Issue link: http://read.canadatravelguides.ca/i/651528
TRAVEL GUIDE TO CANADA " B eautiful British Columbia." Even the licence plates acknowledge just how scenic Canada's westernmost province is. But that beauty runs more than just skin deep. This is also a place with a strong economy that has evolved from a tough resource-based past to a future based on trade, technology and tolerance. Its cities are progressive, multicultural and eco- friendly. Its culture is a laid-back blend of Aboriginal, European and Asian traditions that are deliciously refl ected in an excep- tional cuisine. No wonder so many visitors come here for the scenery, but end up staying for the lifestyle. Now that's beautiful. AROUND VANCOUVER Vancouver is the province's biggest city, a modern, multicultural metropolis that is regularly rated one of the world's most livable cities. Bordered by mountains and ocean, it has an easygoing lifestyle that combines outdoor adventure with urban sophistication. It is home to Canada's largest and busiest port, as well as thriving fi lm, tech, tourism and green industries. It is also a centre for culinary excellence, best known for its obsession with fresh, seasonal farm-to-table ingredients. From Vancouver, it's just a short drive to the farming com- munities of Fraser Valley, the exceptional Asian cuisine of Richmond and the seaside communities of the Sunshine Coast. ISLANDS Along the Pacifi c coast lie a series of idyllic isles. Vancouver Island, a two-hour ferry ride from the mainland, is home to B.C.'s historic capital city, Victoria, as well as vineyards, mountain parks and the surfi ng mecca of Tofi no. Between Vancouver Island and the mainland are the Gulf Islands, populated by a quirky mix of artisans and fi sher folk. Further north is Haida Gwaii, a remote archipelago known for its unspoiled natural beauty and traditional Aboriginal culture. MOUNTAINS Think of B.C. as wave upon wave of towering mountain ranges: the Coastal Mountains, Cascades, Selkirks, Kootenays and Rockies, just to name a few. Those mountains are not only scenic, they are also popular destinations for outdoors enthusi- asts of all sorts. Many are located in the province's more than 1,000 parks and protected areas. Many others, like Whistler Blackcomb, Sun Peaks and Big White, are world-class ski resorts with full-service villages and year-round activities, including dozens of top-notch golf courses. INTERIOR The bucolic Thompson and Okanagan valleys stretch through the middle of the POPULATION: ,, CAPITAL CITY: Victoria PROVINCIAL WEBSITE: www.hellobc.com INTERNATIONAL GATEWAYS: Victoria international airport, 25 km (16 mi.) from downtown Vancouver international airport, 15 km (9 mi.) from downtown abbotsford international airport, 5 km (3 mi.) from downtown and 64 km (40 mi.) from Vancouver Kelowna international airport, 12 km (7 mi.) from downtown Prince Rupert Haida Gwaii (formerly Queen Charlotte Islands) VanCoUVer • SHUtterStoCK/LiSSanDra MeLo