Why Victoria, BC?

British Columbia remains Canada’s most politically dynamic province, and its history is one of the marginal players on the federal scene and provincial politicians with a reputation for eccentricity. Victoria is the capital city of the Canadian province of British Columbia, located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island off Canada’s Pacific coast.

Victoria, British Columbia, is full of life! Victoria has the mildest climate in Canada, with gardens that bloom all year. In fact, Victoria is known internationally as the City of Gardens. The wild beauty of the Pacific coast and adventures in the great outdoors are within city limits, and ocean and mountain vistas will follow you wherever you go.

Victoria is a year-round destination that offers a friendly, safe haven for all visitors. With an energetic and vibrant atmosphere, it is no surprise that Victoria, B.C. is one of the world’s favourite destinations.

A Few Fun Facts And Figures about Victoria:

  • National Geographic recognizes Vancouver Island as one of the best cold-water diving destinations on earth, and the renowned Jacques Cousteau Society rates the area second only to the Red Sea for diversity of marine life and water clarity.
    Victoria’s waters are home to three resident pods of orca (killer) whales totalling 76 whales.
  • The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria has the most comprehensive collection of Asian art in Canada.
  • Victoria’s Chinatown is the oldest in Canada, and Fan Tan Alley is the narrowest street in Canada.
  •  Friendly is an understatement: Victoria has been named both the Most Romantic City in Canada and one of the top 15 Friendliest Cities in the World.
  • Other accolades include: Canada’s Best City to Live in for Women, and both the Seventh Best City and Second Best Small City in the world (by international travel and
    tourism magazine, Condé Nast).
  • Strong support for all things local: Vancouver Island has over 2,800 farms, with nearly 1,000 in the Greater Victoria Region and 700 in the Cowichan Valley.
  • Victoria is one of the most bike-friendly cities in the country, with hundreds of kilometres of cycle paths, bike lanes and routes in the city, including the incomparable Galloping Goose Regional Trail.
  • Bright lights, beautiful city: As the provincial capital, the Parliament buildings have approximately 3,300 energy efficient lights, and roughly 1,600 lampposts across the city hold hanging flower baskets every Summer.
  • The world’s tallest free-standing totem pole is in Victoria’s Beacon Hill Park.
  • The Royal BC Museum, founded in 1886, is one of the foremost cultural institutions in the world.

For more information on Victoria, please visit Tourism Victoria

The average temperature in Victoria in November ranges from:

  • High: 10°C / 51 °F
  • Low: 6°C / 42 °F
  • Sunrise: 7:04 AM
  • Sunset: 5:54 PM

Victoria is in the Pacific Daylight Time Zone (PDT).

The currency in Victoria is the Canadian dollar. For today’s exchange rate, please click here.

Victoria Forum is a partnership between the University of Victoria and the Senate of Canada

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