False Creek

False Creek is a short inlet in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It flows directly through the heart of Vancouver and connects from English Bay in the northwest. 

Many neighbourhoods surround the inlet including Downtown and West End which are separated by False Creek. Strathcona is in the east and Mount Pleasant, Fairview, and Kitsilano are in the south. Along False Creek are many bridges that cross over the inlet. This includes the Cambie, Granville, and Burrard Bridges. It is a very popular place to visit in Vancouver with many sports such as rowing and kayaking being common. The Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival has also been held on False Creek since 1986. 

Before European contact, Coast Salish peoples lived in the area for at least 4500–5000 years where they fished and settled. Smallpox outbreaks devastated the indigenous populations and almost two-thirds of the population were killed by the disease in 1782. In June 1792, European contact was made when Captain George Vancouver approached the area while he was exploring the inner harbour of Burrard Inlet. 

During the 1950s, the lumber industry started to boom in False Creek after the sawmill was built and it was later devastated by a massive five-alarm fire. In 1972, the Official Development Plan was introduced which approved the building of a seawall, housing units, a marina, and a waterfront market. 

The 1980s brought Expo 86 to Vancouver. With the introduction of the world's fair, more construction started along False Creek. Many high-rise condominium were built alongside the inlet after the fair was over.

References

Category:Settlements in British Columbia
Category:Geography of Vancouver