Introduction
Welcome to the Sunshine Coast....a
relaxed rural setting with vibrant, self-contained communities 40 minutes by ferry from
the amenities of Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.
The Sunshine Coast population stretches 96 km along the eastern shores of Georgia Strait
and is administered by 4 local governments. The Sunshine Coast includes the Town of Gibsons, District of Sechelt, the Sechelt Indian Government District and the
unincorporated areas of Langdale, Roberts Creek, Halfmoon Bay, Secret Cove, Pender
Harbour, Earl's Cove, Egmont, Elphinstone and West Howe Sound (known as the Sunshine Coast
Regional District).
A forty minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale provides access to this region
from the lower mainland and Vancouver areas. 96 kilometers north from Langdale via
Highway 101 is Earl's Cove where there is another ferry bound for Saltery Bay and the
upper Sunshine Coast, which includes Powell River and Lund. The lower Sunshine Coast
consists of approximately 388,000 hectares of land; the area's economic base includes
recreation, tourism, forestry, farming and fishing. The area boasts part of British
Columbia's most picturesque coastline. Its close proximity and relative low property
values (when compared to the Lower Mainland) have helped to accelerate population growth
and development in the past few years.
Researchers have found proof of settlement by the Coast Salish Indians from at least 3,000
years ago in caves in the Coast Mountain Range above the Sechelt and Jervis Inlets. The
ancestral territory of the local Salish Indians extended from the head of the Queen's
Reach in Jervis Inlet to the western entrance of Howe Sound. The indigenous people of this
area became known as Sechelts, a derivation of the she'shalt, meaning "the
people".
Nature abounds throughout Sechelt and along the Sunshine Coast. Development of Sechelt is
geographically limited to a thin ribbon directly along the shore bordered by the Strait of
Georgia on one side and Sechelt Inlet on the other. Land animals include deer, elk, black
bear, cougars, raccoons and mountain goat. Along the creeks and rivers are mink, river
otters and beaver. Offshore are seals, sea elephants, sea lions, whales and dolphins. An
abundance of bird life occupies the wood lands and shore lines with osprey, blue heron,
bald eagle, black vulture, geese and loons being common sights. There is also an abundance
of sea life. Local salmon species include sockeye, coho, chinook and pink chum. Trout
include cutthroat, rainbow, steelhead and Kokanee varieties. |
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