From powdery peaks to alpine meadows, the Kootenay Rockies boasts a proud history of prospectors and pioneers. Some European settlements are still nestled in these hills following boom gold rush years when Chinese, European and the Ktunaxa First Nations battled on these lands.

Northern British Columbia’s past is made up of people’s connections to this extraordinary natural environment – its first inhabitants can be traced back to 10,500 years ago! Tucked into the vast landscape are remnants of First Nations culture, the early days of Canada’s fur trade and a longstanding tradition of fishing.

Food, wine and agriculture — to know this region is to experience British Columbia’s rich heritage in cultivating delicious fare from the land. Amid its sun-soaked valley’s and mountain peaks, this area is ripe with stories of a past in fruit-picking, railways and mining.

This verdant isle was born of a combination of First Nations and European history, and is home to some of the most enchanting heritage buildings and museums in the province’s capital, Victoria. A population boom from the gold rush helped form Vancouver Island, a region with magnificent Aboriginal heritage, British traditions and diverse eco-systems.

The world-class city of Vancouver and its environs are a focal point of British Columbia’s history. From its Coast Salish roots to the arrival of European settlers by train and boat, the region’s heritage is reflected in the spectacular geography of mountains and ocean.