Population:
168,000
Elevation:
3 feet above sea level
Area:
50 square miles
Location:
The City of Richmond is located on Canada's Pacific Coast in the province of
British Columbia within the Greater Vancouver Regional District in close
proximity to downtown Vancouver and the U.S. border. It is comprised of a series
of islands in the mouth of the Fraser River. They include Sea Island, most of
Lulu Island, and fifteen smaller islands.
Time Zone:
Richmond is located within the Pacific
Standard Time Zone, which puts it three hours behind the Eastern Time Zone (when
it is 11a.m. here, it is 2p.m. in cities like Toronto) and four hours behind the
Atlantic Time Zone.
Area Code:
The telephone area code for Richmond is
604. This area code must be used when dialing local telephone numbers (ie.
604-888-8888), and also when dialing long distance telephone numbers (ie.
1-604-888-8888). The 604 area code applies when dialing anywhere in the Lower
Mainland.
Local Seasons:
Richmond enjoys a
temperate west coast climate.
Unlike other parts of Canada the west coast gets little or no snow most winters,
and because of Richmond's distance from the mountains, the average rainfall is
30% less than Vancouver's, making this city a great choice to visit.
In spring, see and hear the territorial flights
of hummingbirds as bog flowers bloom below. Summer days are long, and the trails
provide cool evening walks. Fall brings owls, northern migratory birds, and
spectacularly-colored foliage as well as the annual Cranberry Festival. It’s the
largest in Canada and a must see event. In winter, hear the songs of thrushes
and see winter birds at the feeders, or follow coyote tracks in the snow.
Summer is a special time in Richmond. Seeing a magnificent whale enjoying a day
at sea is a sight never to be forgotten.
Weather:
Average High Temperature
Average Days Without Precipitation
Month
Celsius:
Fahrenheit:
January
5.6
42
February
7.5
46
March
9.2
49
April
11.9
53
May
15.3
60
June
21.0
72
July
24.2
78
August
25.3
80
September
19.7
70
October
13.1
56
November
8.6
47
December
5.9
43
Month:
Avg:
January
11
February
11
March
14
April
15
May
19
June
20
July
24
August
23
September
20
October
15
November
10
December
10
Getting there
By Air
Vancouver International Airport
3211 Grant McConachie Way, Richmond, B.C. V7B 1Y7
604-207-7077
Vancouver International Airport is your entry
point into Richmond by air. The airport is located in the City of Richmond.
Regular bus service, taxi service, limousine
service and hotel shuttle is available to take you to your destination from the
airport.
By Car
If traveling by car, you can access Richmond via Highway 1, Highway 10 or
Highway 99, depending on your starting point. From the U.S., Interstate 5 will
bring you across the U.S. Border and into Canada. From there, follow Highway 99
Northbound into the city.
By Ferry
B.C. Ferries is another way in which to travel to
Richmond. The Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal or the Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal will
both bring you into Richmond. From the Tsawwassen terminal you are approximately
30 minutes from the city, while the Horseshoe Bay terminal is approximately 60
minutes travel time.
Getting around:
By Ferry
604-277-0277
The B.C. Ferry terminal is only 20 minutes from
downtown Richmond with sailings to Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.
Regular daily sailings to Swartz Bay (Victoria) leave the Port of Tsawwassen
every two hours on the odd hour with more frequent sailings during summer months
and holidays. Daily sailings are also available on the Mid-Island Express from
Tsawwassen to Nanaimo.
Call the Ferry Hotline at
for rates and seasonal schedules. Advance reservations can be
made for an additional fee. Paid parking is also available if you want to leave
your vehicle at the Ferry Terminal on the mainland.
By Bus
The Coast Mountain Bus Company services operate
throughout Richmond and Greater Vancouver and are easy to access and very
convenient. Call 604-521-0400
for routes and schedules.
Taxation:
Goods & Services Tax (GST)
Provincial Sales Tax (PST)
Most goods and services are subject to both GST (7%) and PST (7.5%). These taxes
may be in addition to the price of an item. Out of country visitors are eligible
for rebates of the GST paid on certain goods and accommodations. Receipts will
verify the amount of tax paid. Exemptions from GST exist for certain goods and
services. For more information, call within Canada 1-800-66-VISIT, or outside
Canada (902) 432-5608.
National Holidays:
New Years Day January 1
Good Friday Varies
Easter Monday Varies
Victoria Day Monday proceeding
May 25
Canada Day July 1 The
Holidays Act provides that July 2 is Canada Day when July 1
is a Sunday.
Labour Day First Monday in
September
Thanksgiving Day Second Monday of
October
Remembrance Day November 11
Christmas Day December 25
Boxing Day December 26
Richmond
