British Columbia Photos

Pictures and photos from the rainforests of the Pacific coast to the snowy mountain peaks, British Columbia in Canada offers supreme scenery and endless outdoor recreation.

British Columbia is Canada’s westernmost province. The ocean, mountains, rivers, lakes and vast forested regions make it ideal for whale-watching, wildlife-viewing, kayaking, canoeing, mountain biking, skiing, rafting hiking and climbing as you will see in our pictures.

Most of BC’s population is concentrated in the cities of Vancouver and Victoria. Vancouver, in the southwest corner of the province, will be hosting the Olympic games in 2010. Nestled in the mountains is the village of Whistler, a world-class ski destination.

Victoria, the province’s capital, lies at the southern tip of Vancouver Island, the largest island off of BC’s coast. Along the west coast of the island, Pacific Rim National Park near the town of Tofino has lush rainforests with huge trees, and miles of sandy beach for surfers and beachcombers. Further north, the Queen Charlotte Islands are the home of the native Haida people, renown for their art and culture.

The gold rush town of Barkerville, in the Cariboo region of central BC, has been restored to its former glory complete with vintage shops and live reenactments of the town’s history.

In BC’s southern interior, the Okanagan has the only desert ecosystem found in Canada. With orchards, vineyards, and golf courses, it is a true paradise. To the east, the towering Rocky Mountains arise near BC’s border with Alberta.

British Columbia has something for everyone, with spectacular wilderness areas and recreation opportunities, a thriving arts community, and a rich cultural heritage. Make sure you take your camera when visiting, there are plenty of photo opportunities waiting for you.