Victoria
Location
Victoria is the capital of the province of British Columbia, and is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island; the largest of British Columbia's 6,500 islands.
It is a community of choice for its temperate climate, natural beauty, recreational sites and superior economic opportunities.
For almost every citizen, native born or "immigrant," the decision to live here is consciously made.
According to the 2001 census, about 325,000 people make their home in the Greater Victoria area. The population has increased
from 148,000 in 1961 and is expected to approach 400,000 by the year 2020.
Greater Victoria has attracted people from all over Canada, the United States, and other countries. Many of those moving here
add to the high level of artistic, technical, and professional skills as well as to the entrepreneurial activity or the region.
While the region is a popular retirement centre, each year many young people also move here, bringing education, energy, skills
and funds to invest in local businesses.
The region's strategic location as a gateway to the Pacific Rim, its closeness to the U.S. markets, and its many sea and air links
have made the area a hub for business development and economic investment.
Climate
Located in the sub-Mediterranean zone, Victorians enjoy some of the most moderate weather in all of Canada. Victoria boasts an average
of 2,183 hours of sunshine yearly, and an eight month frost free season. Average annual rainfall is 26.2 inches (compared to over 50 inches in New York).
The average monthly rainfall in winter is 5 cm (2 inches) and in the summer is less than 2.5 cm (1 inch).
Victoria has a very low humidity ratio, and almost constant offshore breezes which keep summer days from becoming too hot, yet summer evenings can cool off;
therefore a sweater or a light jacket is recommended. Although winters are mild and rarely include snow, warmer clothing is recommended between the months of
November and March.
Comfortable walking shoes are a must. This resort style city is made for strolling, with downtown hotels, restaurants, shops, and parks within close proximity to each other.
| Average Monthly Temperature | ||
| Month | Celsius(°C) | Farenheit(°F) |
| January | 6.5 | 44 |
| February | 8.4 | 47 |
| March | 10.2 | 50 |
| April | 12.9 | 55 |
| May | 16.3 | 61 |
| June | 19.3 | 67 |
| July | 21.8 | 71 |
| August | 21.8 | 71 |
| September | 19.1 | 67 |
| October | 14.1 | 57 |
| November | 9.4 | 49 |
| December | 6.8 | 44 |
Monthly temperatures provided by the Tourism Victoria.
History
Victoria is Western Canada's oldest city. The City began in 1843 as a Hudson Bay Company trading post, named in honour of Queen Victoria. With the Fraser Valley gold rush in 1858, Victoria grew rapidly as the main port of entry to the Colonies of Vancouver Island and British Columbia. When the colonies combined, the City became the colonial capital and was established as the provincial capital when British Columbia joined the Canadian Confederation in 1871.
For most of the nineteenth century, Victoria remained the largest city in British Columbia and was the foremost in trade and commerce. However, with construction of the Transcontinental railway, Vancouver as its terminus emerged as the major west coast port and the largest city in British Columbia.
In the twentieth century, Victoria evolved primarily as a city of government, retirement and tourism. The City remains, however, Canada's western naval base and home to a major fishing fleet. Ship building and repair, as well as forest products and machine manufacturing industries, continue as significant sources of employment. Increasingly, the city is developing as a marine, forestry and agricultural research centre. The city is also noted for its fine educational institutions which include the University of Victoria, Lester B. Pearson College of the Pacific (one of only six in the world operated by United World Colleges), and the recently opened Royal Roads University.
Today with an estimated regional population of 326,000, a moderate climate and scenic setting, Victoria has retained a very vital but comfortable quality of life. The city is proud of its British heritage, its fine homes and neighbourhoods, its historic and attractive downtown, the flowers and parks and, of course, the Inner Harbour with its vistas toward the famous Empress Hotel and the Parliament Buildings.
Transportation
Vancouver Island and the Victoria region are served by an excellent transportation network. Ferries carrying passengers, automobiles, trucks and trailers make multiple crossings to and from the mainland daily, linking motorists to Vancouver to the east, Seattle to the south and Prince Rupert and Alaska to the north. The network also includes an airport, helicopter and seaplane services, busses, and passenger train service.
Air
Air travel is an important component of island life. One of the world's largest concentrations of float planes (private, charter and scheduled) transport tens of thousands of people annually from harbour to harbour and to and from lakes and inlets. More than 60 scheduled daily flights connect Vancouver Island with mainland destinations. Flights originate from Victoria International Airport (30 km or 19 mi north of Victoria) and from the downtown area.
Air Canada
Toll Free: 1-888-247-2262
16 daily flights linking Vancouver and Victoria airports and Seattle and Victoria airports.
Helijet Airways
Victoria: (250) 382-6222
Vancouver: (604) 273-1414
Toll Free: 1-800-665-4354
22 jet helicopter flights daily between Vancouver and Victoria - Downtown to Downtown.
3 flights daily Victoria to Seattle. Ogden Point to Boeing Field.
Harbour Air
Victoria: (250) 385-2203
8-10 daily seaplane flights between Victoria and Vancouver harbours.
Pacific Coastal Air
1-800-663-2872 or (250) 655-6411
6 daily fights between Victoria and Vancouver airports as well as service to the West Coast of BC and other Vancouver Island Communities.
Vancouver International Airport - YVR
Vancouver International is a major hub for travellers from all around the globe. From Vancouver, you can connect to all transportation services operating to the Island and in and out of the Province. Visit the new web site for more information.
Victoria International Airport - YYJ
Several airlines operate daily connector flights to/from Victoria international Airport. The airport is approximately 10 miles north of the city proper so expect a $35 - $40 taxi fare. The AKAL Airporter(a shuttle bus) that leaves periodically throughout the day that will drop you at selected sites within the downtown area for around $20. Limousine service is also available.
Buses
B.C. Transit
Telephone: (250) 382-6161
Local bus service is provided by B.C. Transit. You can pick up the Rider's Guide with schedules and routes free from merchants, information booths, or on the bus.
Pacific Coach Lines
1-800-661-1725
Pacific Coach Lines operates a daily scheduled service onboard all scheduled BC Ferries' sailings between Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia.
Ferry
Regular, frequent ferry and high-speed catamaran service connects the island to mainland B.C. and Washington state. The trip itself is a holiday as the ships weave a path past myriad forested islands. Marine life, including orca (killer whales) and seals, are often spotted. Victoria's arrival points are the Inner Harbour, the town of Sidney, and Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal (30 minutes from Victoria near Sidney).
B.C. Ferry Corporation
Victoria: (250) 386-3431
Extensive passenger/vehicle ferry system linking the B.C. Mainland with Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Hourly sailings in summer months; 7 am - 10 pm, odd hours in the winter months 7 am - 9 pm. Travel time between Tsawwassen (Vancouver) and Swartz Bay (Victoria) is 1 hr. 35 mins.
Vancouver Island Black Ball Transport M.V. Coho Ferry
Victoria: (250) 386-2202
Port Angeles: (360) 457-4491
Passenger/vehicle ferry service.4 daily sailings between Port Angeles and Victoria May to October. Two sailings per day March to May & Oct. - Nov. One sailing per day Nov. - Feb. Travel time is 1.5 hrs.
Victoria Clipper
1-800-888-2535/ (206) 448-5000 or
(250) 382-8100.
4 daily summer sailings between Seattle & Victoria. One daily sailing in winter. Passengers only. Travel time between Seattle's Pier 69 and Victoria's Inner Harbour varies from 1.45 hrs. to 3hrs.
Victoria - San Juan Cruises
1-800-443-4552
One sailing daily, passenger service from Bellingham, WA. to Victoria's Inner Harbour, June through Oct. 1. Travel time is 3 hrs.
Washington State Ferries - Anacortes Ferry
(250) 381-1551 or (206) 464-6400
Anacortes, WA. to Sidney, B.C. (17 miles N.E. of Vic). One sailing daily, minimum of two during summer. Travel time is 3 hrs.
More comprehensive information on Victoria city please visit Tourism Victoria website.
This page was last modified on: October 10, 2008. 03:35 pm