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| October 20-22, 2009 | Victoria, British Columbia | Canada |
Victoria
About Victoria
Photo Credit: Gary Webster / Tourism Victoria
Named after Queen Victoria, the City of Victoria is the capital of the province of British Columbia, Canada. Located on Southern Vancouver Island, the Victoria metropolitan area (a.k.a. the Saanich Peninsula) is home to almost 400,000 people.
Victoria is regarded by many as Canada's most beautiful city and hosts almost 4 million visitors each year. The city is also a popular cruise ship port and a gateway to the Pacific Rim. Nearby Esquimalt is the home port of Canada's Pacific naval fleet.
Downtown Victoria is famous for its nightlife and relaxed attitude. The Tall Ships Festival is an annual event that brings windjammers from around the world to the region.
History
Prior to the visits of Spaniard Juan Perez in 1774 and British Captain James Cook in 1778, the Saanich Peninsula had been settled by Coast Salish aboriginal peoples for centuries. A trading post of the Hudson's Bay Company was established in 1843 and the future town of Victoria was laid out in 1849. Vancouver Island was politically joined with the mainland in 1866, and Victoria became the provincial capital when British Columbia joined the Canadian Confederation in 1871.
Climate
Photo Credit: Nick Redding / Tourism Victoria
Victoria has a typical west coast climate with mild, damp winters and relatively dry and mild summers. On average, only two days per year experience temperatures below -5°C (23°F) or above 30°C (86°F). Unlike coastal rainforest regions to the north, Victoria experiences little precipitation in the summer and fall. In fact, Victoria's rainfall is less than 50% of that of Vancouver, and approximately 2/3 of that of Seattle. The city receives 2,223 hours of sun per year which makes Victoria the driest metropolitan area in Canada during the summer months.
This temperate climate makes Victoria one of Canada's most popular travel and retirement destinations. The local flora includes drought-resistant Garry oak, arbutus, eucalyptus and certain species of palm trees.
Economy and Education
Photo Credit: Dylan Hoen / Tourism Victoria
Victoria is home to the University of Victoria, Royal Roads University and Camosun College.
Main industries are high technology, tourism, education, as well as federal and provincial government installations. The Southern Vancouver Island high technology sector is the largest and most diversified outside the Lower Mainland (Greater Vancouver) area. Esquimalt Harbour hosts the largest Graving Dock on the west coast.
