Canada Maps

British Columbia Map

• Alberta
• British Columbia
• Manitoba
• New Brunswick
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Northwest Territories
• Nova Scotia
• Nunavut
• Ontario
• Prince Edward Island
• Quebec
• Saskatchewan
• Yukon

The mainland of British Columbia boasts world-class fishing, as well as snow-capped peaks, powder skiing, and untouched forests. Although British Columbia is about 360,000 square miles in total, making it larger than every state except for Alaska, most of the population is clustered in the Lower Mainland around its capital city Victoria, on Vancouver Island. Citizens of British Columbia claim diverse backgrounds such as Native American, British, European, and Asian.

The popular resort town of Whistler is located two hours north of Vancouver and contains the two largest ski mountains in North America. Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains are scheduled to host the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Weather varies greatly throughout the province; often wet on the North Coast and the Queen Charlotte Islands, while providing a drier interior with hot summers and snowy winters. "The North" refers to a full half of the province; little visited, but stunningly beautiful. Much of it is mountainous terrain and many areas have no roads but are only accessible by air or sea.

In Vancouver and Victoria you will find the most varied cuisine, but smaller towns, such as Whistler, are well known for their lamb, seafood, and excellent wine. Dress is casual and smoking is usually banned in most establishments. Accommodations range from luxury to bed and breakfast style rustic cabins. Outside of city limits, it is a good idea to reserve ahead of time, even for campsite space.

British Columbia is bordered on the east by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories and the Yukon Territory, on the west by the Pacific Ocean and the State of Alaska in the USA, and on the south by Washington, Idaho, and Montana in the USA.

The mildest time of year to visit British Columbia is June through September; this is also when you will find flowers in bloom, wine festivals, and the greatest number of available lodgings. Warm-weather activities include biking horseback riding, golfing, and boating, and touring wineries in the interior.

British Columbia Government Links

• City of Victoria
• Province of British Columbia
• BC Parks

British Columbia Tourism Links

• Tourism BC - Official Travel Website of British Columbia
• The Butchart Gardens
• Whistler Blackcomb Mountain Bike Park