Victoria, British Columbia

:This article refers to the city of Victoria. Information on Greater Victoria can be found in the Greater Victoria article.

Other facts

According to Statistics Canada, Victoria's crime rate in 1999 was the 2nd highest in the country (11,865 crimes per 100,000 population). By 2002, Victoria was ranked 5th for overall crime (10,146 crimes per 100,000 population). These figures, however, represent the skewing effect of considering crimes committed in "downtown" Victoria in relation only to the "downtown" population. The Greater Victoria area comprises 13 separate municipalities (total pop. 325,000

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It is the seat of the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory. The oldest (and most intact) Chinatown in Canada is also within Victoria. In the heart of downtown is the acclaimed Royal British Columbia Museum, with large exhibits on local Aboriginal peoples, Natural History and Modern History. North of the city on the Saanich Peninsula are the Butchart Gardens, one of the biggest tourist attractions on the island. There are also two National Historic Sites, Fisgard Lighthouse and Fort Rodd Hill, a coastal artillery fort built in the late 1890s.

Related Topics:
Dominion Astrophysical Observatory - Chinatown - Royal British Columbia Museum - Aboriginal peoples - Natural History - Modern History - Butchart Gardens - National Historic Sites - Fisgard Lighthouse - Fort Rodd Hill

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Beacon Hill Park is the city's main urban greenspace. It comprises more than 62 hectares along Victoria's southern shore, and includes numerous playing fields, manicured gardens, exotic species of plants and animals such as wild peacocks, and a petting zoo. The park also includes a few areas of natural Garry oak meadow habitat, an increasingly scarce ecosystem that once dominated the region. Each summer, Beacon Hill Park plays host to several outdoor concerts, and the popular Luminara Community Lantern Festival.

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The Victoria Symphony, led by Tania Miller, the first woman to hold such a position with a major Canadian orchestra, performs at the Royal Theatre and the Farquhar Auditorium of the University of Victoria from September to May. Every BC Day weekend, the Symphony mounts "Symphony Splash", a popular outdoor event, including a performance by the orchestra while on a barge on Victoria's inner harbour. Streets in the local area are closed, as each year approximately 40,000 people attend a variety of concerts and events throughout the day. The event culminates with the Symphony's evening concert, with Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture as the grand finale, replete with cannon-fire, a pealing carillon and a fireworks display to honour BC Day.

Related Topics:
Victoria Symphony - Tania Miller - Royal Theatre - Symphony Splash

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The only Canadian Forces Primary Reserve brass/reed band on Vancouver Island is located in Victoria. The 5th (British Columbia) Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery Band traces its roots back to 1864, making it the oldest, continually-operational military band west of Thunder Bay, Ontario. Its mandate is to support the island's military community by performing at military dinners, parades and ceremonies, and other events. The band performs weekly in August at Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site where the 5th Field Regiment started manning the guns of the fort in 1896, and also performs at the Cameron Bandshell at Beacon Hill Park, the jewel in Victoria's crown, every year.

Related Topics:
Vancouver Island - 5th (British Columbia) Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery Band - Fort Rodd Hill - Beacon Hill Park

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Victoria is served by Victoria International Airport and several ferry terminals to Vancouver, the Gulf Islands, and Washington state.

Related Topics:
Victoria International Airport - Gulf Islands - Washington state

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People born in Victoria include:

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• Emily Carr
• Russ Courtnall
• Geoff Courtnall
• David Foster
• Nelly Furtado
• Michael D. Moore
• Rich Harden
• Nell Shipman
• Cliff Thorburn

NBA star Steve Nash, although born in South Africa, grew up in Victoria, BC.

Related Topics:
NBA - Steve Nash - South Africa

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Victoria serves as the western terminus (Mile Zero) for Canada's Trans Canada Highway, the longest national highway in the world.

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