Lets be honest, Vancouverites think they know everything about their city. But can you blame us? We just take a lot of pride in where we live and we like to express that feeling to everyone. Constantly.We really don't have much to complain about over here on the West Coast.
If you're anything like me, you pride yourself on knowing strange random facts about everything. That's where this list comes in handy. So at your next party you can toss out some of these random facts that I bet you didn't know about Vancouver.
1. The Lions Gate Bridge was built by the Guinness Beer Company
Originally built in 1937 to provide easy access to the British Properties.
2. The entire city burned down
In 1886, most of Vancouver was burned to the ground by the Great Vancouver Fire. Originally started to clear land near Main Street, this fire destroyed nearly everything in its path.
3. The Marine building was the tallest in Vancouver
Way before the Shangri-la, back in 1930 the Marine Building, the one with the beautiful gold doors, was the tallest building in Vancouver.
4. We have the second largest port in North America
Coming in second right after New York, Vancouver is the largest port of North America in both tonnage and size.
Photo cred - @kennyliuu
5. We are also home to one of the major cruise ship ports in the world
Vancouver has the fourth largest cruise ship terminal in the world. Cruise ships begin sailing in April through until October.
6. Vancouver has 5 sister cities:
- Odessa, Ukraine
- Yokohama, Japan
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Guangzhou, China
- Los Angeles, United States
Photo cred - @noraveravisuals
7. BC Place has the largest retractable roof in the world
The one-of-a-kind retractable roof reveals over 7,500 square metres of sky.
8. The British Properties originally required you to have a British Passport to live there
And many groups of people were excluded from this residential settlement.
9. We have the largest LGBTQ+ community in Western Canada
Our Pride Parade is one of the biggest in the world and has attracted over 500,000 people. Davie Street & the West End is the most accepting LGBTQ+ Community with inclusive night clubs, events and festivities.
10. Over 40% of Vancouverites weren't born here
We are the second most international city in the country after Toronto.
11. Kits pool is the longest pool in Canada
Kitsilano's salt water pool is 451 ft long, about the size of 3 Olympic pools.
12. The first McDonald's to open its doors in Canada was in 1967 in Richmond
13. Stanley Park is bigger than Central Park
At 1001 acres, Stanley Park is 10% bigger than Central Park.
14. Vancouver is home to Canada’s only nude beach
Wreck Beach is also the largest clothing optional beach in North America.
15. The California Roll was invented by a Vancouver Sushi Chef
Created by Hidekazu Tojo, a British Columbian Hall of Fame Chef. For more of his amazing creations you can dine at his restaurant, Tojo's on West Broadway.
16. We have the world's longest cable-supported transit-only bridge
The Skybridge over the Fraser River connects New West and Surrey commuters and is the longest in the world.
17. Vancouver is the home of Green Peace
in 1971 a group of activists from Vancouver came together to try & stop nuclear bomb testing in Alaska through the organization. Greenpeace is the world’s most visible environmental organization.
18. Vancouver is named after Captain George Vancouver
Although he apparently wasn't a big fan of the place.
Photo cred - @ben_ze_van
19. We have one of the sexiest beaches in the world
Forbes Traveler Magazine added Kits beach to the list of top 10 sexiest beaches in the world. Up there with the white sandy beaches in Miami and some of the best surf beaches in California.
20. These celebrities are all from Vancouver
And Some of them can be spotted regularly in the city.
21. North Vancouver was not always called North Vancouver
Originally named Moodyville after Sewel Moody, the man who opened the first sawmill on the North Shore. In the early 1900s the city was eventually re-named North Vancouver.
22. In 1947, a law was passed in Vancouver that made it illegal to sell stoves on a Wednesday within city limits.
Fortunately the law was eventually repealed, after almost 40 years.
Follow us on Snapchat:narcityvan
