Economy

The economy of British Columbia is based primarily on the exploitation and processing of its abundant natural resources.

Fur trapping was the earliest economic activity. Lumbering, mining, farming, and fishing became increasingly significant after 1850. Since World War II manufacturing and services have become the most valuable sectors of the economy. The province also has a growing tourist industry.

Most of British Columbia's manufacturing industries involve the processing of forest, mineral, and food products for sale in other parts of Canada and abroad, especially in the United States and Japan. The province has long been Canada's leading producer of lumber and wood products and has become a major center of paper milling, food processing, and mineral smelting and refining since the 1940's. Other large industries include metal fabricating, printing and publishing, and the production of chemicals, processed foods, and transportation equipment. Most manufacturing is concentrated in the southwest, in and around Vancouver and Victoria.

dominated the economy before the rapid growth of manufacturing, and timber remains one of the province's most valuable natural resources. Though only a very small part of its forest land is commercially exploited, British Columbia normally provides about half of Canada's annual cut. Most of the timber, which consists mainly of conifers, is used for lumber or processed into newsprint, pulp, and plywood.

Gold rushes in 1858 and 1861 marked the beginning of British Columbia's mining industry. Large-scale development, however, has occurred mainly since 1900.

British Columbia is Canada's leading producer of bituminous coal, copper, and silver. By value of production, bituminous coal is the province's chief mineral. Other minerals produced include asbestos, gold, lead, molybdenum, natural gas, petroleum, sulfur, and zinc.

Although farmland accounts for only 3 per cent of British Columbia's area, agriculture contributes significantly to the economy. The chief farming areas are in the northeast, in the southern valleys, and along the east coast of Vancouver Island. Dairying, the raising of beef cattle, hogs, and poultry, and the growing of fruits and vegetables account for much of the agricultural production. The Okanagan Valley is especially noted for apples and other orchard fruits. Wheat is grown in the northeast.

British Columbia's fishing catch is one of the largest and most valuable in Canada. Salmon, caught along the coast and in river estuaries, contribute most of the value of the annual catch. Deep-sea Pacific fisheries yield sizable catches of halibut and herring (for roe). Sole, cod, flounder, and various shellfish are also among the province's catch.

Much of British Columbia is virtually inaccessible; however, major populated areas, especially those in the south, are well served by modern means of transportation. Railways include two transcontinental lines and a provincially owned line. Among the chief roads are the Trans-Canada Highway, in the south, and the Yellowhead Highway, in the north. Both traverse the province east-west. The Alaska Highway serves the northeast.

Air transportation is well developed and serves otherwise inaccessible areas. Ferries link the offshore islands with the mainland. The Inside Passage, which follows narrow channels among the coastal islands, provides a sheltered waterway for passenger and cargo vessels. Vancouver is the chief transportation center. The city is one of Canada's leading seaports and also has one of the nation's busiest international airports.