Welcome to the Victoria Welsh Society online.

Notices

A Welsh Society existed in the City of Victoria in the 1920s and 1930s, however its configuration and continuity fluctuated over time. Today the Welsh Society is one of a number of ethnic and cultural organizations that contributes to the community of choice for people from all over Canada, the USA and many other countries.

Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, is located near the southern tip of Vancouver Island which is larger than Wales - 31,284 square kilometres compared to 20,764 kilometres. The population of the Island is about 701,000, with Greater Victoria being the dominant urban area having a population of over 350,000. Cardiff, the capital of Wales, is of a similar size with a population of 328,000.

The City is the oldest in Western Canada and is one of the 12 municipalities that make up the Capital Regional District. Founded in 1843 as a Hudson's Bay Company trading post and named in honour of Queen Victoria, it grew around a fine harbour that remains a busy, yet very attractive, seaport. Today, the city is known for both its old world charm and for being the commercial and cultural heart of the Region. The downtown core has a unique historical atmosphere created by the presence of many well-preserved nineteenth and early twentieth century brick buildings. The inner harbour is always abuzz with boats and ships of various sizes, seaplanes, kayaks, and even a few resident seals.

Victoria has been called the City of Festivals, hosting no less than 22 annual events between February and November each year. It has been ranked first among the world's cities for environment and ambience according to New York-based Condé Nast Traveler magazine. Also, in 2005 the city was designated a Cultural Capital of Canada.

Frequently described as Lotus Land, this part of the Island has some of the most moderate weather in all of Canada. The summers are warm and dry and the winters are balmy; located in a sub-Mediterranean zone, there is an 8-month frost-free season.

For more details about the City see its web site: www.city.victoria.bc.ca