Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island is the largest island in Cascadia. Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, is located at the southern end of the island. It was named, like the cities of Vancouver BC and Vancouver, Washington, after George Vancouver, the British Royal Navy Officer who explored the coastal regions of Cascadia between 1791 and 1794.

The island was politically established as the British Colony of Vancouver Island in 1949. 1866 saw the Union of the Two Colonies, with Vancouver Island and the mainland Colony of British Columbia. The colony was later addmitted into the Canadain Confederation in 1871 and the sixth province.

Population

The Island's 3/4 of a million people are mostlky settled along the eastern coast. Major centres include:

Greater Victoria   359,991

Greater Nanaimo   98,021

Westshore            68,000

Comox Valley       55,213

Cowichan Valley   43,252

Campbell River     36,461

Ocenside             27,822

Alberni Valley       25,465

Military

CFB Esquimalt - Naval facility

CFB Comox - Air base

Royal Roads University - formerlly Royal Roads Military College

Sports

Hockey:

Major Jr. - WHL - Victoria Royals (WHL)

Jr. A - BCHL - Island Division: Victoria Grizzlies, Cowichan Valley Capitals, Nanaimo Clippers, Alberni Valley Bulldogs, Powell RIver Kings

Jr. B - VIJHL - Victoria Cougars, Saanich Braves, Peninnsula Eagles, Westshore Wolves, Kerry Park Islanders, Nanaimo Buccaneers, Oceanside Generals, Comox Valley Glacier Kings, Campbell River Storm

Fromer teams: Victoria Cougars (Stanley Cup 1925), Victoria, Slasa, Victoria Salmon Kings, Victoria Maple Leafs, Victoria Cubs, Victoria Spiders

Baseball:Victoria Habour Cats (West Coast League) Former teams: Victoria Seals, Victoria Capitals, Victoria Mussels

Football: Westshore Rebels, Vancouver Island Raiders (BCJFL)

Lacrosse: Victoria Shamrocks Sr, Jr & Intermdiate teams

Rugby: Oak Bay Wanderers, James Bay AA, Velox Valhalans

Soccer: Victoria Highlanders, Victoria Untied Former: Victoria Vistas

University: UVic Vikes, Camosun Chargers, Vancouver Island Marriners, North Island