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Richmond
Richmond is located on the south-west side of the Lower Mainland
of British Columbia situated across the Fraser River from Vancouver
and New Westminster. Richmond
is located in the middle of two arms of the Fraser River where it
forms Lulu Island.
Canada's
Healthiest City
According to a study published in Canadian Living, Richmond
is home to Canada's Healthiest City. The municipality is full of
lots of fresh air, good fresh food nature, walking trails found
in wildlife sanctuaries throughout the area and tremendous community
spirit noticed everywhere.
2010
Winter Olympics
Richmond hosted a number of events at the 2010 Winter Olympics.
The Olympic Oval Speed Skating track, which highlighted the world's
best, will be passed on as a legacy for future generations. You
can view this beautiful piece of waterfront property and building
on River Road near the airport.
Fraser
River
Richmond's economy and past heritage historically revolved around
the agriculture found in the fertile soil and fishing industries
because of the location next to the Strait of Georgia and the Fraser
River. You can still find large farms in production towards the
east on No. 4 and No. 5 Roads. Large canneries were situated along
the south arm of the Fraser River near Steveston.
Asian
Population
Richmond has a large Asian population, a product of the fishing
canneries from British Columbia's past who employed a large Japanese
and Chinese work force for the canneries that used to line the Fraser
River. Today you can find this vibrant culture working together
in forming a community of great cultural diversity.
Steveston
On the south side of Richmond, you will find the old fishing village
community of Steveston. Here you can find a boardwalk along the
river's edge with fishmongers selling the latest catch, fish boats,
outdoor cafés and restaurants. A couple of favourite eateries
are Pajo's, Dave's Fish and Chips and the local Starbucks.
Gulf
of Georgia Cannery
Also situated along the waterfront in Steveston is a National Historic
Site, the Gulf of Georgia Cannery. Here you can look into Steveston's
vibrant economic past when the riverfront was alive with fishing
boats, sailors and industrial development from the shipyards.
Britannia
Heritage Shipyard
Another prime example of this past fishing heritage is found at
the Britannia Heritage Shipyard. A real treat for photographers,
the shipyard brings together a wide array of artifacts depicting
wooden ship building along the Fraser River. If you can check out
the display concerned with 'rum running' into Washington State waters
and Steveston's checkered past from 1920 to 1933.
Lansdowne
and Richmond Centres
For shopping, Richmond has a number of malls including Lansdowne
and Richmond Centres, two major shopping malls. Lansdowne and Richmond
Centres are conveniently located and only five minutes south from
the Vancouver International Airport. Other malls such as Aberdeen
Centre and Parker Place Shopping Centre specialize in the Asian
market and offer some excellent bargains on some hard-to-find articles.
'Big
Box'
Richmond is also home to a large number of 'Big Box' stores mostly
situated off Bridgeport Road. Some familiar names include Ikea,
furniture stores and a Costco that sometimes test market introductory
products into the Canadian marketplace.
Richmond
Night Market
The Richmond Night market is a real innovative way of offering you
a real shopping and eating experience. Full of vibrant excitement
and exotic smells in the air pulsating to full capacity, the market
can offer you succulent foods and unique products to try. The Richmond
Night Markets brings the diverse cultural makeup of the Lower Mainland
together making it a night to remember.
Richmond
Sockeyes
For local entertainment for sports fans, a real favourite is watching
the local Richmond Sockeyes Junior Hockey Club in action. Richmond
Sockeyes are part of the Pacific International Junior Hockey League
(PIJHL) and offer exciting entertainment at a reasonable cost to
the family.
River
Rock Casino
Richmond is home to one of the Lower Mainland's biggest casino at
River Rock. Conveniently situated near the north arm of the Fraser,
River Rock features top entertainers, gaming and a beautiful hotel
and has easy access to Vancouver International Airport and Hwy 99.
Crossing
the Fraser River
To get to Richmond you can cross the Fraser River at a number of
locations. If you are coming from Vancouver, there are the Knight
Street, Oak Street or the Arthur Laing Bridges. If you are coming
from the USA border and south Surrey, use the George Massey Tunnel
on Hwy 99. Coming from north Surrey, the Alex Fraser Bridge and,
from New Westminster, the Queensborough Bridge.
Vancouver
International Airport (YVR)
The Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is located in Richmond's
west side just across the north arm of the Fraser River from Vancouver's
Marpole district. Coming from Vancouver, travel south on Granville
Street to the Alex Fraser Bridge, go over the bridge then watch
for the signs to the airport.
Canada
Line
The future of public transportation to Richmond is showing great
promise especially with the building of the new Canada Line for
the 2010 Olympics. Stations along the Canada Line will have four
in Richmond plus three on Sea Island connecting all of Richmond
and Vancouver International Airport with downtown Vancouver at Waterfront
Station.
Information
on Richmond
Food
and Drink
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