Burrard Inlet

BURRARD INLET is the convoluted body of water forming VANCOUVER's waterfront. It extends from Point ATKINSON along the base of the North Shore mountains, through Vancouver harbour into INDIAN ARM and as far east as PORT MOODY, around STANLEY PARK into ENGLISH BAY and FALSE CRK and along Kitsilano, JERICHO BEACH and Spanish Banks to Point Grey, a total shoreline of 152.6 km. The sand beaches of the inlet were formed by silt from the FRASER R carried by the TIDES around Point Grey. The same process warms the water in the inlet during the summer, making it popular with swimmers. Much of the shoreline has been fringed by seawalls and pedestrian walkways. The entrance to the central harbour is via First Narrows; the inner harbour stretches from Second Narrows to Port Moody. Both narrows are spanned by bridges and the harbour as a whole is ringed by shipping facilities. Ferry service between the North Shore and downtown began in 1900 and is now provided by BC TRANSIT's SEABUS passenger service. The inlet was home to the Tsleil-Waututh, SQUAMISH and MUSQUEAM nations, who occupied several village sites. It was explored in June 1792 by Capt George VANCOUVER's expedition -- Vancouver named it after his friend Capt. Harry Burrard of the Royal Navy -- then ignored by outsiders until 1859 when Capt G.H. RICHARDS surveyed it aboard HMS Plumper. During the 1860s LOGGING began, and the earliest non-aboriginal communities took root at MOODYVILLE on the north side of the harbour and GRANVILLE on the south side. With the decision to make the inlet the western terminus of the CPR in 1886, its future as a major shipping centre was assured and activity in the inlet grew along with the new city of Vancouver. In all seasons the inlet presents a busy scene of boats of all descriptions, from large freighters and CRUISE SHIPS to the smallest sailboats and windsurfers.