Vancouver is one of Canada’s youngest major cities, officially incorporated in 1886. 

The city was originally a small settlement called Granville, built around logging and sawmills. It was later renamed Vancouver after British naval captain George Vancouver, who explored the Pacific Coast in the 1790s. The arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1887 transformed Vancouver into an important port city and gateway to the Pacific.

Despite a devastating fire shortly after incorporation, Vancouver rebuilt quickly and grew through shipping, trade, fishing, and immigration. Over the 20th century, it developed into a diverse and vibrant urban centre known for its stunning natural setting between the mountains and ocean.

Today, Vancouver is recognized internationally for its multicultural population, thriving economy, environmental focus, and high quality of life.