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 Salt
Spring Island in British Columbia is the jewel of the Southern Gulf Islands. It is nestled up against the east side
of Vancouver Island. Take a look at the maps of Salt Spring
Island to see where it is located. Salt Spring Island is about half way between Nanaimo and Victoria, the capital
city of BC. The city of Vancouver on the mainland of BC is to the north.
 There
are over ten thousand human residents on Salt Spring Island, several thousand sheep and a sizeable deer population. From time to time, a bear
is spotted, usually on the south end of the island near Ruckle Park, and there are occasional reports of a cougar
being seen, sometimes close to Ganges. It is believed that bears and cougars swim across Sansum Narrows from Vancouver Island.
Nearby Galiano Island is longer but sparsely populated with only about a thousand permanent residents. Galiano,
Mayne and Pender Islands (North & South) are closer to Vancouver and the mainland than Salt Spring Island. Prevost
Island is located between Salt Spring and Active Pass, which separates Galiano and Mayne Islands. There are also scores of smaller islands throughout the
Southern Gulf
Islands. To the south of BC's Gulf Islands are the San Juan Islands in Washington State. They are very similar to
the Southern Gulf Islands.
 Vancouver
Island is bigger than some countries. It lies off the west coast of British Columbia and stretches for some 450 km
or so along the coast — about a third the length of the entire province. Victoria, the capital of BC, is at the
southern tip of Vancouver Island. Duncan, Nanaimo, Courtenay and Campbell River, all along the eastern side of
Vancouver Island, are the only other sizeable communities on Vancouver Island except for Port Alberni off to the
west of Nanaimo. Ucluelet, Tofino and Long Beach are "must visit" places on the west side of Vancouver Island. Bring
your surfboard and your wet suit!
Salt Spring Island has long been known as a very special place in BC. For the population, there are a very large
number of artists, sculptors and musicians living here. The community got together and raised funds to build Art
Spring — a brand new community hall. Many well known musicians, both local and from afar, have performed here
already. Even the pubs have a pretty good showing of local talent performing there.
If you are a part of any community organization or club that would like
to share public information on this site, don't
hesitate to drop us a line by
email,
and of course, don't forget to ask your friends to drop by this site too! Text links to local businesses
can be placed on
the Business Listings page at
no charge for now. Paid advertising will be considered. Articles about public events such as Sea
Capers, the Fall Fair (2007 is the 111th anniversary of the Fall Fair!), art shows and musical performances are especially welcome. If you are from out of town and haven't been
able to find what you are looking for about Salt Spring Island on this site or elsewhere
(see our Business Listings page first!), send your request by
email,
and within reason / time permitting, we will see what we can dig up. |
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