With true pioneering spirit, Vancouver was instantly rebuilt, and the following year, with the arrival of the first transcontinental train at Coal Harbour, it became the west coast terminus for the Canadian Pacific Railway. As the largest port on the west coast of Canada, its 27 specialized terminals handle more tonnage than any other Canadian port. Vancouverites are fashion conscious, sophisticated, fun-loving, and friendly. The city resounds with a cacophony of languages from around the world. Immigrants hail from China, Japan, Hong Kong, Great Britain, India, Pakistan, Italy, Greece, and Eastern Europe.
Newest waves cause ripples of consternation, then everybody gets over it.
But this is overlaid with a lightness of foot lacking in Canada's eastern cities, where harsh winters take their toll. See it on a dull, dreary day when low clouds hide Vancouver's backdrop mountains and you may come away with a less enthusiastic picture. But nothing dampens the outdoorsy, high-spirited atmosphere that pervades this city. To take in the outdoors, Lighthouse Park, Cypress Provincial Park , and Mount Seymour Provincial Park are all close to the city. So are Lynn Canyon Park and Capilano Park , which feature suspension bridges over canyons, and forested nature trails.