Port Alberni, British Columbia
From Freepedia
Port Alberni, British Columbia is a city located in the province of British Columbia in Canada. It is the seat of the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District. The city has a total population of 19,531.
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Geography
Port Alberni is located at 49°6′ N 124°29′ W. Port Alberni is located within the Alberni Valley at the head of the Alberni Inlet, on Vancouver Island. The other end of the inlet is located on Barkley Sound, Clayoquot Sound.
History
The town of Alberni was named for Captain Don Pedro de Alberni, a Spanish officer, who commanded the fort at Nootka on Vancouver Island's west coast from 1790 to 1792. The first European settlers in the area were with the Anderson Company (a sawmilling company) from London, England in 1860. The original mill failed but several others were established in the 1880s. Port Alberni was incorporated in 1912.
Port Alberni's main industries were once mining and logging, but today the town is also reinventing itself as a major tourist destination for those who enjoy outdoor recreation.
In 1964, Port Alberni was hit by two tsunamis during the Good Friday Earthquake. About 375 homes were damaged and 55 were washed away.
In 1967 the twin cities of Alberni (to the north) and Port Alberni (to the south) amalgamated to form Port Alberni.
Demographics
The total population of Port Alberni and surrounding suburbs consisting of both the Cherry and Beaver Creek districts is 26,569 (as of the 2004 census conducted by Statistics Canada.)
Economy
The chief source of employment in Port Alberni is the forest industry. A large paper mill sits on the edge of the Alberni Inlet. Some farming is practiced on the Alberni Valley's red clay soils.
Attractions
Port Alberni is located near Pacific Rim National Park. The city is also known for its fishing. Its waters contain five different species of salmon and yearly runs of steelhead. Halibut can also be found in the salt water inlets near the city.
Port Alberni is home to the McLean Saw Mill, a national historical site incorporating a steam railway from the downtown harbour to the saw mill up the valley. (http://www.alberniheritage.com/)
Port Alberni is home to the Alberni Valley Bulldogs, a Junior A hockey team in the BCHL.
Famous Persons
The first (and only) female prime minister of Canada, Kim Campbell, was born in Port Alberni.
Wheelchair athlete and humanitarian Rick Hansen was born in Port Alberni.
Paul Cyr was born in Port Alberni and was drafted into the NHL by the Buffalo Sabres in the first round (9th overall) in 1982.
Rob Shick was born in Port Alberni and has been a referee in the NHL since 1986.
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