Map of British Columbia Coast

Description: This map shows cities, towns, villages, islands, rivers, lakes, highways, major roads, secondary roads, railways, and national parks on British Columbia Coast.

The British Columbia Coast is a geographic region that forms the western boundary of Canada, stretching from the southern tip of Vancouver Island along the Juan de Fuca Strait to Stewart at the head of Portland Canal. This coastline is remarkably extensive, measuring over 25,725 kilometers due to its intricate, fjord-indented shoreline and more than 40,000 islands.

The region's geography is dominated by the Coast Mountains and Island Mountains which create dramatic landscapes where mountains meet the Pacific Ocean. These mountain ranges form deep fjords along the coastline, resulting in the protected waterways known as the Inside Passage. The largest islands include Vancouver Island and Haida Gwaii (formerly Queen Charlotte Islands).

Archaeological evidence indicates human habitation along this coast dates back at least 14,000 years. The region was one of the most densely populated areas in North America before European contact, with indigenous coastal peoples including the Coast Salish, Nuu-chah-nulth, Kwakwaka'wakw, Haida, and Tsimshian developing complex societies based on the abundant marine resources.

The first European contact occurred in the 1770s, with Spanish explorers arriving in 1774, followed by British explorer James Cook in 1778. The coast was systematically mapped by George Vancouver in 1792. The region's modern political history began in 1858 when the Colony of British Columbia was officially established under British control. In 1866, it merged with the Colony of Vancouver Island, and in 1871, British Columbia joined the Canadian Confederation as its sixth province.

The climate along the British Columbia Coast is predominantly temperate oceanic, characterized by warm summers, cool winters, and consistent precipitation that peaks during winter months. The southernmost areas feature a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. This climate supports the temperate rainforests that dominate the coastal ecology.