Surrey, British Columbia

Surrey, British Columbia
source
Name	Surrey, British Columbia
Coordinates	49.1914, -122.8464
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	Canada
Subdivision type1	Province
Subdivision name1	British Columbia
Leader title	Mayor
Leader name	Doug McCallum
Area total km2	316.41
Population total	518647
Population as of	2016
Population density km2	1638.6
Timezone	Pacific Time Zone
Utc offset	-8
Timezone DST	Pacific Daylight Time
Utc offset DST	-7

Surrey, British Columbia is a city located in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia, near Vancouver, Burnaby, and New Westminster. The city is home to a diverse population, with many residents having ties to India, China, and other countries around the world, including Pakistan, United Kingdom, and United States. Surrey is also close to several major institutions, including Simon Fraser University, University of British Columbia, and Kwantlen Polytechnic University. The city has a number of parks and green spaces, including Tynehead Regional Park, Surrey Lake Park, and Crescent Beach.

Geography

Surrey is situated in the Fraser Valley region, near the Fraser River and Boundary Bay. The city is bordered by Langley, British Columbia to the east, Delta, British Columbia to the west, and White Rock, British Columbia to the south. Surrey is also close to several major highways, including Highway 1 (British Columbia), Highway 10 (British Columbia), and Highway 15 (British Columbia). The city's geography is characterized by a mix of urban and rural areas, with many parks and green spaces, such as Bear Creek Park, Holland Park, and Redwood Park. Surrey is also home to several major waterways, including the Nicomekl River and the Serpentine River, which flow into the Fraser River and Boundary Bay.

History

The area now known as Surrey has been inhabited for thousands of years, with evidence of Indigenous settlement dating back to the Paleoindian period. The city was named after Surrey, a county in England, and was incorporated in 1879. Surrey has a rich history, with many notable events and figures, including the fur trade and the gold rush, which brought many settlers to the area, including James Douglas and Simon Fraser. The city is also home to several historic sites, including the Surrey Museum, Historic Stewart Farm, and Cloverdale Fairgrounds. Surrey has been influenced by many cultures, including the Stó:lō and Haida peoples, as well as Chinese Canadians, Indian Canadians, and Punjabi Canadians.

Demographics

As of the 2016 census, Surrey has a population of over 518,000 people, making it one of the largest cities in British Columbia. The city has a diverse population, with many residents having ties to India, China, and other countries around the world, including Pakistan, United Kingdom, and United States. Surrey is also home to a number of Indigenous communities, including the Stó:lō and Haida peoples. The city has a number of cultural events and festivals, including the Surrey International Folklore Festival, Surrey Fusion Festival, and Vaisakhi celebrations. Surrey is also close to several major institutions, including Simon Fraser University, University of British Columbia, and Kwantlen Polytechnic University, which attract students from around the world, including University of Toronto, McGill University, and University of California, Berkeley.

Economy

Surrey has a diverse economy, with major industries including health care, technology, and manufacturing. The city is home to a number of major companies, including Telus, SAP SE, and IBM. Surrey is also a major hub for small business and entrepreneurship, with many startups and small businesses calling the city home, including Hootsuite, Slack Technologies, and Shopify. The city has a number of major shopping centers, including Guildford Town Centre, Surrey Central City, and Newton Town Centre. Surrey is also close to several major transportation hubs, including Vancouver International Airport, Port of Vancouver, and Fraser Surrey Docks.

Government

Surrey is governed by a mayor-council system, with the mayor and council members elected by the citizens of Surrey. The city is divided into six wards, each represented by a council member. Surrey is also part of the Metro Vancouver regional district, which provides services such as water supply and waste management. The city has a number of community centers and public facilities, including the Surrey City Hall, Surrey Public Library, and Surrey Arts Centre. Surrey is also home to several major institutions, including Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Surrey School District, and Fraser Health Authority.

Education

Surrey has a number of schools and educational institutions, including Surrey School District, which operates over 100 schools in the city. The city is also home to several post-secondary institutions, including Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Simon Fraser University, and University of British Columbia. Surrey has a number of programs and initiatives to support education and lifelong learning, including the Surrey Libraries and the Surrey Museum. The city is also close to several major research institutions, including TRIUMF, Canada's National Laboratory for Particle and Nuclear Physics, and BC Cancer Agency. Surrey is also home to several major schools, including Surrey Christian School, Holy Cross Regional High School, and Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary School.