Campbell River, a city nestled on the east coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, is a gem waiting to be discovered. With a population of 32,588 (as per the 2016 census), this city is renowned as the "salmon capital of the world." It is strategically located at the south end of Discovery Passage, a significant shipping route along the 50th parallel north. The city is in close proximity to the communities of Quadra and the Discovery Islands, Sayward, Oyster River, Gold River, Tahsis, and Zeballos.
The first known settlers in Campbell River were the Island Comox and related Coast Salish peoples. However, the 18th century saw a migration of Kwakwaka'wakw people from the area of Fort Rupert. These newcomers, known as the Euclataws, established themselves in the Campbell River area, where they enslaved and later absorbed the Comox.
In 1792, Captain George Vancouver reached Campbell River aboard the ships HMS Discovery and HMS Chatham. The channel between Quadra Island and Campbell River, known as Discovery Passage, was named after HMS Discovery. The city of Campbell River got its name from Dr Samuel Campbell, the ship surgeon aboard HMS Plumper, which came through on a cartography mission under Captain George Henry Richards around 1859.
The city became a popular destination for sports fishermen in the 1880s, thanks to tales from anglers such as Sir Richard Musgrave and Sir John Rogers. The formation of the Campbell River Tyee Club in 1924 further popularized the area among fishermen.
Campbell River experiences a Mediterranean climate, with the most precipitation measured in November, averaging 231 millimetres. January tends to see the most snow, averaging 15.2 centimetres. During winter, occasional Arctic bursts from the interior of British Columbia can bring temperatures below freezing.
As per the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Campbell River had a population of 35,519 living in 15,557 of its 16,194 total private dwellings. This marked a change of 7.6% from its 2016 population of 33,007.
Campbell River is served by the Campbell River Airport, Campbell River Water Aerodrome at Campbell River Harbour, and a BC Ferries route to Quadra Island. The city is also connected to the rest of Vancouver Island through an inland island highway and an oceanside island highway. The Campbell River Transit System provides bus service to the city and neighbouring communities.
Since 1983, Campbell River has been a sister city of Ishikari, in the Hokkaido region of Japan. This twinning was based on the importance of salmon to both cities.
In recent years, Campbell River has continued to mark the boundary between the more developed south and the wild and natural areas of the northern part of Vancouver Island. Local fish hatcheries help to maintain salmon stocks for the fishing industry. The city's rich history, coupled with its natural beauty, makes it a must-visit destination for tourists and history enthusiasts alike.
