What is Nanaimo?
1.
Nanaimo (na 'nai mo),
is the second largest city on
Nanaimo is about 55 km west of Vancouver, separated by the Strait of Georgia, but directly linked to Vancouver via BC Ferries. By virtue of its proximity to Vancouver, Nanaimo is the gateway to many other destinations both on the island —
Nanaimo began as a trading post in the early 1800s; in 1849 the Snuneymuxw chief Ki-et-sa-kun ("Coal Tyee") informed the Hudson's Bay Company of the presence of coal in the area, and in 1853 the company built a fort known as the Nanaimo Bastion (still preserved). Subsequently the town was chiefly known for the export of coal. The 1887 Nanaimo Mine Explosion killed 148 miners and was the largest man-made explosion until the Halifax Explosion. In the 1940s, lumber supplanted coal as the main business, although Minetown Days are still celebrated in the neighbouring community of Lantzville.
Notable Persons from Nanaimo:
Cameron Bright, Child actor
Kim Cattrall, Actress
Justin Chatwin, Actor
Glen Clark, Politician
Joe: "You still living in
Campbell River ?"
Simon: "Nope, moved to Nanaimo."
See