British Columbia (BC) is the westernmost province in Canada, bordered by the rugged and spectacular Pacific coast to the west and on the northwest by the U.S. state of Alaska, directly north by the Yukon and Northwest Territories, Alberta to the east, and by the states of Washington, Idaho, and Montana to the south.

British Columbia is a land blessed with amazing diversity and a temperate climate. There is an equally amazing variety of places to see and things to do across the province. Mountains to gaze at or climb. History and art to discover. Endless beaches to comb. Cosmopolitan cities to explore. Moss-carpeted rainforests to hike . Sensual spas and tantalizing gastronomic delights to indulge in. Warm-water lakes to play in. Rivers to ride. And so much more.

BC Fast Facts

Capital city: Victoria on Vancouver Island

Population: 3,907,738 (Concentrated in: Vancouver pop. 2 million and Victoria pop. 326,000)

Canada's third most populated province (after Ontario and Quebec )

Only province in Canada to experience a "West Coast special": ski and golf in the same day

Westernmost of Canada's 10 provinces

History: Entered Canadian confederation in 1871

Total Area: 944,735 sq km (364,764 sq mi)

Highest Point: Fairweather Mountain, 4,663 m (15,299 ft)

Lowest Point: Pacific Ocean, sea level

Longest River: Fraser River, 1,368 km (850 mi)

Largest Lake: Williston Lake (reservoir), 1,761 sq km (680 sq mi)

Largest Island: Vancouver Island, 32,137 sq km (12,408 sq mi)

Provincial Flower: Pacific dogwood

Provincial Tree: Western redcedar

Provincial Bird: Steller's Jay

Provincial Gemstone: Jade

Provincial Motto: "Splendour without diminishment"

source: www.travel.bc.ca