• Visiting Victoria
    Victoria is the perfect destination to learn English as a Second Language 

10 Things You May Not Know About Victoria

  • Victoria’s nickname- the city of the newlywed or newly dead- doesn’t just come from anywhere. Nearly 18% of the population is over the age of 65. Retirement, anyone?
  • Victoria has the second oldest Chinatown in North America, only behind San Francisco. It is in Chinatown that you can find the narrowest alleyway in all of Canada.
  • Victoria has the second highest number of restaurants per capita in North America. Once again, only behind San Francisco.
  • Victoria is considered the bicycle capital of Canada because of an extensive bike path system, along with a high percentage of regular cyclists.
  • Victoria happens to sit in an earthquake zone. However, the threat of a tsunami is quite low. There would have to be a major earthquake in the subduction zone, which is 100 km’s off of Vancouver Island.
  •  Victoria is home to over 70 urban parks, which is quite a lot for a city of its size. 
  • National Geographic designated Victoria as one of the best cold-water diving destinations for its marine diversity and water clarity. In fact, the renowned Jacques Cousteau Society considers it the second best region, only behind the Red Sea.
  • Victoria’s waters are home to 3 separate species of Orca Whales, totaling over 80 mammals.
  • The Maritime Museum of British Columbia, located in Victoria is home to North America’s oldest operating birdcage elevator.
  • Victoria is on Vancouver Island, not Victoria Island.