Vancouver
• The first European to arrive was Spanish Lieutenant Jos Narvaez in 1791, followed by British Captain George Vancouver in 1792, the city’s namesake.

Gastown
• Some say Vancouver was founded on a pub. In 1867, the same year Canada became a country, a retired riverboat pilot named Gassy Jack built a saloon with the idea to make money selling whiskey to the loggers and millers in Burrard Inlet.
• Gassy Jack got his name because he loved to talk.
• Gastown has a historic clock powered by steam. Every quarter-hour it plays a short tune on its steam whistles, and every hour it gives a loud blast.

Vancouver Landmarks
• Stanley Park is the largest urban park in North America (1000 acres) and home to the Vancouver Aquarium and an exceptional collection of Totem Poles.
• Lion’s Gate Bridge linking Vancouver to the North Shore over Burrard Inlet was opened in 1939. The bridge is lit at night, creating a spectacular evening landmark. Lights were added in 1986 in time for the world’s fair.
• Canada Place is home to The Pan Pacific Hotel, a convention center, IMAX theatre, and cruise ship terminal. More than 1 million cruise ship passengers arrive and depart from here from late April to early October each year.
• Robson Street is at the heart of shopping in downtown Vancouver. Here you’ll find brand name merchandise in trendy retail shops lining the pedestrian friendly street.
• Granville Island located between downtown and the West Side of Vancouver was once an industrial site with lumber mills, warehouse, docks and factories. The old factories have been transformed into theatres, vegetable and flower markets, restaurants, artisan studios, galleries and a marina – and is now one of Vancouver’s most visited destinations.
• The North Shore of Vancouver is home to three local ski resorts all minutes from downtown. It is also home to the popular, Capilano Suspension Bridge and Grouse Mountain.

Vancouver Residents
• The population of Greater Vancouver is 2.1 million, which represents 51% of the population of British Columbia. The City of Vancouver is home to only 545,000 people.

Vancouver’s Movie Industry
• In 2001, 197 movies and feature films were produced in Vancouver.
• The X Files, The Outer Limits, The Scarlet Letter, Jumanji, Highlander, Legends of the Fall, The 6th Day, and Look Who's Talking Now are just of a few of the films and TV series produced in British Columbia.