About Vancouver
With its scenic views, mild climate, and friendly people, Vancouver is known around the world as one of the best places to live and is a popular tourist attraction. Vancouver is also one of the most ethnically and linguistically diverse cities in Canada with 52% of the population speaking a first language other than English.
Vancouver has been host to many international conferences and events, including the 2010 Winter Olympics and 2010 Winter Paralympics.
Consistently named one of the world's most liveable cities
Vancouver regularly ranks among the top cities world-wide in annual quality-of-life surveys.
Ranked number one on the Economist Intelligence Unit's Global Liveability Report for five years in a row
The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) analyzes living conditions in hundreds of cities using many indicators -- culture, crime, education, environment, healthcare, infrastructure, public service, and stability -- to help businesses scout new opportunities.
In 2012, ahead of all other North American cities, EIU named Vancouver the third most liveable city in the world. Every year from 2007 to 2011, Vancouver placed first on the EIU benchmark, making it the first city in the world to hold the number one spot five years in a row.
Ranked fifth on Mercer's "Quality of Living" Survey for 2012
Mercer evaluates local living conditions in more than 460 cities wordwide, examining everything from the quality of education and housing, to the economy and natural environment.
In 2012, Vancouver ranked 5th in the world on this prestigious global survey.
About Vancouver's first peoples
An aboriginal settlement called Xwméthkwyiem, (“Musqueam,” from masqui, “an edible grass that grows in the sea”), near the mouth of the Fraser River, was present here at least 3,000 years ago.
At the time of first European contact in the late 18th century, the Musqueam and Squamish peoples had villages around present-day Vancouver, along with the Tsleil-Waututh, ancestors of today's Burrard Band in North Vancouver.
They were all Coast Salish First Nations, sharing cultural and language traits with people in the Fraser Valley and Northern Washington.
