Spotlight on British Columbia

Most beautiful place on earth
The most spectacular part of the nation
The central interior provides a sharp contrast to the south

Lush inland valleys and rugged mountains, magnificent beaches and forested islands: this western province of Canada has an abundance of natural beauty.

Most beautiful place on earth

When I sat down and began to write about British Columbia I was unsure of where to begin. How would I manage to convey everything that there is to see and do within a single page? Yes, I may be biased in saying that this province is the most beautiful place on earth; I was born here and grew up surrounded by the forests, the mountains, and the wildlife that inhabits them. But I've seen bears and deer in my backyard, swam in the Pacific, spent many afternoons hiking in the local park and only commute 15 minutes to get downtown. What other location encompasses all that? I have traveled many places, but the beauty of B.C. lures me back each time.

Canada's third largest province, British Columbia occupies almost 10% of Canada's total surface area, stretching from the Pacific Ocean eastward to the Rocky Mountains, and from the US border north to the Yukon and Northwest Territories.

For visitors, B.C.'s appeal stems from its status as the most spectacular part of the nation, with salmon-rich waters, abundant coastal scenery, and stretches of snowcapped peaks. Dotted throughout these mountains are alpine lakes, their waters such vivid hues of turquoise they appear surreal. For outdoor enthusiasts it is the place to come. They gravitate here for sports including fishing, golfing, kayaking and rafting, whale watching, hiking, camping, boating, the list goes on and on.

The most talked about and well-known site for visitors has to be Whistler mountain, a world-class ski and snowboarding center. Just a one and a half hour drive from Vancouver, it is, without a doubt, one of the finest year-round resorts there is. If you want you can actually still ski in the summer as some runs, on the glaciers high in the mountains are still open. In July and August, the average temperature is 27 degrees Celsius. The alpine meadows are flooded with the bright colours of flowers that bloom everywhere and great beaches surround the crystal clear lakes.

The southern portion of the province offers lush, fertile valleys creating the perfect environment for fruit laden trees. This area includes numerous vineyards, many offering tours and tastings, and produces many award winning wines. Many flock here during the summer season to get away from the busy cities and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere and water sports.

The central interior provides a sharp contrast to the south

The central interior provides a sharp contrast to the south. With a dry and desert like climate, temperatures soar in the summer and plummet in the winter. Gold strikes near the Fraser River opened up the area in the late 1850's. Most of the miners left the region after the gold ran out, but settlers stayed on to farm and trap. You can try your hand at panhandling for gold or visit an old homestead and get a real feel of what it was like to be a pioneer. Most of the towns have been built around resource-based industry such as mining and logging and a real sense of community exists here.

The capital of the province, Victoria, is located on Vancouver Island. The city has a very "English" feel to it and tourists will enjoy the parliament buildings, the Royal Museum, and the Butchart Gardens. Further north, Long Beach and Pacific Rim National Park are not to be missed as well as Chemainus, a town rich in Native American history. Ferries connect Vancouver Island with the mainland, operating several times a day.

Be prepared for the weather

One important piece of advice, be prepared for the weather. Most travelers have heard stories about the amount of rain encountered here and unfortunately, they bear a lot of truth. The average climate is mild in both winter and summer but the province tends to receive a greater than average amount of the wet stuff. A waterproof jacket, boots and an umbrella are necessary items when adventuring into the outdoors.

Come and experience the province known as "super natural B.C." You will agree that it really is one of the most beautiful places on earth. 10 Things you must do:

Take a tour of a winery in the Okanagan Valley
Try skiing or snowboarding at Whistler Village
Try river rafting on the Fraser River
Hike in the Rocky Mountains
Walk along the shores of Long Beach
Pan for gold in the Klondike
Go whale watching off the coast of Vancouver Island
Take a cruise up the Inside Passage, enjoying the rugged coastline
See the Royal British Columbia Museum of natural history in Victoria
Go Horseback riding in the Interior

By: Rachel Stafford
© Copyright 2001. Galt Western Personnel Ltd. Unless otherwise specified, you may reprint this article, quote from it, use it in research or projects, duplicate it or distribute it. Credit of authorship and source MUST be given to galtglobalreview.com. Ownership of Copyright remains with Galt Western Personnel Ltd.

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