VANCOUVER, British Columbia, third city of Canada and its chief port, situated on the south side of Burrard inlet, had a population of 117,217 in 1921, and of in 1931 (in cluding annexations). The growth of the city dates from the coming of the Canadian Pacific railway in 1885, and the increasing Oriental trade and the shipping of wheat to Europe by way of the Panama Canal have revolutionized the status of the port in recent years. In 1912 there were no shipments of grain or flour, but in 1936, 53,800,000 bu. of wheat were exported. In 1912, 9,382 vessels entered, and in 1936, 15,951, the largest tonnage of any Canadian port. The wheat storage capacity of the port is now very large, and the whole crop of Alberta can be handled. The export trade is particularly active when the Great Lake ports are closed by ice. Timber, canned and salt fish, flour, and apples are other important articles of export. There were 773 industrial establishments in 1936, including a number of foundries, fish canning and curing and oil works, shingle, saw, paper, and pulp mills, sugar refineries, breweries and shipbuilding yards.
The harbour is one of the finest natural harbours in the world, and large improvements, including three new piers, have been made in recent years. The port is a terminus of the Canadian
Pacific and Canadian National railway systems, and of the British Columbia electric railway company's line. The Pacific Great Eastern line, serving the country north of Howe Sound, is designed also to terminate at Vancouver. Fifty steamship lines run to Japan, China, Australasia, Honolulu, San Francisco, Alaska, etc. Industrial development is also proceeding rapidly, especially on Granville Island, a large block of reclaimed land near the business district. South Vancouver, industrial municipal ity annexed to Vancouver, had a population of 32,267 in 1921. North Vancouver on the north shore of Burrard inlet, nearly 2 m. from the centre of the city, had a population of 8,510 in 1931, and is connected by bridge and railway with Vancouver proper. Point Grey, a residential suburb which had a population of 13,736 in 1921, has also been annexed to the city, and contains the University of British Columbia, which has absorbed the British Columbia branch of McGill university. The still newer munici pality of West Vancouver adjoins North Vancouver.