A green and livable city
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.4 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country (after Toronto and Montréal), and the most populous in Western Canada.
According to business magazine assessments, Vancouver has ranked highly in worldwide “livable city” rankings for more than a decade, and it was acknowledged by Economist Intelligence Unit as the first city to rank among the top ten of the world’s most liveable cities for five straight years.
The City of Vancouver is renowned for its innovative programs in the areas of sustainability, accessibility, and inclusivity. In February 2009, Mayor Gregor Robertson launched the Greenest City 2020 initiative with the goal of becoming the greenest city in the world by 2020.
Learn more about Vancouver on the City of Vancouver website .
Where cultures come together
Vancouver has been dubbed a "city of neighbourhoods," each with a distinct character and ethnic mix. Since the 1980s, immigration has dramatically increased, making Vancouver one of the most ethnically and linguistically diverse places in the world. Over 52% of Vancouver’s residents do not speak English as their first language. Throughout the city and within the Regent College campus, you will notice the array of cultures and communities that have come together here on the West Coast.
Learn about the 23 communities that make up Vancouver.
Gateway to the global community
Vancouver has hosted many international conferences and events, including the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games and Expo 86. Most recently, the 2010 Winter Olympics and 2010 Winter Paralympics were held in Vancouver and nearby Whistler, a resort community 125 km (78 mi) north of the city.
While forestry remains its largest industry, Vancouver is well known as an urban centre surrounded by nature, making tourism its second-largest industry. Major film production studios in Vancouver and Burnaby have turned Metro Vancouver into the third-largest film production centre in North America after Los Angeles and New York City, earning it the film industry nickname, Hollywood North.
A beautiful landscape
The mild climate of the city and close proximity to ocean, mountains, rivers, and lakes make the area a popular destination for outdoor recreation. Vancouver has over 1,298 hectares (3,200 acres) of parks, of which Stanley Park, at 404 hectares (1,000 acres), is the largest.
The city has several beaches extending from the shoreline of Stanley Park around False Creek to the south side of English Bay, and from Kitsilano to the University Endowment Lands. These beaches are within walking distance of Regent!
The North Shore Mountains dominate the cityscape, and on a clear day, scenic vistas include the snow-capped volcano Mount Baker in the state of Washington to the southeast, Vancouver Island across the Strait of Georgia to the west and southwest, and Bowen Island to the northwest.
Explore and enjoy
Take some time to explore the beautiful city we call home.
Visit the Tourism Vancouver website for information and services focused on visitors. You'll find maps, travel guides, accommodation listings, and a comprehensive directory of Vancouver attractions and sightseeing ideas.
We also recommend the BC Passport website.
