Victoria is the capital city of the Canadian province of British Columbia, on the southern tip of Vancouver Island off Canada's Pacific coast.
Named for Queen Victoria, the city is one of the oldest in the Pacific Northwest, with British settlement beginning in 1843.
The city has retained a large number of its historic buildings, in particular its two most famous landmarks, the Parliament Buildings finished in 1897 and home of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, and the Empress hotel, opened in 1908.
The city's Chinatown is the second oldest in North America, after San Francisco's. The region's Coast Salish First Nations peoples established communities in the area long before European settlement, which had large populations at the time of European exploration.
Known as "the Garden City" due to its many parks and gardens, Victoria is an attractive city and a popular tourism destination. One of the most famous gardens is Butchart Gardens, which attracts over a million visitors each year.
The city has a regional technology sector that has risen to be its largest revenue-generating private industry.
Victoria is home to a large number of festivals and events throughout the year, including the Victoria Fringe Festival, the Victoria Dragon Boat Festival, and the Victoria Symphony Splash, a free outdoor concert that takes place in the harbor.
The city has a strong culinary scene, with a variety of restaurants and cafes offering local and international cuisine.
Victoria is in the top twenty of world cities for quality-of-life, according to Numbeo.
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