With its mild temperatures and plentiful sunshine, Victoria BC real estate boasts gardens that include many plant species rarely found elsewhere in Canada. Lovely gardens ensconce beautiful homes in Victoria's neighborhoods of Burnside, Downtown, Fairfield, James Bay, Fernwood, Harris Green, North Jubilee, North Park, Oaklands, Rockland, South Jubilee, Victoria West, and areas called Chinatown, Rock Bay, Oak Bay Border, Uplands, Songhees, and Selkirk in every price range.
Located on the southeastern tip of Vancouver Island real estate, overlooking the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the City of Victoria as the capital of British Columbia has a population of approximately 80,000. Two-hundred seventy thousand more live in outlying areas. Victoria is also a global tourist destination with a popular cruise-ship port. The mild climate, beautiful scenery, cultural and historical venues, year-round golfing, and a casual lifestyle have magnetized a large retired population. Downtown serves the great region with large public events such as Canada Day fireworks and Symphony Splash concerts that draw tens of thousands. The city is also a destination for major conventions, meetings, sports events, and conferences.
Beacon Hill Park is the central city's main urban green space, a popular place to play cricket. Its area of 75 hectares adjacent to the southern shore includes numerous playing fields, manicured gardens, exotic species of plants and animals such as wild peacocks, a petting zoo, and views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Olympic mountain range.
The skyline features buildings such as the British Columbia Parliament Buildings, The Empress Hotel, the gothic Christ Church Cathedral, and the Royal British Columbia Museum. The Emily Carr House, Royal London Wax Museum, Victoria Bug Zoo, Market Square, and the Pacific Undersea Gardens along with the oldest Chinatown in Canada are located within downtown.
Within walking distance are The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, Craigdarroch Castle, Government House, and numerous other buildings of historic importance. The Butchart Gardens are one of the biggest tourist attractions on Vancouver Island, and other fascinating points of interest such as the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, the Victoria Butterfly Gardens, Centre of the Universe planetarium, the Royal British Columbia Museum, and the large Western Speedway draw residents and visitors alike. The Victoria Symphony, Opera Victoria, the Victoria Philharmonic Choir, the Belfry Theatre, and other regional theatre venues, and Royal Canadian Artillery Band add high notes to the region.
The Greater Victoria School District serves the families and offers the popular French immersion program in addition to programs in English. Numerous private schools are located in the city and in the municipalities adjacent to the city. Three public post secondary educational institutions—University of Victoria, Camosun College, and Royal Roads University—along with several private vocational schools, English-training schools, and a specialty school called the University Canada West serve the area. The current major sporting and entertainment complex is the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre arena, a happening place for several professional sports teams.
Prior to the arrival of the Europeans in the late 1700s, the Coast Salish peoples including the Songhees lived in the area. In 1849 when the crown colony was established, it created a town for its capital. The population grew overnight during the 1858 gold rush and became a city in 1862. Now almost 150 years later, the rich history of the region remains priceless.
So, come see for yourself. Come via the International Airport, helicopter and seaplane flights to the Inner Harbor, via BC Ferries or an international ferry with car ferry service. Drive the Canada's Trans-Canada Highway to its zero mile-marker where double-decker buses now wind their way through the streets.
Articles © Copyright 2006 by NanaimoRealEstateTeam.com
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