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Why "Nobody" Lives In The VAST MAJORITY Of British Columbia
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Apr 2, 2025
Watch the podcast: @GeographyPod Listen to the podcast: https://linktr.ee/geographyiseverything Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geographybygeoff/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@geographybygeoff Podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/show/geography-is-everything Linktree for everything: https://linktr.ee/geographybygeoff British Columbia is huge! In fact, outside of Alaska, it is larger than any other U.S. state. But despite its physical size, the majority of the Canadian province's population exists within the far southwest corner, mostly within the Vancouver metro area and the province's capital Victoria. This is despite the fact that the province is home to a surprisingly varied geography, including the sunnier, dryer region around Kelowna. So why is the vast majority of British Columbia so empty? Stock footage is acquired from www.storyblocks.com. Animation support provided by DH Designs (needahittman.com)
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British Columbia is truly one of the most beautiful places in the world
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Canada's West Coast province is marked by thousands of rugged fjords, incredible mountains, endless forests, and even a surprising desert
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Despite this beauty, however, the majority of its population lies in a very small area in the southwest of the province
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So why is the vast majority of British Columbia so incredibly empty
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Welcome to Geography by Jeff. Today we're going to explore my very favorite Canadian province, British Columbia, which
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is probably not a surprise because I'm based right here in Oregon. Still, outside of Banff National Park, I would argue that there are few places in Canada
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that are as staggeringly beautiful. Despite all this beauty, however, most British Columbians live within the very small areas
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of Vancouver and Victoria. And as usual, there's a geographic reason for this
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But first, be sure to check out this week's podcast episode all about the Catalonian independence movement
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Catalonia, an autonomous region within Spain, has long had a desire for full independence
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something Spain has staunchly opposed. And we break it all down for you
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British Columbia, a province rich in natural beauty, has a history rooted in the lives of
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the First Nations tribes, colonial ambitions, and the evolution of modern Canada. Prior to European
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explorers and colonizers, indigenous peoples lived in this region for millennia. These First Nations
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including the Haida, Salish, Nucha North, and many others, developed complex societies with rich
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traditions, cultures, and economies. In fact, the Salish peoples are thought to have arrived in the
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region somewhere between 3,000 and 6,000 years ago. But the region we know today as British Columbia
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took a significant turn with the arrival of European explorers in the 1700s. The Spanish
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and British were the first Europeans to explore the coast, however it was the latter, under the
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auspices of the Hudson Bay Company, that began to establish a permanent presence. Given its remoteness
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the fur trade became the central economic activity, leading to the establishment of
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trading posts and interactions both cooperative and contentious with the indigenous peoples
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The 1800s brought a pivotal moment in the history of this region, the dispute over the Oregon country
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This vast area, stretching from the northern border of California to the southern border of Russia and Alaska
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was claimed by multiple powers, Spain, Russia, Britain, and the United States
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The competing claims were rooted in various exploration and trading expeditions. The Nutka Convention in the late 18th century resolved some disputes between Spain and Britain
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while the United States based its claim on the explorations of Lewis and Clark and the fur trading post established by John Jacob Astor's Pacific Fur Company
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As American sellers began to move into the Oregon country tensions escalated leading to the Oregon boundary dispute between Britain and the United States This dispute was part of the larger Manifest Destiny ideology that drove U expansion westward
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The slogan, 54-40 or Fight, exemplified the American desire to extend its northern border
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to latitude 54 degrees north, far into present-day British Columbia. However, the eventual compromise in the Oregon Treaty of 1846 established the 49th parallel
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as the border, excluding Vancouver Island, which remained under British control. This resolution was pivotal for the future of British Columbia
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It led to the creation of the Colony of Vancouver Island in 1849 and the Colony of British Columbia
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in 1858, prompted by the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush, which attracted an influx of settlers
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including Americans. These colonies were united in 1866, creating a single British colony that was diverse in
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its population and rich in potential. Today, British Columbia is one of Canada's best-known provinces, and its geographic position
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on the Pacific Ocean makes it incredibly important for Canada as a whole
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But before we get to the physical geography of British Columbia, if you're enjoying this
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video, hit that subscribe button. More fun geography videos are just a single click away
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British Columbia, Canada's westernmost province, is renowned for its stunning physical geography
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that ranges from the Pacific coastline to the Rocky Mountains. This diverse landscape plays a crucial role in shaping the province's climate
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ecosystems, and human activities. The coastal region of British Columbia, which includes the famous Inside Passage
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is characterized by a rugged coastline dotted with fjords, inlets, and thousands of islands
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including Vancouver Island and the Haida Gwaii Archipelago. This area is heavily influenced by the Pacific Ocean, leading to a mild, wet climate
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particularly in the coastal rainforests. The Great Bear Rainforest, one of the world's largest
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temperate rainforests, is home to an abundance of wildlife including the rare white kermode bear
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Moving inland, the terrain rises to the coast mountains, an imposing range that includes some
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of the province's highest peaks and extensive glaciation. These mountains act as a climatic
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barrier, creating the wet conditions on the coast and sheltering the interior regions
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The coastal mountain range is also treasured for its alpine scenery and outdoor recreation opportunities
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especially in areas like Whistler, a world-famous ski resort. Beyond the Coast Mountains, the interior of British Columbia is more varied
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The central and southern parts of the province are dominated by the Columbia Mountains
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sometimes referred to as part of the Rocky Mountains. These regions feature some of the most picturesque landscapes in Canada
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with towering peaks, deep valleys, and crystal clear lakes. Between these two mountain ranges lies the interior plateau, encompassing areas such
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as the Caribou, the Chilcotin, and the Okanagan. The Okanagan Valley, famous for its sunny climate and wine production, contrasts sharply
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with the lush, wet coast. In fact the southern portion of the valley is actually classified as a desert something most people wouldn associate with British Columbia Further north the landscape transitions into the vast sparsely populated regions of the northern interior dominated by the Canadian Rockies and the Cassiar Mountains
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This region, much of which is wild and untouched, is known for its wilderness and wildlife
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including large populations of moose, bears, and caribou. In addition to these terrestrial features, British Columbia's hydrography is dominated
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by significant rivers such as the Fraser, Columbia, and Skeena, which have played vital
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roles in the province's history and development. The Fraser River, in particular, is central to
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the province's geography, running for over 1,300 kilometers and draining a large portion of the
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interior plateau at Vancouver. British Columbia's physical geography bucks the Pacific Northwest
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stereotype. While it has wet coastal areas, it also has drier, sunnier regions that are more
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amenable to agriculture, which begs the question, why do most people live in the far southwest
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corner of the province and not where it's sunnier. British Columbia, Canada's westernmost province
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is a huge province. In fact, all of Texas could fit within the province with over 200,000 square
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kilometers left over. But despite its geographic size, about 60% of its population is concentrated
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in the southwest, leaving the rest of the province feeling pretty empty. As with most places in the
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world, the initial settlement and development patterns in British Columbia played a crucial
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role in its population concentration. Both Vancouver and Victoria were among the earliest
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areas to be colonized and urbanized due to their strategic coastal locations. Victoria
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located on Vancouver Island, became an important trading post and was the capital of the colony
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of Vancouver Island before the union with the mainland. Vancouver, situated on the mainland
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emerged as a major port city and a commercial hub due to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean
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and later, its connection to the rest of Canada through the Canadian Pacific Railway
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And with early prominence came economic opportunities that have compounded through the years
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Vancouver, as a gateway to the Asia-Pacific region, and a hub for industries such as technology, film, and finance
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offers a deep pool of employment opportunities. Similarly, Victoria, with its government services and tourism industry
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has much to offer as well. These economic prospects, coupled with higher education institutions
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and cultural amenities make these cities highly desirable for residents seeking job opportunities
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and urban lifestyles. But it's not just about the cities themselves. Geographic constraints also play
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a pivotal role in the population distribution. Much of British Columbia's terrain is very rugged
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and mountainous, with the coastal and rocky mountain ranges creating significant barriers
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to development. The interior and northern regions of the province, while rich in natural resources
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are less hospitable for large-scale urbanization due to factors like harsher climates
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less accessible transportation networks, and limited arable land. This has naturally led to a concentration of more population in the more geographically favorable coastal areas That said Kelowna located in the Okanagan Valley does have a fairly large population due to its physical proximity to agriculturally productive lands and a wine industry that is world
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But outside of those three cities, the vast majority of British Columbia's land area
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remains very sparsely populated. These areas, while scenically stunning and resource-rich, lack the concentrated economic opportunities and infrastructure that drive significant
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population growth. Today, the largest metro region in British Columbia would be Vancouver
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with about 2.6 million people. This would be followed by Victoria with about 400,000
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These two combined make up more than 60% of British Columbia's population
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Outside of these two, Kelowna would be the largest metro region with about 230,000 people
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followed by Abbotsford with 200,000, Nanaimo and Kamloops with 115,000 each, and Chilliwack with 113,000 people
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No other metro area in British Columbia has more than 100,000 people
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Canada's full ownership of Vancouver Island, despite part of it extending below the 49th parallel
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the primary dividing line between Canada and the United States, is a result of historic agreements that shaped the boundaries of these two countries
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The origin of the 49th parallel as a border can be traced back to the early 1800s
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During this period, both Britain and the United States had territorial claims on the Pacific Northwest
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The area, known as the Oregon Country by Americans and the Columbia District by the British
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was a subject of significant contention between the two powers. But in 1846, the Oregon Treaty was negotiated to resolve this dispute
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The treaty established the 49th parallel as the boundary between British and American territories
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from the Rocky Mountains to the Strait of Georgia. However, the agreement specifically granted all of Vancouver Island to Britain, despite
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its southern tip, the area around present-day Victoria, lying south of the 49th parallel
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This exception was made primarily because cutting the island at the 49th parallel would
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have been impractical and resulted in administrative and logistical challenges. The decision to grant the entire island to Britain was also influenced by strategic considerations
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Maintaining British control over the entire island ensured that the British Royal Navy
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would have access to the Pacific via the strategic naval base at Eskimo
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This naval presence was crucial for protecting British interests in the Pacific
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especially considering the growing power and westward expansion of the United States
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The rest is, as we say, history. Vancouver Island remains part of Canada
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despite existing significantly below the 49th parallel. The same cannot be said of Point Roberts, however
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a geographic oddity that belongs to the state of Washington. But that will have to wait for a future episode
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British Columbia is vast, but its population really isn't. And this mostly has to do with the province's unique geographic constraints
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that aren't really felt in the rest of Canada. I hope you enjoyed learning more about British Columbia
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