Prince George, BC
Prince George is northern British Columbia’s largest city, having a population of just over 74,000 people. It is also the major service and supply hub of the region, which is one of the country’s fastest growing regions. Prince George’s history dates back to 1807, when it was an important fur trading post. Today, it plays an important role in the province’s economy, which is dominated by the service industry. It is also an important centre of culture and education, as well as being quite a beautiful city due to its location at the confluence of the Nechako and Fraser Rivers.
Sitting between the northern and southern parts of the Rocky Mountain Trench means that Prince George is quite a picturesque city to live in. It is also extremely culturally rich, having numerous art galleries, art studios, museums and theatres; the three most prominent being the Two Rivers Gallery, Studio 2880 houses the Artists' Workshop, Theatre Northwest, and the Exploration Place Museum and Science Centre as top cultural sites to visit. In terms of shopping and dining, the small downtown area is a great place to go if you want to shop in local boutiques and dine in trendy cafés.
Everyone that enters the city is welcomed by Mr. P.G; a 10 metre high man made from tree stumps. The city mascot was constructed in 1960 to symbolise the city’s importance in the forest industry. Seven of the city’s bus routes pass by the official mascot, while two bus routes connect parts of the city to the University of Northern British Columbia. There are also buses to the College of New Caledonia, as well as some of its elementary and secondary schools. Still, only around 14 percent of the city’s residents completed post-secondary studies.
Prince George is quite a young city, with the median age of residents being just 34 years old. This matches the growth of the area, as it is becoming a new, thriving city. However, it is not known to be the safest place in Canada, though its culture makes up for it. There are also some lovely residential communities in the city, like St. Lawrence Heights, College Heights and Hart Highlands. As well, there are some great opportunities for enjoying recreational activities, like hiking, canoeing and skiing. Most residents will mention the Prince George’s annual events, which include the British Columbia Northern Exhibition, the Snow Daze Winter Festival and Downtown Summerfest.
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