Cottam Point Georgia Strait BC British Columbia Vancouver Island Canada
The Strait of Georgia or the Georgia Strait (also known as the Gulf of Georgia), is a 240 km long (150 mile) strait between Vancouver Island (as well as its nearby Gulf Islands) and the mainland Pacific coast of British Columbia, Canada. The southern end of the strait is the intersection of Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, while the northern end is Johnstone Strait. Several major islands are in the strait, the largest being Texada Island and Lasqueti Island. The strait is a major navigation channel on the west coast of North America, owing to the presence of the port of Vancouver. The two busiest routes of the British Columbia Ferries system cross the strait, between Tsawwassen (south of Vancouver) and Swartz Bay (near Victoria) and between Horseshoe Bay (north of Vancouver) and Nanaimo. While native communities have surrounded the strait for thousands of years, the first European to explore it was Jose Maria Narvaez of Spain, in 1791. It was named the "Gulf of Georgia" by George Vancouver of Great Britain in 1792, during his extensive expedition along the west coast of North America for King George III. Towns and cities on the strait include Courtenay, Comox, Qualicum Beach, Parksville, Lantzville and Nanaimo on the western shore, as well as Powell River, Sechelt, Gibsons, and Greater Vancouver on the east. Across the border in the United States, Bellingham, Washington and other communities also lie on the eastern shore. Other settlements on Vancouver Island (such as Duncan) and the mainland are separated from Georgia Strait itself by islands, or are far enough south to be considered closer to Puget Sound. The Strait of Georgia is also widely known as a premier scuba diving and whale watching location.
Size: 5624px × 3730px
Location: Nanoose Bay Vancouver Island BC British Columbia Canada
Photo credit: © David Gowans / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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