Vancouver is a relatively young city located in British Columbia and is the third largest city in Canada. It is growing and developing rapidly and it consistently ranks as one of the most liveable cities in the world. When judged on infrastructure and availability of goods and services, it scores highly in a number of different surveys. It is also less expensive than many top European cities.

With a stunning location on the Pacific Ocean, Vancouver is blessed with a natural beauty that is complemented by the city layout. The downtown area is located on a small peninsula, surrounded by the English Bay and the Burrard Inlet. It is separated from the southern part of the city by a creek, while the tip of the peninsular boasts Stanley Park, offering some beautiful views along the coastline and across the mountains.

Compared to some cities, Vancouver doesn't have as many attractions but visitors will find plenty of things to see to keep themselves occupied. Summer is the best time to visit as the winters can be gloomy. There is a good range of activities suitable for families as well as some excellent art galleries and notable museums. The city's prime location next to the sea and mountains means that sports lovers are well catered for.

The entertainment options are excellent, with many bars, cafés and restaurants spread across the city. The music scene is varied and there are some regular festivals featuring top names every year. Those with a taste for the arts will enjoy the offerings at several theatres.

There is no shortage of good accommodation spread over several areas. There are some particularly good luxury hotels on offer, although prices tend to be on the high side as Vancouver is one of the most expensive cities in Canada. The most popular area to stay is in the West End, which has a good choice of hotels. Little Italy and Gastown have a good range of accommodation, while Chinatown and downtown are also worth considering.

The history of the Vancouver area can be traced back over 4,000 years, with archaeological records suggesting several tribes that settled here. It wasn't until 1791 that the coastal region was explored by José María Narváez of Spain. A year later, Captain George Vancouver made his way through the First Narrows and gave places their current British names.

It wasn't until 1825 that people eventually settled in the area. Dr John McLoughlin from the Hudson Bay Company in Astoria decided that the river made a better setting for the business. He moved the headquarters of the business and named the port, Fort Vancouver.

During 1861, there was influx of people due to the Cariboo Gold Rush, with over 25,000 men arrived settling in the mouth of the Fraser River. Europeans also settled the following year at McLeery's Farm, east of Marpole. Lumbering was first established by Captain Edward Stamp, who built sawmills on the south shore of the inlet. This began a long association with the lumbering industry that lasted through to the 20th century.

The district of Gastown was originally known as Granville and was one of the first parts of the city to be developed. It grew from a tavern built by Jack Deighton, next to the Hastings Mill property. The excellent location and natural harbour led to it being chosen as the railhead terminus for the Canadian Pacific Railway.

The city developed quickly at the start of the 20th century when a rail link was built to Washington State in 1907. A few years later, a railroad bridge was constructed over the Columbia River and the Interstate Bridge was completed in 1917.

The city experienced another wave of immigration after WWII when many Europeans decided to set up home, attracted by the natural beauty and the expanding economy. Vancouver scored highly in 1986 when it successfully hosted the Expo World Fair.

Unlike many of Canada's other cities, Vancouver is comparatively mild due to its maritime climate, escaping the harsh and extreme weather seen in other areas. It is so mild that even palm tress can go grow here. The downside is that it can rain quite a lot, especially during the winter. The climate is very similar to southern parts of England.

The best time to plan a visit is during the summer months when temperatures are at their highest and the rainfall lowest. The early part of the summer is slightly cooler and the days can often start cloudy because of the proximity to the Pacific Ocean, but the skies usually clear by midday. The temperatures are comfortable, and the warmest months of July and August see the mercury climbing to an average of 22°C, occasionally climbing above 27°C.

The winter experiences considerably more rain, with more than half of the days receiving precipitation. Temperatures rarely stay below freezing for very long and the city experiences limited cold spells every year with a rare falling of snow. The undulating topography means that weather can be very localised and unpredictable. It can be raining hard in one part of the city and completely dry and sunny elsewhere. Vancouver receives visitors year round, with many people attracted by the excellent skiing at Whistler during the winter.

The spring and autumn seasons can vary with a mixture of sunshine and showers. Temperatures can reach highs of around 18°C. Fraser Valley is particularly bad as the winds blow the smog over and then it becomes trapped because of the mountains.