Vancouver
Vancouver is a masterpiece of diversity with a wide variety of commercial and retail services ranging from large regional shopping facilities to boutiques and restaurants in the smaller shopping villages. The old architecture in the city contrasts with its modern design elements in a way that gives this area a unique look in addition to highlighting the region’s rich cultural history.
The beauty of both the sea and the mountains can be experienced in Vancouver’s attractions. The impact of melding cultures in this “cross-road of the world” is also emphasized. Overall, Vancouver’s sights, both natural and man-made continue to attract visitors from the world over.
Attractions
One of the best places to visit in Vancouver is Science World, one of Vancouver’s favourite family adventures. The wonders of science are explored with phenomenal exhibits and exciting 3D laser shows. An Imax theatre provides an added thrill in this technology experience.
As far as natural wonders goes, the Vancouver Aquarium hosts some of the most stunning varieties of sealife to be found anywhere. The Vancouver Aquarium, Canada’s first public aquarium, opened its doors on June 15, 1956. Through visionary, responsible growth programs, the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre has become the largest aquarium in Canada and one of the five largest in North America. The Aquarium is internationally recognized for excellence in display.
The Vancouver Museum is Canada’s largest civic museum. It explores the human and natural history of the Vancouver region, the Pacific Northwest Coast and Pacific Rim with exciting, ever-changing new exhibitions. The Vancouver Museum thoroughly documents the rich legacy and heritage of our diverse multicultural society through varied programs.
Of course no trip to Vancouver is complete without a trip to the Historic Gastown.
Economy
Vancouver has excellent shipping facilities and industrial activities. The port is one of North America’s busiest in terms of volume of foreign cargo handled annually. Vancouver’s large natural harbour, a regular port of call for deep sea lines, is one of the world’s finest bulk cargo handling ports and the leading dry-cargo port on the Pacific Coast because of shipments of grain, coal, potash, sulphur, asbestos, metals and other Western Canadian materials.
The Greater Vancouver area has emerged as the major manufacturing centre in British Columbia. The manufacturing industry services and supplies the province’s primary resource industries: forestry, mining and fishing. Principal products include refined non-ferrous metals, forest products, fish products and processed agricultural products. Increasingly important industries are petroleum refining, chemicals manufacturing, the manufacture of coastal vessels, fishing boats, commercial trucks and trailers, sawmill equipment, pulp and paper machinery and mining machinery.
Most head offices for province-wide business activity, financial institutions and Government agencies, are located in Vancouver. Vancouver is also becoming a production centre for motion pictures. In addition, high-tech industries such as software development, underwater transportation and engineering are growing.