Situated in the southernmost area of Western Canada, Vancouver and it's neighbouring communities largely known as Greater Vancouver or the Lower Mainland are bordered by Washington State to the south and the Georgia Strait and Vancouver Island to the west. Native coniferous trees such as the Douglas Fir, Spruce, and Western Hemlock line the Pacific Coast range where Vancouver calls home.

This coastal region is considered a temperate rainforest with moderate temperatures throughout most of the year. The average spring and summer temperature in the Lower Mainland is a comfortable 14.4º celsius. In keeping with the moderate climate, the average during fall and winter is 5.7º celsius. The predictable weather, variety of microclimates, and nearby vicinity to many mountains, the pacific ocean, a delta, and an array of rivers and lakes makes the area an ideal playground for hikers, mountain bikers, snowboarders and other outdoor enthusiasts.

The lush marshland in the delta just a few kilometres south of Vancouver is a crucial part of the life cycle for many migratory birds and other waterfowl such as swans, geese and ducks. Brown and black bears as well as cougars reside in the dense evergreen forests that border much of the Lower Mainland. Permalink