Gulf Islands

Group of 225 Canadian islands in the Strait of Georgia, between the southeastern tip of Vancouver Island and the mainland of southwestern British Columbia and northwestern Washington State. The largest and most populous of them is Saltspring Island (measuring 26 km/16 mi from north to south and 3-11 km/2-7 mi in width); the town of Ganges here is the largest settlement on the islands.

Many American Indian peoples traditionally used the islands for gathering food, yet the first permanent settlers on Saltspring were a group of Black Americans, who started an agricultural community there in the 1850s. Crop growing, as well as commercial forestry, dairy farming, and sheep ranching are still important economic activities. In recent years, the mild climate and improved ferry service have attracted many tourists and people seeking retirement homes, while the rugged, unspoilt terrain is popular with hikers and naturalists. Bruce Peak (704 m/2,310 ft) on the west coast of Saltspring is the highest point on the islands.