Did you know?

…Vancouver Island is the largest island off the North American west coast at over 32,000 square km?

With a length of approximately 460 km and an average breadth of 100 km, Vancouver Island is comparable in size to some countries such as the Netherlands and Taiwan.  Rain and mild temperatures have fostered the development of temperate rain forests.  Vancouver Island is home to two UNESCO biosphere reserves – Clayoquot and Arrowsmith.

…Salt Spring Island is named for the salty mineral springs located on the north end of the island?

Salt Spring Island is famous for sunshine, scenery, and art…Lots of art.  A number of Canada’s most renowned artists, inspired by the beauty and the tranquil lifestyle, have made their homes on Salt Spring Island.  Galleries and artisan studios in the villages and along the country roads offer everything from paintings, sculptures, and prints, to weaving, pottery, stained glass, basketry, and jewellery.  ArtCraft, a summer-long exhibition and sale, showcases works by more than 250 Gulf Island artisans.

…the West Coast Trail was originally built as a lifesaving trail for shipwrecked mariners?

Historically this trail is known as the Graveyard of the Pacific. Today this 75 km long trail is world renowned for its awe-inspiring scenery. The entire trail is rather demanding and takes a minimum of five days to complete.

…Butchart Gardens was developed on what used to be a limestone quarry owned by Robert Pim Butchart?

When the supply was depleted, his wife Jennie decided to refurbish the land and the Sunken Garden now sits atop the site of the old quarry. Today Butchart Gardens offers 55 acres of delightful gardens including 700 varieties of beautiful plants.  The gardens, which celebrated it’s 100th anniversary in 2004, still remain a family business.

…Della Falls, in Strathcona Provincial Park, is Canada’s highest waterfall, at 440 metres (1,452 feet) and one of the ten highest in the world?

In 1899, prospector and trapper Joe Drinkwater discovered Della Falls and named them after his wife. These astonishing waterfalls are situated in the southern section of Strathcona Provincial Park.

…Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park is home to some of the world’s largest spruce trees, some reaching heights in excess of 95 metres (310 feet) and living for 800 years and more?

Sitka spruce forests are rarely found more than 80 km inland and at elevations greater than 300 meters. The Park’s wide groves of spruce attain a biomass (weight of plants by hectare) that is nearly twice that of a tropical forest. Additionally the park is home to ancient, knotted cedars estimated to be over 1,000 years old. Several hiking trails offer spectacular opportunities for different wilderness experiences.

…there are some 7,000 known species inhabiting the coastal waters of Vancouver Island, over 200 species of migratory birds and 33 species of land mammals?

Wildlife is also the focus of some of the region’s annual events, including the Pacific Rim Whale Festival in March, Oceanside’s Brant Festival in April, the Tofino Shorebird Festival in May, and the Eagle Extravaganza in Goldstream Provincial Park near Victoria, just to name a few.

…there are over 1,000 recorded caves on Vancouver Island?

Some have been explored and charted, but some still remain undeveloped. Vancouver Island offers numerous opportunities for caving: Join one of the guided or self-guided tours and enjoy the marvelous wonders of nature!

…there are 1,421 known metallic mineral, coal and industrial mineral occurrences on Vancouver Island?

 

…there are 9,396 lakes on Vancouver Island?

 

…Hornby Island and Nootka Sound are two of the few places in the world where scuba divers can see primitive and elusive six-gill sharks?

The sixgill shark is a common species of deep water shark. It is also one of the largest sharks that does not feed on plankton. The shark gets its name from the fact that is has six gill slits. Most other sharks only have five. The sixgill is a large shark and grows to a length of up to 18 feet.  Sixgill sharks are found all over the world in temperate and tropical regions, where they have been known to dive as deep as 6000 feet. They swim up to shallower waters at night to feed. Since they spend most of their time in deep water, very little is known about their behavior. (source: seasky.org)

…Nitinat Lake is the top windsurfing destination in North America?

During the summer Nitinat Lake has some of the most consistent winds in the world.  On a typical sunny day in the early morning there is no wind.  From about 10 AM to 11 AM you can look down the lake and see a wind line and within 30 minutes the wind is 15 to 20 knots.  As the day progresses the winds will peak at around  2 PM to 3 PM at 25 to 30 knots.  On a really good day with a FOG BANK visible at the other end of lake winds will be 25 to 40 knots.  As evening approaches and the sun sets , the winds die down an usually stop, at which point you are usually totally exhausted from shredding all day.

(source: islandnet.com/~rkashino/Nitinat.htm)

…there are approximately 100 Provincial Parks (including Marine Parks) and 50 Ecological Reserves in the Vancouver Island region?

Virtually everywhere on Vancouver Island you will find scenic Provincial Parks as well as interesting Ecological Reserves. Watch for the signs along the road indicating a nearby Provincial Park or Ecological Reserve.

…Nanaimo, a mecca for diving adventures, is home to the world’s largest upright artificial reef?

It was created when the Cape Breton, a decommissioned navy ship, was sunk in 2001 in close proximity to the Saskatchewan, a scuttled navy-class destroyer.

…Cathedral Grove is the location of some of the largest Douglas fir trees on Vancouver Island, including one estimated at 800 years old?

The awe-inspiring Cathedral Grove is located in MacMillan Provincial Park. On the south side, visitors will find the largest Douglas firs whereas on the north side there are groves of ancient Western red cedar. Visitors can stroll on the trails through the mighty stands of this old-growth coastal forest.

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