Colwood, British Columbia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids City of Colwood
City
Hatley Castle
Location of Colwood in British Columbia
Country	Canada
Province	BC/BCE
Region	Vancouver Island
Regional district	Capital Regional District
Incorporated	1985
Area
• City	17.66 km2 (6.82 sq mi)
Elevation	80 m (260 ft)
Population  (2011)
• City	16,093
• Density	911.2/km2 (2,360/sq mi)
• Metro	330,088 (15th)
Time zone	UTC-8 (PST)
Postal code	V9C
Area code(s)	1 + 250
Highways	1A, 14
Waterways	Strait of Juan de Fuca
Website	City of Colwood

Colwood is a city located on Vancouver Island to the southwest of Victoria, capital of British Columbia. Colwood was incorporated in 1985 and had a population of 14,687 people in 2006. Colwood lies within the boundaries of the Victoria Census Metropolitan area or Capital Regional District, in a region called the Western Communities, or the West Shore. It is one of the 13 component municipalities of Greater Victoria.

Fisgard Lighthouse in Colwood is one of Canada's National Historic Sites. There hasn't been a keeper here since the light was automated in 1929, but every year many thousands of visitors step inside a real 19th century light and capture some of the feeling of ships wrecked and lives saved.

Built by the British in 1860, when Vancouver Island was not yet part of Canada, Fisgard's red brick house and white tower has stood faithfully at the entrance to Esquimalt Harbour. Once a beacon for the British Royal Navy's Pacific Squadron, today Fisgard still marks home base for the Royal Canadian Navy.

Colwood is also home to historic Fort Rodd Hill, another Canadian National Historic Site. Built by the British in the 1890s, this coast artillery fort was designed to defend Victoria and the Esquimalt Naval Base. Visitors come to explore the three gun batteries, underground magazines, command posts, guardhouses, barracks and searchlight emplacements that are the vestiges of a bygone era.

Set on a beautiful wide open waterfront park, visitors enjoy the spectacular sea and mountain views as they picnic, bird watch and investigate the tide pools along the shoreline. And it's just a short walk to Fisgard Lighthouse.

The city has many regional amenities, including the City's waterfront at Esquimalt Lagoon which includes a National Migratory Bird Sanctuary, the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre, Bear Mountain Arena, Royal Colwood Golf Club, Olympic View Golf Club and the library facilities for the Western Communities. As it lies geographically to the south of Victoria, Colwood is western Canada's southernmost city.

Images for kids

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  Esquimalt Lagoon Sign, Colwood, British Columbia