There’s No Thinking Small About British Columbia

If you’re going to British Columbia, think big.

Canada’s westernmost province sprawls over 366,255 square miles it’s more than twice as big as California. Yet most of B.C.’s 3 million people are clustered in the southwest corner of the province, around Vancouver and Victoria. Beyond those cities, a wilderness of fiords, forests, lakes and mountains takes over, punctuated only by the occasional town.

Like Washington and Oregon, B.C. is blessed with a rugged Pacific coast, majestic mountains and high, dry plains.

Tourism is one of B.C.’s biggest industries, from urban getaways to outdoors trips - river-rafting, boating, fishing, hiking, scenic drives and whale watching. And, of course, skiing.

Given the favorable exchange rate - one Canadian dollar cost 73 cents U.S. - American money goes a long way in Canada. Counselors at the province’s tourism office can provide advice, mail travel guides and make hotel reservations: phone (800) 663-6000.