Victoria is the 15th largest metropolitan area in Canada. Greater Victoria, has a population of 344,615 and is the largest urban area on Vancouver Island. Victoria has a temperate climate with mild, rainy winters and cool, dry and sunny summers.
One of the most striking features of Victoria's climate is that it has distinct dry and rainy seasons. Victoria experiences the driest summers in Canada (outside of the extreme northern reaches of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut). The city takes pride in the many flowers that bloom during the winter and early spring, including crocuses, daffodils, early-blooming rhododendrons, cherry and plum trees.
Victoria is about 100km (62 miles) from British Columbia's largest city, Vancouver. Victoria is also the same distance from Seattle by airplane, ferry, or the Victoria Clipper passenger-only ferry which operates daily. It is only 40km (25 miles) from Port Angeles, Washington by the Coho ferry across the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Victoria is very popular with boaters with its beautiful and rugged shorelines and beaches. Victoria is also popular with retirees, who come to enjoy the temperate and usually snow-free climate of the area as well as the usually relaxed pace of the city.