“Splendor without diminishment.” The motto of British Columbia reflects the beauty of the landscape as well as the broad and steep Mountain ranges, the deep Mountain lakes and ravines, the hundreds of natural forests and parks strewn across its landscape and the brightness of it skies during its brightest days throughout the year. Also, we can probably add that the same motto reflects the inner spirit of the Aboriginal peoples that have settled the land and diversified its natural beauty for thousands of years, since its prehistoric beginnings. British Columbia has one of most diversified cultures in Canada and it is the only Region in the Dominion of Canada that is both its Region and its Province. From the beginning of its modern day history caused by its natural resources, especially Gold and fur industries, British Columbia has developed into a multi billion dollar province on its natural resources alone. This says nothing of the other sources of income through tourism, education, business, and industry. In this guide to British Columbia we look briefly at its major turning points in its history, beginning with James Cook in 1778 to its establishment as one of the Provinces in Canada in 1871.
Some famous people from British Columbia are William Spencer Vickrey, who won the Nobel Prize in Economic Science in 1996, Michael Buble (singer), Bryan Adams (singer), Raymond Burr (actor), Joni Mitchell (singer), and many others. BritishColumbia is known for its outdoors versatility as well as its beautiful seascapes and picturesque lakes and Mountains ranges. British Columbia has become a tourist’s dream destination and provides innumerable landscapes and places to recreate oneself in the outdoors as well as indoor entertainment at Music festivals or Art Festivals. Throughout the calendar year, British Columbia offers the widest range of activities for the young as well as the old, the young entrepreneur who wants excitement of city life or the family seeking time to bond together in the forest where fishing, hiking, canoeing or swimming are daily activities.