Prince Rupert is a small port town on British Columbia's lush northwest coast.
The city occupies almost a third of a small island, Kaein, though this fact is not obvious, as the island is subtly connected to the mainland by a bridge that is part of Highway 16.
Prince Rupert is the last stop on the east-west Highway 16, about a seven-hour drive from Prince George, Northern BC's largest urban centre. Its closest city is Terrace, approximately an hour and a half by vehicle, east on Highway 16.
Several small First Nations communities are also the town's neighbours. Port Edward is located about 10 minutes away, is the nearest village and the only one that can be reached by vehicle. Go east on Highway 16 and right at the sign directing drivers to the village. Other communities, including Port Simpson and Metlakatla, are either a ferry, boat or plane ride away.
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Alaska and the Harbour
Alaska's southernmost islands are just north of Prince Rupert and the official American-Canadian border, which cuts through the Pacific Ocean, is even closer.
Visitors looking over the city's harbour, Chatham Sound, will see small uninhabited islands covered in rich green forests, some of which are old-growth. Get closer by boat and some of the islands have sandy beaches and unique rock formations, including ancient petroglyphs.
Residential and Commercial Prince Rupert
Prince Rupert's 12 or so downtown blocks, along with the main tourist shopping hub of Cow Bay, are hilly. They are also central, though said to be on the west side of town. Further west, a two-minute drive from downtown, is the Prince Rupert rail station and the newly expanded port, a gateway to Asia which recently brought new life to the area's economy. The train tracks that connect to the rail station and port wrap around the south and east side of Kaien Island to connect with and follow Highway 16.
On the east side of town are more residential homes as well as a public dock and seaplane base. Farther east along Highway 16 is the industrial park, car manufacturers and mechanics, and several small lakes and walking paths, including Butze Rapids, a popular trail through old-growth rainforest.
Climate and Weather
Prince Rupert has a cool-to-mild climate. Average temperatures range between 4˚C and 17˚C. The city doesn't usually get snow in the winter but sometimes heavy storms rush through. The port city is actually the rainiest city in Canada, with an average of 250cm/100in rainfall annually, which contributes to the area's remarkable rainforests.
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