About Vancouver

Bordered by the Coast Mountain Range and the Pacific Ocean, Vancouver is located almost exactly halfway between Europe and the Asia Pacific region and is recognized as one of the world’s most liveable cities.

Archaeological evidence shows that the Coast Salish people had settled the Vancouver area by 500 B.C. Vancouver is the eighth largest city in Canada with a population of 578,000 (2006 census) and has one of the mildest climates in Canada.

The City of Vancouver is renowned for its innovative programs in the areas of sustainability and inclusivity. It is also one of the most cosmopolitan cities in North America with dozens of cultures represented in restaurants, stores, markets and distinctive neighbourhoods throughout the region.

The city was the host for 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

Language

The City of Vancouver is quite cosmopolitan and is a mix of many multicultural groups. Because the city is multicultural, it's also multilingual on an unofficial level. Its people speak many different languages and many follow the traditions of their native lands, sometimes moderating them with Canadian culture.

After English and Chinese, the most common mother tongue languages spoken are Punjabi, German, Italian, French, Tagalog (Filipino) and Spanish. More than half of Vancouver's school-age children have been raised speaking a language other than English.

Restaurants

Kidney Smart Restaurant Campaign 
Vancouver, BC Canada
March 10 – April 12, 2010

Keep your kidneys healthy by choosing the Kidney Smart option while dining out in Vancouver! Beginning on March 10th World Kidney Day and running through the week of WCN 2011, official hotels and restaurants around the city will be offering signature menu items with the Kidney Smart label.

The Kidney Smart Restaurant Campaign is a joint initiative of the BC Renal Agency, the Kidney Foundation of BC, Tourism Vancouver and a select group of ten downtown Vancouver hotel restaurants. During the campaign, participating restaurants will be offering renal dietitian-approved, Kidney Smart meal options on their menus.  In general, a Kidney Smart diet is the same diet recommended by Canada’s Food Guide.  A Kidney Smart diet is also good for heart health.

Promoting Kidney Health at Home and in the Developing World
For every Kidney Smart meal they serve, participating restaurants will make a $2 charitable donation to the campaign. Proceeds will be split between the Kidney Foundation of BC – to support local kidney disease awareness and prevention efforts, and the International Society of Nephrology  – to support improved kidney care in the developing world.

Participating Kidney Smart Hotel Restaurants
Vancouver restaurants participating in the Kidney Smart campaign are located in the following list of official hotels for the World Congress of Nephrology, being held in Vancouver April 8- 12, 2011.

Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
Fairmont Pacific Rim
Fairmont Waterfront
Hyatt Regency Vancouver
Pan Pacific Hotel Vancouver
Renaissance Vancouver Harbourside Hotel
Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre Hotel
Sutton Place Hotel
Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Hotel
Westin Bayshore Vancouver

Shopping

There are unique areas all around Vancouver for clothing, art, ceramics, furniture and much more waiting for you to discover. To search for shopping by category or city center, visit the Tourism Vancouver website.

Things to Do

From the theatre to water sports, there’s something for everyone to do and see while in British Columbia. For a listing of attractions go online to the Hello BC website.

For more information, visit the Tourism Vancouver website.