Vancouver Island

Island off the west coast of Canada, part of British Columbia, separated from the mainland by the straits of Juan de Fuca, Haro, Georgia, Johnstone, and Queen Charlotte Sound; area 32,136 sq km/12,404 sq mi. Industries include coal, timber, fish, and tourism. Fruit is grown, and there is dairying.

History
Vancouver was visited by British explorer Captain Cook in 1778, and surveyed in 1792 by Captain George Vancouver. It was established as a British crown colony in 1849 under the Hudson's Bay Company, being united with British Columbia in 1866.