Vancouver is located in Clark County, Washington and is also the county seat. The city sits on the north bank of Columbia River and has an estimated population of 157,493. Part of the Portland-Vancouver metro area; Vancouver is the fourth largest city in the state. Vancouver, Washington and Portland, Oregon are separated only by the Columbia River, with I-5 and I-205 being the main freeway routes that run through the city. The communities of Ridgefield, Washougal, Camas and Battle Groundlie to the north east of the city and each community offers something different to the county; making each one unique in their own way. The county is outlined in the east by the Cascade Mountains and to the south and west by the Columbia River.
Many corporate and regional headquarters are located in Vancouver along with small businesses, traditional industry and high-tech manufacturing. All work together to enjoy the mix of the county's wide open spaces and urban density. Georgia-Pacific, Sharp Microelectronics and Hewlett-Packard are some of the top employers in Vancouver and Clark County.
Vancouver's climate is typical for the Southwest Washington region. It has moderately dry summers and mild winters. The average annual temperature is 50 degrees; perfect everyday of the year.
~ The History of Vancouver ~ The Klickitat and the Chinook Native American tribes once inhabited the area before 1806 when the Lewis and Clark expedition found the area. The area was once called Ala Si Kas meaning land of mud turtles. After Lewis and Clark settled in the area, Lewis noted that it was the only desirable land west of the Rocky Mountains. The first permanent settlement was in 1825 when whites settled in the area and Fort Vancouver was established. The Hudson Bay Company used it as a fur trading post. From then on, Britain and the US settled in the area under joint occupation. In June of 1846, this joint occupation ended. It was then that the Oregon treaty was signed, which gave full control of the land to the United States. On January 23, 1857, Vancouver was officially incorporated.
Vancouver is divided by Andersen Road and split East and West. Downtown Vancouver sits in West Vancouver; it has mixed use development and high density. More of the historical parts of the city are in this part of town. East Vancouver is in alteration sitting between suburban development and rural farm-land. Vancouver may become Washington's second largest city if it gets the approval for the Burnt Bridge Creek annexation. It will surpass Spokane and Tacoma to put it higher in large city ranks.
~ Education in Vancouver ~ Vancouver is served by two school districts; the Vancouver School District, which serves most of West Vancouver. It has six middle schools, six high schools and twenty-six elementary schools in the district. The Evergreen School District, serves most of East Vancouver. It has four high schools, six middle schools and two high schools in the district. There is also the Washington State School for the Blind and the Washington School for the Deaf.
There is twelve private schools in the Vancouver area along with two colleges and universities. The Fort Vancouver Regional Library District serves thirteen libraries and three bookmobiles.
*This information based on the 2000 census report.
~ Transportation in Vancouver ~ There are two major interstates in Vancouver; I-205 and I-5. Each of these interstates travel north to south into Portland, Oregon. SR-14 is one of the few heavily traveled highways in the area. It begins in downtown Vancouver and runs east. SR-500 starts in north Vancouver at 39th street and travels east into Orchards. SR-501 begins at I-5 and travels west through Vancouver Lake and Columbia River.
Sitting alongside the Columbia River is the Port of Vancouver. The port separates Washington and Oregon. Over 400 vessels pass through the port annually along with several barges that travel the river as far as Idaho.
Public mass transportation is provided by the Clark County Public Transportation Benefit Area Authority (C-TRAN). The C-TRAN offers para-transit vehicles, van-pools, and over 135 buses. Some express routes go into downtown Portland.
Portland's MAX Light Rail System travels through downtown Vancouver. The city also has several railroad services such as Lewis and Clark Railway, Union Pacific and BNSF.
The national passenger rail system, Amtrak, is in west Vancouver. Amtrak travels from Vancouver to Eugene, Oregon, St. Paul Minneapolis, North Dakota, Grand Forks, Spokane, Washington, Portland, Seattle, Tacoma, Los Angeles, San Fransisco, Emeryville, California, and Sacramento, California.
Air transportation is provided by the Pearson Field Airport, which has no commercial air service, but flies to the commercial airport of Portland International Airport.
~Recreation and Attractions~ There are many attractions and activities in the community of Vancouver. Around town you will find parks with ball fields, ball courts, playgrounds, picnic areas, recreation centers, pavilions and walking trails. There is miles and miles of bike paths along with museums, wildlife centers, and other outdoor spots such as Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, Mount St. Helens Volcano cam and Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
There are also several annual events that include a Fourth of July fireworks display, held at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, and the Vancouver Wine and Jazz Festival is the biggest jazz festival in the state and is held in Esther Short Park.
The Vancouver Sausage Fest is held each September and is hosted by the St. Joseph Catholic School. This event is held over a three day period.
Vancouver is also home to many art groups such as Clark College's theater department, the New Blue Parrot, Vancouver On Stage, Public Playhouse, Magenta Theatre, The Old Slocum House Theatre Company, Vancouver Community Band, Bravol Vancouver - monthly concert series, Arts Equity Inc., Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and Junior Symphony of Vancouver.
Come see for yourself, why everyone loves Vancouver so much.
