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Where is Vancouver, Canada?

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: June 12, 2026, 15:05 ET

Vancouver is a seaport city is located in Western Canada, on the Pacific coast, in the province of British Columbia.

Vancouver Location Map

Where is Vancouver, Canada
About Map: Map showing Location of Vancouver in the Canada Map

Where is Vancouver Located?

Vancouver City is located in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, West Canada. The city has coastal location at Eastern Pacific Ocean. The city was first time explored by the British Captain George Vancouver, and hence the name of city has been given after explorer's name.

Along with the metropolitan area, Vancouver is the third-largest city in Canada. The city is the largest and most populous city in the south-western Canada. In 1886, the city has been incorporated and in the passage of time it has experienced tremendous growth. The evolution of railways and sea-port in the city has changed the scenario of Vancouver.

So, the economy of the city depends upon the various sectors including forestry, tourism, software development, biotechnology etc. In addition, Vancouver is the third largest film production center in entire North America; the other two are - first one is Los Angeles and second one is New York City. In terms of most livable city, Vancouver has good position. The city remains center for the many events and international games.

Places to See in Vancouver

Stanley ParkScience WorldMuseum of VancouverGranville Island Public Market
Capilano Suspension Bridge ParkDr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical ChineseGastown Steam ClockCleveland Dam
Queen Elizabeth ParkMuseum of AnthropologyKitsilano BeachFlyOver Canada
Granville IslandVancouver Art GalleryLions Gate BridgeBurnaby Village Museum
Vancouver AquariumRobson StreetVancouver LookoutJohn Hendry Park
Grouse MountainVancouver SeawallPlayland at the PNECapilano River Regional Park
Canada PlaceBloedel ConservatoryJericho Beach ParkRichmond Night Market
Lynn Canyon Suspension BridgeCypress MountainLighthouse Park | West VancouverVanier Park
English BayHarbour CentreEnglish Bay BeachTotem Poles
VanDusen Botanical GardenFalse CreekSunset Beach Park

Vancouver, Canada - Quick Facts

Official NameCity of Vancouver
CountryCanada
ProvinceBritish Columbia
RegionLower Mainland
LocationWestern Canada, Pacific Coast
Coordinates49.2827° N, 123.1207° W
IncorporatedApril 6, 1886
Total Area115 km² (44.4 sq mi)
Urban Area1,135 km² (438 sq mi)
Metro Area2,882 km² (1,113 sq mi)
Population (City - 2021 Census)662,248
Metro Vancouver Population (2021)2,642,825
Population Density5,700/km² (14,763/sq mi)
Time ZoneUTC−08:00 (PST) | Summer: UTC−07:00 (PDT)
Postal Code RangeV5K–V6T, V6Z, V7X–V7Y
Area Codes604, 778, 236, 672
Major AirportVancouver International Airport (YVR)
Major HighwaysHighway 7, 1A, 7A, 99, Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy 1 nearby)
Climate TypeOceanic (Marine West Coast) — Mild, Rainy Winters
Ethnic Diversity StatusOne of the most ethnically diverse cities in Canada
Official LanguagesEnglish (Primary), Large Cantonese & Punjabi speaking communities
Known ForTourism, Film Industry ("Hollywood North"), Seaport, Mountains, Coastline
GDP (Metro Vancouver)Approx. CAD $140+ Billion
Major UniversitiesUniversity of British Columbia (UBC), Simon Fraser University (SFU)
Transportation SystemSkyTrain, SeaBus, RapidBus, BC Ferries nearby
Sports TeamsVancouver Canucks (NHL), Vancouver Whitecaps FC (MLS), BC Lions (CFL)
Elevation0–152 m (0–499 ft)
Official Websitehttps://vancouver.ca/

Location

Vancouver is located on the southwestern coast of British Columbia between Burrard Inlet and the Fraser River. It lies north of the Canada-United States border and is surrounded by the Coast Mountains, the Pacific Ocean, and neighboring municipalities within Metro Vancouver. The city is known for its spectacular natural scenery, major seaport, diverse population, and strong economy driven by trade, technology, tourism, and film production.

Nearby Cities to Vancouver, British Columbia

  • Burnaby, British Columbia - 6 mi East
  • Richmond, British Columbia - 8 mi South
  • North Vancouver, British Columbia - 5 mi North
  • West Vancouver, British Columbia - 8 mi Northwest
  • New Westminster, British Columbia - 10 mi Southeast
  • Coquitlam, British Columbia - 16 mi East
  • Surrey, British Columbia - 20 mi Southeast
  • Delta, British Columbia - 18 mi South
  • Port Moody, British Columbia - 15 mi East
  • Langley, British Columbia - 28 mi Southeast

Vancouver, British Columbia Climate and Weather

MonthAvg High (°F)Avg Low (°F)Avg Rainfall (in)
January44366.6
April56422.8
July73561.4
October58474.8
Annual584647.0
Climate AttributeDetails
Climate Classification (Köppen)Oceanic (Cfb)
Annual RainfallAbout 47 inches
Annual Sunshine DaysApproximately 290 days with measurable sunshine
Severe Weather RiskOccasional windstorms and heavy rainfall events
SnowfallApproximately 15 inches annually

Driving Distances from Vancouver, British Columbia

CityProvinceDistance (mi)Approx. Drive Time
North VancouverBritish Columbia515 min
BurnabyBritish Columbia615 min
RichmondBritish Columbia820 min
West VancouverBritish Columbia820 min
New WestminsterBritish Columbia1020 min
Port MoodyBritish Columbia1525 min
CoquitlamBritish Columbia1630 min
DeltaBritish Columbia1830 min
SurreyBritish Columbia2035 min
LangleyBritish Columbia2845 min

Distance from Vancouver to Other Canadian Cities

  • Victoria, BC - 115 km (71 mi)
  • Kelowna, BC - 390 km (242 mi)
  • Kamloops, BC - 355 km (220 mi)
  • Calgary, Alberta - 970 km (602 mi)
  • Edmonton, Alberta - 1,160 km (720 mi)
  • Regina, Saskatchewan - 1,740 km (1,081 mi)
  • Saskatoon, Saskatchewan - 1,575 km (979 mi)
  • Winnipeg, Manitoba - 2,300 km (1,429 mi)
  • Toronto, Ontario - 4,400 km (2,736 mi)
  • Ottawa, Ontario - 4,500 km (2,796 mi)
  • Montreal, Quebec - 4,600 km (2,858 mi)
  • Quebec City, Quebec - 4,850 km (3,014 mi)
  • Halifax, Nova Scotia - 6,000 km (3,728 mi)
  • St. John’s, Newfoundland - 7,500 km (4,660 mi)
  • Transportation in Vancouver, British Columbia

    CategoryDetails
    Airport NameVancouver International Airport
    IATA CodeYVR
    PortPort of Vancouver
    Major HighwaysTrans-Canada Highway (BC 1), BC 99, BC 7, Knight Street, Granville Street
    Train ServiceVIA Rail, Amtrak Cascades, SkyTrain, West Coast Express
    Local Transit ServiceTransLink
    • Trans-Canada Highway (BC 1) - Primary east-west route connecting Vancouver with the rest of Canada.
    • Highway 99 - Major corridor linking downtown Vancouver with Richmond, Whistler, and the U.S. border.
    • Highway 7 - Connects the city with eastern Metro Vancouver communities.
    • Knight Street Bridge Corridor - Important freight and commuter route.
    • Granville Street - Key north-south urban transportation artery.
    • Lions Gate Bridge - Iconic connection between Vancouver and the North Shore.

    Places to Visit in Vancouver, British Columbia

    Landmark NameType
    Stanley ParkUrban Park
    Granville IslandCultural District
    Canada PlaceWaterfront Landmark
    Vancouver AquariumAquarium
    Capilano Suspension BridgeTourist Attraction
    GastownHistoric District
    Vancouver Art GalleryMuseum
    Science WorldScience Museum
    Queen Elizabeth ParkUrban Park
    English BayWaterfront Attraction

    Waterbodies in Vancouver, British Columbia

    Pacific Ocean, Burrard Inlet, English Bay, False Creek, Fraser River, Georgia Strait, Coal Harbour, Lost Lagoon, Trout Lake, Capilano River

    Golf Courses in Vancouver, British Columbia

    University Golf Club, Fraserview Golf Course, McCleery Golf Course, Langara Golf Course, Point Grey Golf and Country Club, Marine Drive Golf Club, Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club, Musqueam Golf and Learning Academy, Northlands Golf Course, Riverway Golf Course

    Economy in Vancouver, British Columbia

    SectorMajor Employer or IndustryNotes
    Trade and ShippingPort of VancouverCanada's largest port.
    TechnologySoftware and Digital Media FirmsRapidly growing innovation sector.
    Film and TelevisionMotion Picture IndustryKnown as "Hollywood North".
    TourismHospitality and AttractionsMajor contributor to the local economy.
    HealthcareVancouver Coastal HealthLarge healthcare employer.
    EducationUniversity of British ColumbiaWorld-renowned educational institution.
    FinanceBanking and Professional ServicesImportant regional economic sector.
    ConstructionReal Estate and DevelopmentSupports metropolitan growth.

    Colleges and Schools in Vancouver, British Columbia

    Institution NameTypeLevelNotable For
    University of British ColumbiaPublicUniversityLeading global research university
    Simon Fraser UniversityPublicUniversityComprehensive research institution
    Emily Carr University of Art + DesignPublicUniversityArt and design education
    Vancouver Community CollegePublicCollegeCareer and technical programs
    British Columbia Institute of TechnologyPublicCollegeApplied technology education
    Vancouver School BoardPublicK-12 DistrictOne of Canada's largest school districts

    Vancouver, British Columbia - Key Historical Facts

    • Vancouver was incorporated in 1886 shortly after the arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway.
    • The city grew rapidly as a transportation and trade gateway on Canada's Pacific Coast.
    • The Port of Vancouver became a major hub for international commerce and shipping.
    • Immigration from around the world helped shape Vancouver into one of Canada's most diverse cities.
    • The city gained international recognition by hosting the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.
    • Today, Vancouver is one of North America's leading centers for trade, technology, tourism, and film production.

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