Vancouver is a city on the west coast of Canada, the largest in the province of British Columbia (not to be confused with the South American state) and the third largest in Canada in general. In recent years, Vancouver has been recalled, as a rule, in connection with the 2010 Winter Olympics held there, but few people know that the British researchers from The Economist have awarded the capital of British Columbia three times the title of "the best city of the Earth."

Vancouver is a city, by our standards, a relatively young one, founded already in the 19th century, received its name in honor of the famous navigator J . Vancouver, who opened the eponymous island in the Pacific Ocean . Then it was a quiet provincial city located between two majestic Snow-covered mountain peaks - Mount Seymour and Soliburn . In the beginning of the 20th century, the city begins to grow rapidly both in terms of area and in relation to the population . Now Vancouver has about 700 thousand . inhabitants, and the so-called Greater Vancouver , that is, the urban part itself plus the suburbs - about 3 million . And, however, it is very comfortable, does not depress its volume and populousness . Secret - in an exceptionally well thought out infrastructure and a diverse development of the city . Vancouver is cut by rivers, through which it is laid more than 20 bridges, three of which are razvodnye . The famous Lion Bridge stretched for half a kilometer, and is "guarded" by statues of white lions . Another bridge - Kapilano, the city's business card, its length is 140 m . And this means, that it is the longest bridge in the country, and therefore the unflagging popularity of this tourist attraction is clear to tourists .

Vancouver is a city of science and universities. Probably, this was the reason for the construction of Science World, where the modern interactive museum of science is located. Here you become a direct participant in scientific experiments and discoveries. For example, you can find yourself inside the camera, learn to catch up with your own shadow and start up square soap bubbles.

By the way, about the parks. It is an amazing ecology - a special pride of Canada, and parks make a significant contribution to the preservation of it. One of the most famous parks in Vancouver is located just near the Kapilano bridge and is also called. There you are waited by waterfalls, a canyon laid in the most picturesque places of ancient woods of a path.

Another old and seemingly almost untouched man of a corner of the nature - park Stanley. Here you will find yourself surrounded by fabulous dense forests and clear lakes. In this place it is almost impossible to believe that a huge city is living nearby its vibrant life.

Be sure to visit Fort Langley, where the city of two hundred years old has survived, and magnificent views are opened. You can visit the oldest quarter of the city of Gastown, reminiscent of the appearance of the atmosphere of the stories of Jack London and James Curwood about the North. The Far Eastern segment of culture is represented by a very peculiar Chinese quarter, and also by the most real Japanese garden.

In the city there are many museums - of course, an indispensable attribute of many ocean and sea cities - the Maritime Museum - attracts a lot of tourists, since here, for example, . An anthropological museum will also impress fans of antiquities, and the city aquarium will be especially liked by children.

Another Canadian trademark is maple syrup, which is sold almost everywhere. It can be brought home as a souvenir, knowing exactly that no one will outdo you in originality.