision as of 21:13, 11 August 2002 edit65.92.51.171 (talk)No edit summary← Previous edit | Revision as of 11:52, 18 August 2002 edit undo207.102.49.182 (talk) Added info. on Central Inrterior and gold rush histtory. Also mention of BC RailNext edit → | ||
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| British Columbia started as two British ], Vancouver Island and New Caledonia. The colony of Vancouver Island was created in ]; New Caledonia was created in ]; and the two merged in ]. The two colonies agreed upon the name ''British Columbia'' for the newly created political region. | British Columbia started as two British ], Vancouver Island and New Caledonia. The colony of Vancouver Island was created in ]; New Caledonia was created in ]; and the two merged in ]. The two colonies agreed upon the name ''British Columbia'' for the newly created political region. | ||
| The Cariboo region ( |
The Cariboo region ("Central Interior") of British Columbia, then New Caledonia, experienced a gold rush in the years of ]-]. This created a rapid influx of miners and settlers, about 30,000 in all. This period in the provinces history is acknowledged today in the Gold Rush Trail: historic and other sites along the route from ] to ] and beyond. Some of the towns along this route are numbered according to their distance from the end of the navigable part of the ] at Lilloet. Best known of these is the town of ] which, along with the residential hub of ], forms a substantial trading, tourism and population centre for this region. | ||
| Several factors played in the decision of British Columbia to join the Dominion of Canada in ]. These were the fear of ] into the ], the overwhelming debt created by rapid population growth and the need for government-funded services to support this population, and the end of the gold rush creating a slight economic depression. | Several factors played in the decision of British Columbia to join the Dominion of Canada in ]. These were the fear of ] into the ], the overwhelming debt created by rapid population growth and the need for government-funded services to support this population, and the end of the gold rush creating a slight economic depression. | ||
| The decision to join Canada was made largely because the Canadian government offered to link British Columbia to the more settled parts of Canada via the ] and offered to pay off the $1,000,000 British Columbian debt. | The decision to join Canada was made largely because the Canadian government offered to link British Columbia to the more settled parts of Canada via the ] and offered to pay off the $1,000,000 British Columbian debt. British Columbia itself is today served by ], Canada's third largest railroad. | ||
| On ], ], British Columbia became a member of the Dominion of Canada. | On ], ], British Columbia became a member of the Dominion of Canada. | ||
| British Columbia is reknowned for its spectacular scenery which forms the backdrop and context for a growing outdoor adventure and ] industry. Its citizens are, on average, considered to be the fittest in Canada. | |||
| The ] region is the premiere wine-growing region in Canada. Initially favouring the German varietals, the area is now producing fine Marchel Foche's, and with time is expected to produce other strong reds. Small rural towns ], ] or ] provide hospitality to visitors from around the world. | The ] region is the premiere wine-growing region in Canada. Initially favouring the German varietals, the area is now producing fine Marchel Foche's, and with time is expected to produce other strong reds. Small rural towns ], ] or ] provide hospitality to visitors from around the world. | ||
Revision as of 11:52, 18 August 2002
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British Columbia (French, la Colombie-Britannique)is the westernmost of Canada's provinces. Its capital is Victoria. Its largest city is Vancouver. It was the sixth province to join the confederation of Canada. As of 2001, the population is 4,095,934. Other cities include Richmond, Kelowna, New Westminster, Nanaimo, Kamloops, and Prince George.
British Columbia started as two British colonies, Vancouver Island and New Caledonia. The colony of Vancouver Island was created in 1849; New Caledonia was created in 1858; and the two merged in 1866. The two colonies agreed upon the name British Columbia for the newly created political region.
The Cariboo region ("Central Interior") of British Columbia, then New Caledonia, experienced a gold rush in the years of 1862-1865. This created a rapid influx of miners and settlers, about 30,000 in all. This period in the provinces history is acknowledged today in the Gold Rush Trail: historic and other sites along the route from Lilloet to Barkervile and beyond. Some of the towns along this route are numbered according to their distance from the end of the navigable part of the Fraser River at Lilloet. Best known of these is the town of 100 Mile House which, along with the residential hub of 108 Mile Ranch, forms a substantial trading, tourism and population centre for this region.
Several factors played in the decision of British Columbia to join the Dominion of Canada in 1871. These were the fear of annexation into the United States, the overwhelming debt created by rapid population growth and the need for government-funded services to support this population, and the end of the gold rush creating a slight economic depression.
The decision to join Canada was made largely because the Canadian government offered to link British Columbia to the more settled parts of Canada via the Canadian Pacific Railway and offered to pay off the $1,000,000 British Columbian debt. British Columbia itself is today served by BC Rail, Canada's third largest railroad.
On July 20, 1871, British Columbia became a member of the Dominion of Canada.
British Columbia is reknowned for its spectacular scenery which forms the backdrop and context for a growing outdoor adventure and ecotourism industry. Its citizens are, on average, considered to be the fittest in Canada.
The Okanagan region is the premiere wine-growing region in Canada. Initially favouring the German varietals, the area is now producing fine Marchel Foche's, and with time is expected to produce other strong reds. Small rural towns Penticton, Oliver or Osoyoos provide hospitality to visitors from around the world.
Much of Vancouver Island is covered by a temperate rain forest.
See also: Canada, Canadian provinces and territories, Canadian cities, List of British Columbia Premiers
- Government of British Columbia: http://www.gov.bc.ca/