Approximately 600,000 people make up Vancouver's vibrant and diverse population, residing in an area that covers 114 sq km, making it the largest city in the province of British Columbia and the third largest in Canada. The surrounding area accounts for more than 2 million people whose ethnic heritages range from Asian and Pacific Islander to Eastern European and Hispanic. You'll find 60% of the region's office space headquartering forest product and mining companies, banks, biotech, accounting and law firms and software developers. Major employers include the Vancouver International Airport Authority, Coast Capital Savings and Intrawest Corporation. The film industry has long been enthralled with the romantic natural beauty of Vancouver from its mountains to the sea.

A glorious climate prevails in Vancouver for much of the year, one of the reasons filming movies and television shows has become such a major industry here. Surrounded by water on three sides and overlooked by the abrupt rise of the mountains of the Coast Range, Vancouver enjoys one of the mildest climates in the country. Temperatures average 37°F in January and 64°F in July. Average annual precipitation is approximately 48 inches which falls mostly in the winter months.

On statutory holidays, many offices and businesses close or have shortened hours. Naturally, policies vary, but in general, the following holidays are broadly observed:

New Years Day   January 1   Good Friday   varies   Victoria Day   3rd Monday in May   Canada Day   July 1   B.C. Day   1st Monday in August   Labour Day   1st Monday in September   Thanksgiving   2nd Monday in October   Remembrance Day   November 11   Christmas Day   December 25

Getting to Vancouver is easy, and you are likely to find yourself coming through Vancouver International Airport (YVR), Canada's second busiest airport, with some 16.4 million passengers anually coming from all over the world. Non-stop service is available from Asia, North America and Europe. Vancouver International Airport http://www.yvr.ca/ 3211 Grant McConachie Way Richmond, BC V7B 1Y7 604-207-7077 Canada's national train, VIA Rail, and Greyhound Bus both provide service to Pacific Central Station daily. Major taxi companies include Yellow Cab and Black Top Cabs.

The city has a plethora of transportation options to help you get around including the exotic (float planes, helicopters, a gondola, or a ferry to go island hopping), and the standard for the city (buses, shuttle buses, taxis, trolleys, SkyTrain). There is also the SeaBus which goes back and forth between Vancouver and the North Shore, and smaller ferries to explore False Creek. Paddlers will have a blast canoeing and kayaking, or if you prefer, take a power boat or sailboat out to enjoy a view of the city from the water. Despite the range of ways to hop on and ride, often the best way to get to know Vancouver and the North Shore is to walk around. Vancouver boasts an excellent array of trails, paths and walkways, and the city streets are full of sights you won't want to miss.

Vancouver's major daily newspaper is The Sun . Pick up a copy to get the scoop on a wide range of arts and entertainment and sports in the city. Local tabloid paper The Vancouver Province is a good one to flip through if you want to be in-the-know on local affairs. Other specialty publications round out the city's diverse offerings: try City Food for reviews, ratings and news of culinary landscape; The Georgia Straight, a long-standing alternative paper; and Xtra West which covers the gay community and happenings. Television stations include CBC, CityTV, CTV, Channel M, and Global TV. Radio stations with news departments include CBC Radio One, CKNW, and CKWX.

Feeling romantic in Vancouver? It is no wonder when you are surrounded by so much natural majesty. But if you're hearing bells, you can follow your heart as local regulations don't require either person to be a resident of BC to get married here. If you are single and over 19, apply for a license and find a person recognized by the British Columbia Vital Statistics Agency to perform the ceremony. No blood test required. Don't think it strange if a local asks if you've got a loonie or a toony. It doesn't have anything to do with mental health. Canadian currency has changed a bit in the last few years and those changes mean $1 and $2 (toony) bills have been replaced by coins. One dollar coins are loonie because of their loon design and twos are toonies.

There are no freeways in Vancouver, but getting around is surprisingly easy as walking is surely the best way to get to know any city, and Vancouver is especially walker-friendly; many sights and activities are within easy strolling distance. For instance, a walk from Stanley Park to Chinatown should take about a half hour. Most of the streets in the downtown area are laid out in a grid system. The main avenues of Granville, Burrard and Denman run northeast to southwest while Davie and Georgia (which leads to Lion's Gate Bridge) run southeast to northwest. Odd number addresses can be found on the south and west sides of the street.

There are eleven postal stations, nine letter-carrier depots and 142 corporate, franchise and retail outlets in Vancouver. The Main Branch of the post office is located across the street from the Queen Elizabeth Theatre and is now known as the Vancouver Mail Processing Plant. Vancouver Main Post Office 349 W Georgia St Vancouver, BC V6B 3A0 800-267-1177 http://www.canadapost.ca Counter hours 8am-5:30pm

Prices displayed in Canada do not include sales tax and it is generally customary to add a tip for services. Although tipping is personal, restaurant servers typically get 15%-20% of the bill and taxi drivers usually get 15% of the tab. One dollar can cover many situations with exception for a concierge, who generally receives $5-$10 for standard service (additional assistance suggests more). Goods and services tax of 5% applies on every transaction in Canada with exception for basic groceries. In BC, consumers can expect to pay an additional 7% sales tax, not applicable to food, ferries or accommodations. 10% tax is charged on accommodations and alcoholic beverages sold in bars and restaurants.

For the most part, Vancouver is a relatively safe city, especially when you stay within well-lighted, heavily-trafficked areas. However, any large metropolis has its share of crime, so you should take common-sense steps to assure your own safety and that of your goods. In hotels, keep valuables in the front-desk safe or in the one in your room. Keep your car locked, even when driving, and store important items in the trunk if necessary. Don't venture out on your own if possible, and walk with purpose if you find yourself alone. Hold your handbag close to your body, keep wallets in front pockets or in money belts, and don't take out extreme sums when it's not necessary. Also, be especially careful of your passport's whereabouts, and be constantly aware of your surroundings, no matter what you're carrying or the time of day.