The CPR joined the country from east to west. Since 1885, B.C. has grown quickly. In the last 100 years, people from all over the world have come here to live. In 1996, the total population of B.C. was about 3.7 million. B.C.'s first people About five per cent of the people in B.C. are native.
Native people live in cities and towns.
They also live on reserves. B.C.'s first people are sometimes called Indians. Native people in British Columbia belong to many cultural groups. They speak different languages. They have different histories, traditions, and lifestyles.