British Columbia: Geography and Population Distribution

Introduction

• British Columbia (BC): Canada's West Coast province
• Known for rugged fjords, incredible mountains, endless forests, and even a desert
• Despite beauty, most of BC's population is concentrated in the southwest
• Today's exploration focuses on why vast regions of BC are sparsely populated

Historical Background

Indigenous Peoples

• First Nations tribes lived in BC for millennia
• Featured tribes: Haida, Salish, Nuu-chah-nulth
• Salish people arrived 3,000-6,000 years ago

European Exploration and Colonization

• Spanish and British explored in the 1700s
• Hudson Bay Company established trading posts
• Fur trade central to early economy

Oregon Boundary Dispute

• Oregon Country claimed by Spain, Russia, Britain, and US
• Resolution in the Oregon Treaty of 1846 set the 49th parallel as the boundary
• Vancouver Island remained under British control

Gold Rush and Colony Formation

• Fraser Canyon Gold Rush (1858) led to influx of settlers
• Colonies of Vancouver Island (1849) and British Columbia (1858) formed
• United into a single colony in 1866
• Diverse population and significant potential

Physical Geography

• Stunning physical geography: Pacific coastline to Rocky Mountains
• Key areas: Vancouver Island, Haida Gwaii, and the Great Bear Rainforest

Coastal Region

• Rugged coastline, fjords, inlets, and thousands of islands
• Mille, wet climate influenced by Pacific Ocean

Interior Regions

• Coast Mountains: climatic barrier, highest peaks, glaciation
• Colombia Mountains: towering peaks, deep valleys, clear lakes
• Interior Plateau: Cariboo, Chilcotin, Okanagan Valley (desert-like in parts)

Northern Interior

• Dominated by Canadian Rockies and Cassiar Mountains
• Wild, untouched regions with significant Wildlife

Significant Rivers

• Fraser, Colombia, and Skeena Rivers vital to history and development

Population Distribution

• BC is geographically large but sparsely populated outside the southwest

Factors Contributing to Population Concentration

• Vancouver and Victoria: early colonization, economic hubs
• Vancouver: major port city, connection to Canadian Pacific Railway
• Economic opportunities: tech, film, finance
• Higher education institutions and cultural amenities

Geographical Constraints

• Rugged and mountainous terrains
• Coastal and Rocky Mountain ranges hinder development
• Interior and northern regions: harsher climates, less accessible
• Agricultural land more limited

Population Statistics

• Metro Vancouver: 2.6 million
• Victoria: ~400,000
• Kelowna: 230,000
• Abbotsford: 200,000
• Nanaimo and Kamloops: 115,000 each
• Chilliwack: 113,000
• No other metro area > 100,000

Historical Borders: Vancouver Island

• Despite extending below the 49th parallel, fully owned by Canada
• 1846 Oregon Treaty granted entire island to Britain
• Strategic naval base at Esquimalt essential

Conclusion

• BC's sparse population largely due to geographical constraints
• Major urban centers in more hospitable coastal regions
• Rich history and diverse, stunning physical geography

References

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