British Columbia is Canada's westernmost province and one of North America's most mountainous regions. B.C. is bordered by the province of Alberta, the Yukon Territory and several U.S. states, including Washington, Montana, Idaho and Alaska. Given its location, British Columbia is a gateway to the Pacific and Asia and is sometimes simply categorized as part of Canada's "West". Cut off from the rest of British North America by thousands of kilometres and a mountain range until it was linked by rail to the rest of the Confederation in 1871, the province is however a distinct region both geographically and culturally.
The dramatic, well preserved beauty of British Columbia and the Rockies' mountain ranges, forests and lakes make it a prime destination. There is a wide variety of landscapes here, from the BC Rockies with their bare peaks, to the south's BC's Interior with its ranches, orchards and vineyards. The region's temperate climate means that BC has more species of plant and animal than anywhere else in the country.
To the west, Vancouver Island offers ancient rainforest and the impressive coastal scenery of the Pacific Rim National Park and Tofino. At the southern tip of Vancouver Island, BC's capital, Victoria, is a quaint city with British heritage and has the mildest climate in the West. Between Victoria and Vancouver, the charming Gulf Islands offer a quick, countryside getaway. Lying between the Pacific Ocean and Coast Mountains, barely a century old, Vancouver is a stunningly attractive city, often voted as one of the best cities to live in the world. Whistler, which with Vancouver is one of the cities competing for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, is a 4-Season destination bursting with outdoor activities, including first-class skiing and championship golfing. Finally, Pacific Northern BC presents those who want to get away from it all with world-class fishing and wildlife viewing.
British Columbians are known for their easy, relaxed way of life, and their enthusiasm for outdoor activities. They share those with the Aboriginal peoples of British Columbia, whose rich and complex culture is fascinating and well worth discovering.
Please enjoy browsing through some of Entrée Canada's signature itineraries in the City or perhaps it's the ultimate Trip of a Lifetime that you seek, or maybe it's the right time of year for a special Ski Holiday but if any of these itineraries are not perfectly suited to your needs please contact one of our travel planning experts.
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