Explore the Beautiful City of Victoria, B.C.

A Quick Guide to Victoria, British Columbia

Victoria is the capital of the Canadian province of British Columbia. It has a population of approximately 78,659 people, according to VancouverIsland.com. According to the historical website for the city of Victoria, the city was founded by the Hudson's Bay trading company in 1843. This makes it the oldest city in western Canada. At the time, it was called Fort Victoria, named after the British queen. The gold rush of the mid 19th century contributed lots of excitement to the city's development. It became the capital of British Columbia in 1871. Read more...

Getting the Most Out of Your Time in Victoria

When you need a break from teaching or learning English, make sure to see some of these sights while you are in Victoria. Victoria is a terrific place to go for whale watching. Orcas congregate around Haro Strait near the Inner Harbour of Victoria. Many services such as this one, Five Star Whale Watching from Clipper Vacations, will take groups of tourists out to photograph and marvel at these impressive marine animals. Fodor's travel guide says that you can sometimes spot whales on the cheap by taking the ferry from Victoria to another nearby city. Read more...

Being an Expatriate, Immigrant or International Student in Victoria

With its close proximity to the U.S. and its status as regional capital of British Columbia, Victoria is a major international gateway to Canada. There are many opportunities to mingle with the international community. The Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria, or ICA, is dedicated to making immigrants to Victoria feel welcome and promoting cultural diversity. Its signature event is the Luminara Victoria Lantern Celebration, in which lanterns are lit around the city as a symbol of international solidarity. Read more...