The Millennium Experience

brLush inland valleys and rugged mountains, magnificent beaches and forested islands: This western province has an abundance of natural beauty. There are plenty of opportunities for whale- and nature-watching, as well as for skiing, golfing, fishing, and kayaking, or you can simply relax in a peaceful country inn. Your visit may take you to places as different as small coastal and island towns, the Anglophile city of Victoria, and a re-created native village.British Columbia, Canda’s westernmost province, harbors Pacific beaches, verdant islands, year-round skiing, world-class fishing—a wealth of outdoor action and beauty. The people of the province are a similarly heterogeneous mix: descendants of the original Native American peoples and 19th-century British and European settlers and more recent immigrants from Asia and Eastern Europe.

British Columbia’s appeal as a vacation destination stems from its status as the most spectacular part of the nation, with salmon-rich waters, abundant coastal scenery, and stretches of snowcapped peaks. Outdoor enthusiasts have gravitated here for sports including fishing, golfing, kayaking, rafting, and skiing. Whale-watching adventures, whether by charter boat or in a kayak, are increasingly popular.

It is the region’s natural splendor that has ironically become the source of conflict. For more than a century, logging companies have depended on the abundant supply of British Columbia timber, and whole towns are still centered on the industry. Environmentalists and many residents now see the logging industry as a threat to the natural surroundings. Compromises have been achieved in recent years, but the issue is far from resolved.