Vancouver

The early roots of Vancouver can be traced to a small 1860s town which sprung to life to serve the prospectors of the 1860s Cariboo Gold Rush. The town developed rapidly as a important west coast port, thanks to its rich economy based on the natural resources of timber, minerals, farming and fishing. The connurbation was officially named the city of Vancouver in 1886.

Vancouver is a great place for the tourist to vist. There are several man-made attractions such as the Vancouver Lookout, the Maritime Museum and the Arts Gallery, but pride of place must go to the grand landscape and nature.

Take a ferry boat to the North Shore to walk across the Capilano Suspension Bridge, an improbably long swinging footbridge high above the Capilano river. After the bridge, try the Treetops adventure - scramble along aerial walks high above the floor. It's a wonderful way to see the grand trees of the temperate rain forest close up.

If you can't afford to make the trip up north to one of several 'wildnerness' lodges on the rugged west coast, and you'd like to see a Grizzly, make the short trip up to the top of Grouse Mountain. It's only 20 minutes from downtown, then a short time in the 'Skyride' to the Alpine Station. This is a super ski resort in winter, and an activities centre in summer. You can see the bears, and some wolves in the 5 acre Refuge for Endangered Species.

Then there's the wildlife in the ocean. Take a Whale Watching trip (wrap up warm), and witness the magnificent moment when a huge tail fluke breaks the water, before slowly resubmerging.