LGBTQ+ Facts
Victoria is a destination that welcomes visitors of all identities. This city embraces its LGBTQ+ community and is ranked as one of the friendliest cities in the world according to Conde Nast’s 25 best cities in the world list.
The LGBTQ+ community in Victoria lives, works, and enjoys all this city has to offer. There are also many safe accommodations in Victoria, from Travel Alternatives Group (TAG), a list of LGBTQ+-friendly accommodations.
For more information about Victoria’s LGBTQ+ scene, check out the Tourism Victoria website.
Mental Health in Victoria, British Columbia
In British Columbia, between 19.6% and 26.2% of people (about one million people) will experience a mental health condition or illness every year. Approximately 84,000 children and youth in BC have a mental health disorder. Unfortunately, fewer than one-third of those kids are receiving mental health services or treatment.
If you know a young person who would benefit from counseling at LGBTQ and ALL, we have an extensive list of qualified mental health professionals in the Victoria area. Head to our database to find out more.
Top Features in Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia. It can be found on the south end of Vancouver Island. This city is known for its vast parkland and is a nature lovers’ paradise with endless outdoor activities. The city also has stunning Victorian architecture, including the impressive Craigdarroch Castle mansion. Another popular attraction is Butchart Gardens, a 55-acre property with vibrant floral displays, statues, water features, and a carousel. This destination is considered to be one of many formal gardens throughout Victoria.
Here are some of the other most popular attractions in Victoria:
- Royal BC Museum
- Fairmont Empress Hotel
- Parliament Buildings
- Market Square
- Cook Street Village
- Beacon Hill Park
- Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site
- Hatley Park National Historic Site
- Victoria Butterfly Gardens
- Victoria Bug Zoo
- Chinatown and Fan Tan Alley
- Maritime Museum of British Columbia
Facts
- Due to its renowned and thriving climate, Victoria is referred to as the City of Gardens.
- Victoria has an annual flower count that traces back to the 1970s.
- Victoria’s Chinatown district is the oldest one of its kind in Canada, and Fan Tan Alley is the narrowest street in the nation.
- This city is one of the most bike-friendly cities in Canada, with hundreds of kilometers of paths for cycling, bike lanes, and routes throughout the city, like the incomparable Galloping Goose Regional Trail.
- The waters in Victoria are home to 76 orca whales (three resident pods).
- The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria contains the most extensive collection of Asian art in the country.
- Every year, half a million cups are served at the Fairmont Empress hotel.
History/Data
Vancouver Island developed into a British crown colony in 1849. At the time, Fort Victoria was its capital. Then, more settlers arrived in the region, and a small village emerged around the fort. During the early 1850s, the town had been officially surveyed, and finally, in 1852, they gave the settlement the name Victoria.
When it comes to indigenous people and land acknowledgment, there are three main groups located on Vancouver Island:
- Coast Salish.
- Nuu-chah-nulth.
- Kwakwaka’wakw.
In 2021, it was determined that the population of Victoria was approximately 389,910 residents.