Vancouver
Vancouver is located in the Lower Mainland and is bordered by the communities of Burnaby in the east, Richmond in the south and, over Burrard Inlet, the City of North Vancouver, the District of North Vancouver and West Vancouver, the latter three commonly called the North Shore.

Natural Boundaries
Vancouver, the host of the 2010 Winter Olympics, is British Columbia's financial centre and largest city for population. Vancouver is defined by the natural boundaries of the north arm of the Fraser River, the Strait of Georgia and a natural harbour that, in time, shaped its destiny in becoming one of North America's busiest port cities, especially for the export of grain.

Culturally Diverse Neighbourhoods
Vancouver is made up of a number of distinct communities, each having a culturally diverse neighbourhood and distinct history. The communities of Vancouver include Downtown Vancouver, the West End, Yale Town, Granville Island, the Downtown Eastside, East Vancouver, Broadway, Langara, Killarney, Shaughnessy, Kerrisdale, Kitsilano, Point Grey/UBC, South-East Marine Drive and Marpole.

Downtown Vancouver
Downtown Vancouver contains a high number of high-rise office towers situated along the West Hastings, West Pender, Georgia and Burrard Streets. Throughout the office towers, there are a large selection of luxury hotels, nightclubs and restaurants. Downtown Vancouver also offers a wide variety of shopping with specialty stores along fashionable Robson Street and the mall at Pacific Centre.

West End
Located north-west of Downtown Vancouver is the West End which borders onto Stanley Park. The West End is home to a large population of gay and alternative lifestyle people featuring a number of ethnic and diverse restaurants, coffee shops and inviting cafés. The main area for you to explore includes Denman, Davie and Beach Streets, especially near English Bay.

Yaletown
Yaletown is east of the West End and is Vancouver's newest upscale neighbourhoods. At one time an area of manufacturing and warehouse district, Yaletown has been transformed since the arrival of Expo 89 into a desired living place for upscale urbanites all within close proximity to entertainment at General Motors Place, BC Place Stadium and Chinatown.

Chinatown
Just east of downtown Vancouver is where you'll find North America's second-largest Chinatown. Situated mostly on Keefer and Pender Streets, Chinatown offers you a wide variety of restaurants, fresh-produce markets, novelty stores, fascinating architecture and traditional Chinese herbalist stores. Chinatown also presents you with the fabulous Dr. Sun-Yat-Sen Chinese Classical Garden and Park.

Vancouver Attractions
Vancouver is home to some of British Columbia's most visited attractions, entertainment, festivals and amusements centres. Some favourites include the PNE, H.R. Macmillan Space Centre, Science World, the Museum of Anthropology at UBC and the VanDusen Botanical Garden. Vancouver is also well known for the number of parks and green space found throughout the area.

British Columbia's Most Visited Park
One place that you'll have to visit is British Columbia's one of the most treasured and visited park, Stanley Park. The entrance to Stanley Park is situated north-west of the West End off Georgia Street or coming from West or North Vancouver, the first exit off Lions Gate Bridge to Prospect Point.

Stanley Park
In Stanley Park you can find the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre, Stanley Park Zoo and 8.8 km (5.5 miles) seawall. Throughout the park there are a number of swimming beaches, lush forests, ocean views, botanical gardens plus and for kids, the famous Miniature Train ride.

Sandy Beaches
For people who love the ocean waterfront, Vancouver has a number of areas where you can enjoy sailing, boating, swimming in the summer to walking and beachcombing along wide expanses of sandy or rocky beaches. Some favourites include the Second and Third Beaches in Stanley Park, English Bay in the West End, Kitsilano Beach, Jericho Beach, Spanish Banks and an optional-clothing area at Wreck Beach near UBC.

Major Sports Teams in Vancouver
Vancouver is host to British Columbia's major sports teams which include the Vancouver Canucks who play in the NHL at Rogers Arena, the BC Lions who play in the CFL at BC Place, Vancouver Canadians baseball team and the Vancouver Giants who were 2007 Memorial Champions and who play hockey at the Vancouver Coliseum located near the PNE in East Vancouver.

Close By Landmarks
If you are visiting from out of town and staying in Vancouver, try and get out to see other close by landmarks including Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, Capilano Suspension Bridge and Grouse Mountain in the District of North Vancouver and Ambleside Beach and seawall in West Vancouver. Also, for a spectacular view of Vancouver Harbour, take the SeaBus from the north end of Seymour Street over to the City of North Vancouver and the Quay Market.

Vancouver Information and Links
Includes; Travel, Recreation, Sport Teams, Accommodation, Places to Eat and First Nations

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Vancouver Grain Terminal

Downtown Vancouver

Canada Place

Lunch Time Vancouver Style

Fish Boats

Stanley Park

Kitsilano Beach

Vancouver Harbour