Victoria is located on the far southern tip of Vancouver Island off the coast of British Columbia. As the provincial capital of British Columbia and oldest city in Western Canada, Victoria is well known throughout the country for its temperate oceanic climate, spectacular gardens, ocean views, and large number of heritage sites and buildings. The city of Victoria has a population of 80,000 people living in over 47,000 homes, while the much larger Greater Victoria Region has a population of over 344,000 and 167,000 homes.

Many communities, buildings and institutions associated with Victoria are not within the city proper, but are distinct cities, towns and districts within the Greater Victoria Capital Region. 13 municipalities make up the Victoria Region, including the cities of Victoria and Colwood; the towns of Esquimait, Sidney, and View Royal; and the districts of Central Saanich, North Saanich, Langford, Sooke, Oak Bay, Highlands, and Metchosin. The region also includes the unincorporated areas of Juan de Fuca, the Southern Gulf Islands, and Salt Spring Islands.

Victoria is one of the most relaxed, friendly and attractive cities in the country: a great place to live, work, study, raise a family, and retire. It's mix of old-world and modern housing create interesting and unique streetscapes in every neighbourhood.

Nicknames: The Garden City, The Little Smoke, Vic City, Capital City, Cycling Capital of Canada

Population (2011) City: 80,000 | Population Metro Area: 344,600

Area (2011) City Area: 19 km sq | Metro Area: 696 km sq

Current Mayor: Lisa Helps

Current City Council: Marianne Alto, Chris Coleman, Ben Isitt, Jeremy Loveday, Margaret Lucas, Pamela Madoff, Charlayne Thornton-Joe, Geoff Young

The city of Victoria is small but vibrant, and each community has its own unique charms, as do the neighbouring towns, districts and villages within the larger metro area. The commercial and entertainment hub of Victoria is the Downtown area, which is also home to over 240 designated heritage sites and buildings. Many theatres, shops, hotels, restaurants, pubs and night clubs are found here, and the Downtown area is home to most of the Victoria Region's high rise residential and commercial towers. Homes range from high-end condominiums to work-live studios, and the area is popular with young professional singles and couples.

East of Downtown is Harris Green, a small but lively urban neighbourhood with dense apartment and condo housing, and North Park, an affordable area of Victoria with primarily apartment and condominium buildings. Ample public transit and walkable streets with mixed-use development gives both neighbourhoods an urban character that is popular with young people and retirees. South of Downtown is the neighbourhood of James Bay, a very popular retirement community that is home to a particularly large number of active 55+ seniors.

The mature communities of Hillside-Quadra, Oaklands, Fernwood, Jubilee, Gonzales and Victoria West provide local schooling options and plenty of parks and greenspace, making these communities popular for families. Like in all areas of Victoria, housing in these communities includes a mix of styles and sizes, and in most neighbourhoods tree-lined streets and grassy boulevards are common.

While heritage and character homes exist throughout Victoria, there are higher concentrations of these housing styles in the family-centric community of Victoria West, as well as in the communities of Rocklands and Fairfield. Luxury and executive home buyers can select from heritage mansions, modern-styled award-winning houses, charming character properties, and high-end condominium and penthouse suites.

Victoria's population is one of the fittest in the country, with most adults being twice as physically active as the national averages. The mild, predominantly dry climate combined with an astonishing 7,600 hectares of regional, provincial and federal parks in the greater metro area makes Victoria the perfect place for the whole family to lead an active, recreation-enriched lifestyle.

Nicknamed "The Garden City", Victoria is well known throughout the country for its extensive park system, grand public gardens, and oceanfront harbours. The 200 acre Beacon Hill Park located between the neighbourhoods of James Bay and Fairfield, and contains some of Victoria's most spectacular manicured gardens. Home to a diverse collection of wildlife, Beacon Hill Park has free roaming peacocks, a pair of nesting bald eagles, and a large family of great blue herons in addition to a child-friendly petting zoo. Exotic and native trees and plants can be found throughout the park, including Garry Oak, Douglas Fir, and Western Red Cedar trees. Beacon Hill is a popular place for a family picnic, and during the summer the park hosts outdoor concerts and the annual Lantern Festival.

Known as the Cycling Capital of Canada, Victoria is a haven for bicycling enthusiasts, with hundreds of kilometres of paths, bike lanes and bike-friendly routes within the city, included the 55km Galloping Goose Regional Trail, the 29km Lochside Trail, and the new and expanding Harbour Pathway along the waterfront. The mild oceanic climate allow these trails to be used year round by cyclists, hikers and joggers.

As a city built on a primary port, Victoria has several marinas, harbours and beaches that are used by hobbyists and commercial boats of all sizes. Known as the Sailing Capital of BC, there are several boating festivals, shows and international races that take place in our harbours every year. Water sports are a popular recreational pastime on the island, and residents and tourists alike enjoy the city's many beautiful beaches.