Vancouver is on the West Coast of Canada in between the coastal mountains and the Pacific Ocean, just north of the Washington State border. With this combination of ocean currents and mountains, Vancouver enjoys mild temperatures year round from low 20's Celsius (high 70's Fahrenheit) to 0º to 5º Celsius (mid 40's Fahrenheit).

Vancouver was settled before 1875 and originally called Granville. As a result of immigration caused by the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush, it developed rapidly from a small lumber mill town into a thriving city. It was incorporated in 1886, after a rail link was built, and named in honor of Capt. George Vancouver, a British navigator who led an expedition to the coasts of Australia, New Zealand, the Hawaiian Islands and the Pacific coast of North America.

With an estimated population of 583,296, Vancouver is highly multicultural and multilingual with its people speaking many different languages and following the traditions of their native lands. After English and Chinese, the most common mother tongue languages spoken are Punjabi, German, Italian, French, Tagalog (Filipino) and Spanish. More than half of Vancouver's school-age children are raised speaking a language other than English.

The units of currency in Canada are the Canadian dollar (C$) and the cent, in almost the same denominations as U.S. currency. Most Greater Vancouver establishments accept US dollars and Japanese yen, and usually offer reasonable exchange rates. The effect of the Canadian dollar's value against the US dollar is that Canada is a good bargain for Americans and several other countries.

Vancouver is consistently ranked one of the three most livable cities in the world due to its vibrant economy and outstanding natural beauty. A first time experience may remind one of a North American city but Vancouver has strong influences from both Europe and Asia.

A resident of Vancouver is called a "Vancouverite" and the city is one of the safest cities in North America. Its Chinatown is the third largest in North America.

Vancouver is proud to be the Host City of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games which will include 17 days of Olympic Game Events from February 12th to 28th, and 10 days of Paralympic Game Events from March 12th to 21st, 2010.

Vancouver is the largest city and chief port on Canada's Pacific coast. The city has grown to its current status as Canada's third largest city. Vancouver's economy is fast-growing, especially in the areas of high-tech, tourism, financial services, film production, education and natural resources.