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Vancouver Island facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Vancouver Island, with Lasqueti Island highlighted
A map of Vancouver Island, showing the location of Vancouver and Victoria.

Vancouver Island is an island that is part of the province of British Columbia in Canada. It is 31,285 square kilometres (12,079 sq mi) big and is in the south-western part of the province.

The first people to live on the island, before Europeans came, were the Nuu-chah-nulth, Salish, and Kwakiutl. As of 2009, over 700,000 people live here.

There are no bridges or tunnels between Vancouver Island and the mainland. There are ferries that carry people and cars to and from the island. One route crosses the Strait of Georgia to the Tsawwassen peninsula, from which there are roads that go to Vancouver and other cities in Canada as part of the Trans-Canada Highway. Another ferry route crosses the Strait of Juan de Fuca and reaches Anacortes in the U.S. state of Washington, from which roads go to Seattle and other cities along the West Coast.

Cities and towns

There are many cities and towns on Vancouver Island. The biggest of these is Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, where the Legislative Assembly and the University of Victoria are found.

Other places on Vancouver Island where people live include:

Images for kids

  • Edward S. Curtis, Kwakiutl bridal group, British Columbia, 1914

    A Kwakwakaʼwakw wedding ceremony in 1914

  • DionisioAlcaláGalianoAnónimoSigloXIX

    Dionisio Alcalá Galiano was the first European to circumnavigate Vancouver Island

  • The Great Seal of Colony of the Island of Vancouver and its Dependencies

    The Great Seal of the Island of Vancouver and its Dependencies was designed by Benjamin Wyon, Chief Engraver of Her Majesty's Seals, c. 1849. The symbolic badge he designed was the basis for the flag of Vancouver Island, which is still unofficially flown today.

  • Ghinde2

    The centre of Vancouver Island contains high mountains, such as Golden Hinde.

  • Mossy trees Vancouver Island

    The western side of Vancouver Island hosts a rainforest.

  • View from Mount Maguire, East Sooke Regional Park, British Columbia, Canada 11

    View from Mount Maguire towards Washington

  • Island Population Distribution

    Vancouver Island population based on gender

  • Campsite at Mystic Beach, Vancouver Island, Canada

    Campsite at Mystic Beach

  • Spirit of vi 3

    BC Ferries MV Spirit of Vancouver Island, en route from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Isla de Vancouver para niños

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