| Vancouver Island | |
|---|---|
| [250px] | |
| Largest City | Greater Victoria (344,615) |
| Capital | Victoria (de facto) |
| Population | 759,366 |
| Area | 31,285 km2 km² |
| Highest Point | Golden Hinde 2,195m (7,201 ft) m |
Vancouver Island is the largest island in Cascadia. Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, is located at the southern end of the island. It was named, like the cities of Vancouver BC and Vancouver, Washington, after George Vancouver, the British Royal Navy Officer who explored the coastal regions of Cascadia between 1791 and 1794.
The island was politically established as the British Colony of Vancouver Island in 1949. 1866 saw the Union of the Two Colonies, with Vancouver Island and the mainland Colony of British Columbia. The colony was later addmitted into the Canadain Confederation in 1871 and the sixth province.
Population
The Island's 3/4 of a million people are mostlky settled along the eastern coast. Major centres include:
Greater Victoria 359,991
Greater Nanaimo 98,021
Westshore 68,000
Comox Valley 55,213
Cowichan Valley 43,252
Campbell River 36,461
Ocenside 27,822
Alberni Valley 25,465
Military
CFB Esquimalt - Naval facility
CFB Comox - Air base
Royal Roads University - formerlly Royal Roads Military College
Sports
Hockey:
Major Jr. - WHL - Victoria Royals (WHL)
Jr. A - BCHL - Island Division: Victoria Grizzlies, Cowichan Valley Capitals, Nanaimo Clippers, Alberni Valley Bulldogs, Powell RIver Kings
Jr. B - VIJHL - Victoria Cougars, Saanich Braves, Peninnsula Eagles, Westshore Wolves, Kerry Park Islanders, Nanaimo Buccaneers, Oceanside Generals, Comox Valley Glacier Kings, Campbell River Storm
Fromer teams: Victoria Cougars (Stanley Cup 1925), Victoria, Slasa, Victoria Salmon Kings, Victoria Maple Leafs, Victoria Cubs, Victoria Spiders
Baseball:Victoria Habour Cats (West Coast League) Former teams: Victoria Seals, Victoria Capitals, Victoria Mussels
Football: Westshore Rebels, Vancouver Island Raiders (BCJFL)
Lacrosse: Victoria Shamrocks Sr, Jr & Intermdiate teams
Rugby: Oak Bay Wanderers, James Bay AA, Velox Valhalans
Soccer: Victoria Highlanders, Victoria Untied Former: Victoria Vistas
University: UVic Vikes, Camosun Chargers, Vancouver Island Marriners, North Island