• Canada's most westerly province, British Columbia lies on the Pacific coast of North America. East of BC is the Canadian province of Alberta, divided by a border 1,545 kilometres (960 miles) long.
• The Alaskan panhandle and the Yukon and Northwest Territories share British Columbia's northern borders, while the states of Washington, Idaho and Montana run along the province's southern border for 640 kilometres (397 miles).
• British Columbia's rugged coastline stretches for more than 27,000 kilometres (16,780 miles) including thousands of islands and mountainous fjords.
• Vancouver Island, a unique region of British Columbia, is 451 kilometres (280 miles) long and lies off the southwest corner of the province's mainland.

Geography - Little known facts

• Lying between the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Rocky Mountains to the east, British Columbia boasts some of the most diverse and breathtaking scenery in Canada.
• More than three quarters of the province is considered mountainous; the Rocky Mountains run its length, flanked by a series of companion ranges - the Columbia, Monashee, Cariboo, Selkirk, Purcell, Cassiar, Omineca and Skeena ranges.
• More than half of British Columbia is 1,280 metres (4,200 feet) or more above sea level.
• The Peace River region in northeastern British Columbia is the province's only flatland area. Huge glacial fjords have carved valleys into other parts of the province's landscape.
• Amazingly, only three per cent of the province is arable, and is irrigated by coastal rains, mountain rivers and run-off that provide rich, fertile soil for agriculture to thrive - from wineries and orchards in the Okanagan, to dairy farming in the Kootenays and Fraser Valley.
• Ten per cent of British Columbia is grazed by domestic animals or is under cultivation and agritourism is an up-and-coming tourism product. Just ask about our hothouse peppers, cranberry and ginseng crops!
• Forest covers about 55 per cent of the province; huge Douglas Fir and Western Red Cedar grow in the moist coastal regions, and vast forests of pine, spruce and hemlock are found in the higher and drier interior.
• Freshwater lakes or rivers make up 3.8 per cent of British Columbia - a statistic that belies the nature of the province's remarkable water resources.
• There are over 675 provincial parks and recreation areas in British Columbia, along with several National Parks and National Park Reserves.
• More than 90 per cent of the land in British Columbia is owned by the provincial government as Crown land ("Crown" is a British term signifying government interest).
• Mining, forestry and tourism, all key economic activities for the province, impact how these Crown lands are managed, as do the many Aboriginal land claims. The majority of Aboriginal land claims in Canada are in British Columbia.

BC's Climate - Perfect for outdoor adventure
The climate of British Columbia varies greatly, influenced by latitude, the province's mountainous topography and distance from the Pacific Ocean. This diversity causes wide variations in average hours of sunshine, rainfall, snow and temperatures, sometimes over remarkably short distances.

In summer, temperatures in BC's interior frequently surpass 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit); nearer the coast and in other regions, readings will range between 23 and 28 degrees Celsius (73-83 degrees Fahrenheit).

In winter, the Lower Mainland and Greater Victoria enjoy a temperate climate, and if snow falls, it doesn't stay long. But wrap up warmly if you're heading for Whistler, the interior or Northern British Columbia. Although temperatures are mild when compared to the rest of Canada, there's a reason these regions are known for their spectacular winter activities.

British Columbia's varied climate makes it possible to find the best of a wide range of outdoor activities within the same province, or even the same city. For example, visit Vancouver and you can ski, play golf, and then relax in a downtown bistro, all in one fun-filled day. Where else can you experience so many different climates in a matter of hours?

The climate and mountains serve up superlative skiing and other winter snow sports, while B.C.'s coastal weather creates excellent conditions for sailing and motor cruising, not to mention a habitat that supports an abundant and diverse wildlife.