British Columbia is one of 13 provinces and territories of Canada located in the west coast region of the country. It is third-most populous province, known for its diverse landscape of mountains, forests, and coastline , with an economy based on natural resources, tourism, film production.
British Columbia, or BC, is a province located in Canada on the West coast that is considered part of the Pacific Northwest, along with two states in the US - Washington and Oregon. The capital of the province is Victoria- named after the British Queen in 1858. Additionally, the largest city in British Columbia is Vancouver. The northern areas further into the province have a subarctic climate, while further south - and particularly the coastal areas - are generally milder. British Columbia is the westernmost province of Canada and bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west, the US state Alaska to the northwest, Yukon and the Northwest Territories to the north, Alberta to the east and the US states Montana, Idaho and Washington to the south.
British Columbia has a varied climate based on its geography:
• Northern Region
Subarctic climate with long, harsh winters and shorter, cooler summers.
• Southern Region
Milder climate, particularly in coastal areas, with moderate temperatures.
• Coastal Region
Coastal areas experience weather influenced by ocean currents, with more moderate temperatures and increased precipitation.
Leading forestry sector with significant mining and natural gas production in the north.
Thriving tech sector in Vancouver, focusing on software, gaming, and digital media.
Major salmon fishing industry and fruit growing in the Okanagan Valley.
Diverse manufacturing sector including shipbuilding, aerospace, and food processing.
Average Age
42 years
Median Age
43 years
Female (50.5%)
Male (49.5%)
The 2021 census found the racial and ethnic composition of British Columbia was:
White (59.6%)
Chinese (12.1%)
South Asian (9.8%)
Filipino (4.2%)
Indigenous (3.9%)
Southeast Asian (2.4%)
Latin American (1.9%)
Black (1.4%)
Arab (0.7%)
Other (4.0%)
English (84.2%)
Chinese (8.1%)
Other (7.7%)
Average Household Income
$84,100
Median Household Income
$73,000
Poverty Rate
11.2%
First Nations peoples including the Coast Salish, Haida, and Tsimshian developed rich cultures along the Pacific Coast.
Captain James Cook became the first European to land on British Columbia's coast, beginning the maritime fur trade.
The Fraser River Gold Rush brought thousands of prospectors and led to the establishment of the Colony of British Columbia.
British Columbia joined Canadian Confederation as the sixth province after Canada promised to build a transcontinental railway.
The completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway connected British Columbia to the rest of Canada.
Vancouver emerged as Canada's gateway to Asia-Pacific trade and a major center for technology, film production, and immigration.
