DESTINATION
Plenty to love about
Western Canada
With an area of some 2.9 million square kilometres and a population of more than 12 million, Western Canada consists of the country’s four westernmost provinces: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba rely heavily on farming, oil and potash. British Columbia is often referred to as the ‘west coast,’ being mostly on the western side of the Canadian Rockies, while the other three are east of the Rockies and are commonly known as ‘The Prairies’. Western Canada boasts its fair share of amazing destinations. It’s rugged and scenic, with stunning alpine lakes and prairies to the ocean. It is tourist heaven where you can ski in winter and hike in the summer. It’s not all about the outdoors either,
having a vibrant cultural scene, from cosmopolitan Vancouver to the variety of festivals held throughout.
The Provinces British Columbia, or B.C., is the western-most province in Canada, bordering the Pacific Ocean. The capital is Victoria on Vancouver Island while the most populated is Vancouver, which ranks among the top cities in the world to live and work. Overall, houses in B.C. are slightly more expensive than the rest of Canada. Richmond, Surrey or Burnaby are popular for lower housing costs and more space within a short commute of the city. Alberta is bordered by the Canadian Rocky Mountains to the west and vast prairies and badlands to the east.
Its population is concentrated in the major urban centres of Calgary and Edmonton. Saskatchewan residents primarily live in the southern prairie half of the province, while the north is mostly forested and sparsely populated. Around half the total population live in Saskatoon or the capital, Regina. Saskatchewan, known as the birthplace of Medicare, offers a high quality of life, a strong sense of community and employment opportunities. Owning a home is affordable and achievable. Manitoba has safe cities, clean air, a variety of cultures and languages, and is one of the more affordable provinces. Winnipeg, the capital, has the lowest average house price in Canada. The standard of living is high and employment opportunities are good.
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