Whether you are moving to Victoria, BC or just visiting, boasting the mildest climate in Canada, the capital city of the Province of British Columbia has no shortage of desirable attributes. You will find a diversity of communities, cultures, interests, histories, music, food, theatre, art, festivals, parks & protected areas, walkways, cycling trails, and wildlife.

Victoria is the capital city of beautiful British Columbia and is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island (not to be confused with the City of Vancouver which is situation on the mainland of British Columbia … click here to view map).

Located within traditional Coast Salish territory, Victoria is an area steeped in rich histories of its First Nations people. Their stories are diverse... and powerful. And from the time of 18th century contact with European peoples their tales hold a variety of perspectives, a story with many sides. They invite us all to listen, to learn. Today Victoria is home to some 325,000 people representing a diversity of ethnic backgrounds, and ages.

The city has been named a Culture Capital of Canada and its local museums and art galleries of international acclaim offer displays that provide a sense of context for the many peoples and cultures that call this place home. The Royal British Columbia Museum is rated amongst the best in North America, and the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria has a permanent exhibit of the work of widely renowned Canadian artist, Emily Carr. Both institutions offer new displays many times each year, and with them exciting opportunities to view exhibits of both Canadian and international significance. In honour of BC's first 150 years the RBCM offers a major feature exhibition: Free Spirit - Stories of You, Me, and BC. This special exhibit runs from March 13, 2008 - January 11, 2009.

Try visiting these websites for information on Victoria's varied cultures and histories:

• Danda Humphries - local historian
  www.dandahumphreys.com
• Free Spirit - BC's History, a Royal BC Museum project
  www.freespiritbc.ca
• A photographic introduction to the Royal BC Museum's "Modern History Gallery"
  www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/Mod_Hist_Gall/
• A brief context for local First Nations History
  www.tourismvictoria.com/Content/EN/748.asp
• A more extensive context for local First Nations history and early contact with Europeans
  www.beyondthemap.ca/english/first_nations.html

• For a historical perspective on Victoria see this excellent source of information: http://www.victoria.ca/visitors/about_hist.shtml