Do You Know British Columbia? Trivia Quiz

Answer: Vineyards

The Okanagan Valley is often referred to as the "Napa of the North" due to its flourishing wine industry. It is a stunning region located in the interior of British Columbia, Canada, also renowned for its picturesque landscapes and pleasant climate. The region boasts numerous wineries and vineyards that produce a wide variety of wines, including Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and ice wines. Many wineries offer tours and tastings, making it a great destination for wine enthusiasts.

Kelowna is the largest city in the valley. It is a great place to base yourself if you want to visit multiple wineries.

While I'd go anywhere for a good curried lamb kebab, the Okanagan Valley is not known for them. However, if anyone knows of a place... let me know!

Answer: Hot springs

Located in southern British Columbia, only 62 kilometers from the nearest border crossing to the US, the Village of Harrison Hot Springs is often considered the most famous hot spring destination in British Columbia. It is renowned for its long history as a hot spring retreat and its scenic location in the Fraser Valley, right on the banks of the Harrison River.

The springs were discovered entirely by accident. Gold-seeking adventurers fell into the lake and thought that they were going to die of hypothermia, only to discover that the lake was, in fact, warm. The springs were unearthed and two were discovered. The colder, "Potash", is at 40 degrees C, while the hotter, "Sulphur", is at 65 degrees. Both have a high concentration of dissolved minerals making them a very healthy destination for vacationers.

Answer: Whistler

The XXI Olympic Winter Games were held in British Columbia. The main host city was Vancouver, however, all of the skiing events were held at the nearby resort town of Whistler. While the name implies the whistling of the wind through the Rocky Mountains, the actual reason for the name comes from the hoary marmots, a local rodent, which makes a distinctive whistling sound when communicating, especially as a danger call when predators are approaching.

Whistler itself is a beautiful resort town known for exceptional skiing and snowboarding. Even in the summer months, the town is bustling with activities, mostly related to nature and extreme sports. There is also a beautiful gondola ride that connects the peak of Whistler to the one at Blackcomb.

Answer: Mount Fairweather

Mount Fairweather is a prominent and imposing mountain located on the border between British Columbia, Canada, and Alaska, United States. At 4671m, it is the highest point in British Columbia and one of the tallest in North America. It was named by Captain James Cook for the unusually fair weather that he and his crew encountered while near the peak. However, this is not the case most days - it is often obscured in clouds and the weather on it can be very harsh.

The first ascent of Mount Fairweather was completed on June 7, 1931, by a team led by led by Allen Carpé, W.S. Ladd, Andy Taylor, and Terris Moore. Ladd and Taylor did not make the final summit; however, Carpé and Moore managed to get to the top despite numerous storms.

The mountain has importance to the Tlingit people, an indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest of North America. They call the mountain 'Tsalxhaan' and have a legend about it and a neighbouring mountain that they were together, but then separated. The two smaller peaks between them are their children.

Answer: The Canadian Pacific Railway

The Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) is one of Canada's most iconic and historically significant transportation projects. Up to the completion of the line, traffic between both sides of Canada was difficult and time-consuming. The completion of the CPR allowed for the two sides of the country to come closer and helped unify a fledgeling nation.

The most famous moment in CPR's history was the driving of the last spike on November 7, 1885, at Craigellachie, British Columbia, a site in the Eagle Pass of the Monashee Mountains. Years before, construction of the CPR began under the leadership of engineer and surveyor Sandford Fleming. The railway faced several significant challenges including difficult terrain, harsh weather, and financial setbacks. Immigrant Chinese labourers were one of the main driving forces in getting the job done.

Answer: Yoho

Takakkaw Falls, Emerald Lake, and the Burgess Shale fossil beds are all iconic and fascinating natural attractions located in the Yoho National Park in the Canadian Rockies. This National Park straddles the border of British Columbia and Alberta and its name comes from the Cree expression for awe and wonder - similar to "wow". Knowing this, you would expect this park to be stunning, and it does not disappoint.

Takakkaw Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in Canada, with a total height of 384 meters, including its free-leaping drop of 254 meters. The name "Takakkaw" is derived from the Cree language and means "it is magnificent", another expression for the wonder of the park.

Emerald Lake is renowned for its stunning emerald-green waters, which are the result of light reflecting off fine particles of glacial silt suspended in the water. The lake is surrounded by towering mountains, including the President Range, and it's one of the most photographed spots in the Canadian Rockies.

The Burgess Shale is one of the world's most significant fossil sites, offering a glimpse into the life forms of the Middle Cambrian period, around 508 million years ago. The site contains exquisitely preserved fossils of soft-bodied organisms, shedding light on the early evolution of life on Earth. The fossils were discovered by American paleontologist Charles Walcott in 1909 and have contributed significantly to our understanding of prehistoric life.

The other National Park names can actually be found in the Yukon.

Answer: Bugaboos

The Bugaboos are a renowned mountain range and alpine climbing destination in the Purcell Mountains of southeastern British Columbia. The 'Bugs' are internationally renowned as an alpine climbing paradise. Climbers from around the world are drawn to the challenging routes and incredible alpine scenery. The climbing diversity and experience are both excellent making this a desirable location for both experienced and advanced climbers.

The Bugaboos are a collection of granite spires and towering peaks. Some of the most famous peaks in this range include Bugaboo Spire, Snowpatch Spire, and Pigeon Spire, all of which are considered classic alpine climbing objectives. Access to the Bugaboos can be challenging, as it requires a combination of driving and hiking. Visitors typically drive to the trailhead and then embark on a hike to reach the climbing areas.

Answer: Great Bear Rainforest

The Great Bear Rainforest is one of the world's most pristine and ecologically significant temperate rainforests. Located along the coast in central British Columbia, just south of Prince Rupert, it's about 6.4 million hectares of rugged land with diverse flora and fauna.

As a temperate rainforest, the region experiences a high level of precipitation throughout the year. The Great Bear Rainforest has ancient cedars and spruce trees and a wide variety of mosses, ferns, and lichens as well. There are many animals as well, including salmon, wolves, black bears, grizzly bears, cougars, and the rare white Kermode bear, often referred to as the "spirit bear", for which the rainforest is named.

The rainforest is on the traditional lands of several Indigenous nations. The Heiltsuk, Kitasoo/Xai'xais, Nuxalk, Gitga'at, and Wuikinuxv nations all call the forest home and have learned to live in harmony with the humid region.

Answer: Haida Gwaii

The Haida Gwaii is an archipelago located off the northern coast of British Columbia, Canada. The archipelago consists of approximately 150 islands, with two main islands, Graham Island to the north and Moresby Island to the south.

Originally thought to be a part of the land bridge that allowed humans to cross over from Asia into the Americas, human settlement has existed on the islands for over 13 thousand years. The Haida people came from these original settlers and developed into a seafaring tribe that thrived on the islands. The Haida are renowned for their art, particularly their totem pole carving, which depicts family crests, legends, and cultural stories. These totem poles serve as both artistic expressions and markers of clan and family identity.

Answer: False

Two parts of the statement are incorrect:

First of all, the capital of British Columbia is Victoria. Though located on Vancouver Island, it's still a four-hour drive and ferry ride from Vancouver itself. Vancouver is one of Canada's most ethnically diverse cities, with a significant immigrant population. You can definitely get a curried lamb kebab there [I've tried the ones at Grace of India and the curried lamb there is great]. Despite being a large city, it's also a very green city, with open spaces, a nice beach, and plenty of bicycle culture.

Secondly, it's a misconception that Vancouver receives more rainfall than any other Canadian city. Because it's on the coast, the climate is milder than an inland city, and you'll experience mild winters without a ton of snowfall as well as summers that aren't unbearably hot. Vancouver gets typically an average annual rainfall of approximately 1,133 mm. By comparison, St. John's, Newfoundland, gets 1,484 mm and Halifax, Nova Scotia, gets 1,346 mm. So, while 'Raincouver' does get a lot of rainy days, it's not the rainiest.