Vancouver Guide

Vancouver is a city in the province of British Columbia, and the third largest city in Canada with just under 550,000 inhabitants. It took its name from the British navy captain George Vancouver who first came to the region in the late 18th century.

It has a number of nicknames such as Raincouver, clearly a reference to the wet climate, Vansterdam, which is due to its relatively relaxed attitude to marijuana, like Amsterdam and Hongcouver because of the large Chinese population in the city. Other names include Hollywood North for obvious reasons, V.C, and more recently Vancity and The Couve.

It'd be hard to come here and not visit the city's outstanding urban green area, Stanley Park. It measures 1000 acres and is the second largest city park on the North American continent. The Lost Lagoon nature house is home to an enormous variety of plants and birds and is a true haven for those looking for some peace and quiet. Among a number of other gardens are also various recreational facilities including a small golf course, a children's farmyard, a miniature railway, bathing beaches, a children's water park, a heated swimming pool, tennis courts, an open-air theatre and an aquarium.

Vancouver is a city made up of clearly defined neighbourhoods, each with a different make up and feel. It's a cosmopolitan city with large numbers of each of the main ethnic groups. The Chinatown here is second in size only to that of San Francisco, but you can also find Little Italy, Greektown, Punjabi Market, Koreatown and Japantown - the street signs here are in two languages so you get a real feel for being in a country within a country. Many visitors, myself included, are surprised to find a large Aborigine population here too - it is said that they came here as long as 3000 years ago. Nearly 3% of Vancouverites are of Aboriginal origin.

There's an awful lot to do in this city so if you're only here for a short time you need to get your skates on. In Chinatown on summer weekend evenings get down to Keefer and Pender Streets which are transformed into open-air night markets - you can but house ware, traditional medicines, clothes and above all, food. A visit to the Chinese Cultural Centre Museum and the Millennium Gate is worth the effort.

Next head Downtown. Go to the Vancouver Lookout - you can't miss it. It's a 50 storey tower which gives you an uninterrupted 360º view of the city. It's a great chance to get your bearings before heading off to explore. Downtown offers almost everything. You want art? Go to the acclaimed Vancouver Art gallery. Fancy a boat trip? Take a harbour cruise and see the city from a different perspective - I can assure you it's great. Don't forget your camera. Maybe shopping is more your thing. Fine - go to Robson Street. If you can't find what you're looking for there then try the Kitslano district. It's one of the trendiest parts of the city with unique shops and cool bars and restaurants. If you still can't find what you want, I wouldn't know where to suggest going. Maybe ask a passing Vancouverite. While you're there drop in at Kits beach. There's plenty to do for kids and adults alike and in the summer especially it gets really quite lively.

Gastown is the historical heart of Vancouver. Head for the statue of 'Gassy' Jack Deighton, a founding father of the city and bar owner who gave his name to this neighbourhood. It's got a quaint steam clock that attracts tourists like flies - it's hard to miss and nice to see.

If you're going to visit Vancouver you're sure to enjoy your stay in a city which regularly features in the lists of best cities in the world. If you can wait, come in 2010 when the city hosts the Winter Olympics.