Vancouver and the other cities that make up the GVRD (Greater Vancouver Regional District) are situated in the south west corner of the province of British Columbia on the west coast of Canada and occupy 2,930 square kilometres at the mouth of the Fraser River.  The GVRD is made up of cities, districts and villages including: Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, New Westminster, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, and twelve others.  The Population is about 1.8 million (1996) and is growing at a rate of about 3%.  There is a reason for this -- as well as having a vibrant atmosphere and diverse culture, Vancouver is set amidst one of the most stunning locations in all of the world with the one of the mildest climates in the country. 

It is in the Temperate Rainforest, which does mean a lot of rain, but also, little snow (except on the mountains, where it belongs!).  The rain can sometimes seem a little endless, but when the sun shines on Vancouver, there really is no better or more beautiful place to be in the whole world!  Vancouverites like to tell you that you can ski and sail in the same day in their fair city -- and it's true.  The mountains that surround the city have three ski hills (Cypress Bowl, Grouse Mountain and Mount Seymour) and there is no lack of water on which to sail.  The city's natural setting and temperate climate mean that Vancouverites spend a lot of time outdoors and are more active than Canadians in the rest of the country.  And we certainly have the parks and beaches to do it!  People take advantage of the beaches and seawalls that surround the city year round for walking, jogging, rollerblading and cycling.  Vancouver is filled with wonderful parks and strung with beaches from Horseshoe Bay to White Rock. 

Robson Square was designed in 1979 by Arthur Erickson who is considered one of Canada's most talented architects.  He envisioned this complex as a contemporary civic square and the  architecture and landscaping are balanced here creating a wonderful space.  The Law Courts are a vast, stark modern space and are contrasted with the waterfall, trees and shrubs which surround it.  As you move from the courthouse between Howe and Hornby streets at Nelson  toward Smythe and Robson, you enter the green spaces and move toward the waterfalls and stairs.  The stairs lead you down under Robson Street to the Robson Square Media Centre (one of the places used during the Vancouver International Film Festival) where there is an open air ice rink (in winter) and in summer, is occupied by office workers and tourists eating 'al fresco' on the stairs and on restaurant patios.  Continuing under Robson, you come to the Vancouver Art Gallery, housed in the old Vancouver courthouse.  Robson Square is another great place for people watching, or reading in the sun.  Across the street at Robson and Howe is a brand new Chapters Bookstore, and nearby is the Virgin Records store and BC CTV (was VTV). 

Vancouver is filled with interesting neighbourhoods and communities, most of which are easily accessible through an extensive transit system...

Yaletown is a fairly newly re-developed area of downtown with a desirable location and trendy bars and restaurants.  It has held onto it's industrial feel and it's narrow streets and old brick warehouses.  It is also near the two local sports venues, BC Place Stadium (home of the CFL BC Lions) and General Motors Place (also known as "the Garage" and home of the NHL Vancouver Canucks and the NBA Vancouver Grizzlies -- for a while, anyway).  The new downtown Vancouver Library is also located here in a fantastic new building. 

Commercial Drive is another interesting area -- you can get your hands henna'd, buy some funky stuff at my friend Christine's favorite store, Urban Empire, or enjoy one of the best cappuccinos in the city.  A very eclectic area once known mainly as the Italian district, it runs along Commercial Drive from Venables to Broadway and is easily accessible from the Skytrain or busses.  It has been described as "an east-side bastion of down-market chic" and is well worth a visit. 

Kitsilano encompasses an area from the beach to about 16th Avenue, and Burrard to about Dunbar. Kits is another great neighbourhood, it's a sort of yuppified Commercial Drive.  Once the home to Vancouver's hippie community, it now caters to yuppies and young twenty-somethings who are attracted ot the area's bookstores, boutiques and cafes.  You can get great Sushi in couple of restaurants on 4th Avenue, Milestones is a good eatery too and Nyala serves Ethiopian cuisine and has a buffet on selected nights.  In this part of town you also find Bishop's and Lumiere, two of the city's best restaurants according to Vancouver Magazine's Restaurant edition every year.  Just a short jaunt away are terrific shops on Broadway between Balsam and Blenheim, and you can get some cheap produce in the many small produce stores near MacDonald St.   Joe and I used to live here and loved the easy access to downtown by bus as well as all the shops and restaurants just a short walk away.