West Vancouver
| West Vancouver | |||
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 West Vancouver from Stanley Park seen from |
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 coat of arms |
 flag |
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| Location in British Columbia | |||
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| State : |
 Canada
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| Province : | British Columbia | ||
| Regional District : | Metro Vancouver | ||
| Coordinates : | 49 ° 20 ′ N , 123 ° 11 ′ W | ||
| Area : | 87.26 km² | ||
| Residents : | 42,694 (as of 2011) | ||
| Population density : | 489.3 inhabitants / km² | ||
| Time zone : | Pacific Time ( UTC − 8 ) | ||
| Postal code : | V7P - V7W | ||
| Foundation : | 1912 (incorporated) | ||
| Mayor : | Michael Smith | ||
 Location in the Metro Vancouver area |
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West Vancouver is a district municipality in the southwest of the Canadian province of British Columbia . It is located northwest of Vancouver , belongs to the Metro Vancouver district and is one of three parishes in the North Shore region (literally: north shore ).
geography
The city is in a scenic location on the southern slopes of the North Shore Mountains . At Point Atkinson, the Georgia Strait branches into the two fjords of Burrard Inlet and Howe Sund . The highest point is Mount Strachan, 1432 meters high, in the middle of the Cypress Mountain winter sports area . Large parts of the urban area are under nature protection. While Cypress Provincial Park is popular with skiers, snowboarders, hikers, and mountain bikers, the Whytecliff Park area is considered to be one of the best diving locations in western Canada.
history
In 1792, Captain George Vancouver reached Point Atkinson. In 1875 the first lighthouse was built at Point Atkinson . The surrounding sawmills used the area to cut trees. After the West Vancouver Transportation Company set up a ferry service over to Vancouver in 1909 , the largely untouched area was discovered as an attractive residential area.
On March 15, 1912, the North Vancouver District was separated and the city of West Vancouver was officially founded. Associated with it was the recognition of local self-government (incorporated). At that time there were already 1500 inhabitants living here.
In 1926 the city council passed an ordinance banning all industry in the West Vancouver area. The Lions Gate Bridge , which opened in 1938, provided better accessibility and a further increase in population that continues to this day. In 1950, Canada's first shopping mall opened in West Vancouver , the Park Royal Shopping Center .
Demographics
The 2011 census showed the city had a population of 42,694. The population only increased by 1.3% compared to the 2006 census, while the population in the entire province of British Columbia grew by 7.0% at the same time. The median age of the residents is 49.9 years (men = 49.1, women 50.6) and thus significantly above that of the entire province (41.9 years) and also above that of the entire country (40.6 years).
economy
West Vancouver is almost entirely residential with a few downtown shops; There are no industrial companies. In terms of real estate prices, West Vancouver is considered one of the most expensive communities in Canada, as the average income of the residents is well above that of the rest of the province.
The median income of all employees in West Vancouver in 2005 was well above the average of C $ 33,807 , while at the same time the average for the entire province of British Columbia was only C $ 24,867. The difference in income between men (45,778 C $; provincial average = 31,598 C $) and women (27,710 C $; provincial average = 19,997 C $) shows slight gender-related abnormalities. Male employees earn well above average both in comparison to the provincial average of all employees (1.36 times) and in comparison only to male employees in the province (1.85 times). It is noticeable that women from West Vancouver not only earn more than the average for all women in the province (1.39 times), but also more than the provincial average for all employees (1.11 times).
The most important branches of employment for the residents are in the areas of research, teaching and development as well as in the health and social sectors. The majority of these employees, however, do not work in West Vancouver, but in neighboring cities and communities, particularly in Vancouver.
traffic
Highway 1 , a freeway-like section of the Trans-Canada Highway, runs through the city . This ends at the Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal , from where the ferries of the company BC Ferries operate to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island and to Bowen Island . Furthermore, the results Highway 99 , which from here north Sea-to-Sky Highway is, through the urban area.
West Vancouver is served by bus routes operated by West Vancouver Blue Bus , which is part of the TransLink transport association . It is the oldest continuously running municipal transportation company in North America and the first to be 100% wheelchair accessible.
sons and daughters of the town
- Meghan Black (born 1978), actress
- Stefanie Fleckenstein (* 1997), ski racer
- Andrew Lord (born 1985), ice hockey player
- John Negrin (born 1989), ice hockey player
- Griffin Reinhart (* 1994), ice hockey player
- Morgan Rielly (born 1994), ice hockey player
- Serinda Swan (* 1984), actress and model
See also
Web links
- West Vancouver ( English, French ) In: The Canadian Encyclopedia .
- Official website
- West Vancouver Museum and Archives
Individual evidence
- ↑ Statistics Canada (2011 Census). West Vancouver District Municipality Profile , accessed July 18, 2012
- ↑ community facts. BCStats , accessed April 9, 2014 .