Richmond is situated on a group of 17 islands directly south of the city of Vancouver.
By car or bus, it takes about 20 minutes to reach most parts of Richmond from downtown Vancouver. The Canada Line rapid transit train link also takes travelers from Vancouver International Airport (YVR), which is in Richmond, to downtown Vancouver in 26 minutes.
Overall, the city occupies an area of 130sq km/50sq mi. The largest of Richmond's islands is Lulu Island. It sits at the mouth of the Fraser River, British Columbia's longest river. The north and south arms of the Fraser River branch around Lulu Island, which, like neighbouring islands, was formed by glacial silt deposits. Sea Island, to the northwest, is home to the airport.
Three bridges connect Richmond to Vancouver: the Arthur Laing Bridge, the Oak Street Bridge and the Knight Street Bridge. Other neighbouring communities include New Westminster to the northeast and Delta to the southeast.
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Landscape and Climate
Richmond's terrain is remarkably flat, located at sea level, and rich in alluvial farmland. The city is protected from flooding by 80km/50mi of dykes. Richmond is located on the Pacific Flyway, and some 1.4 million birds migrate through Richmond annually. Fish, including six species of salmon, also flourish in the Fraser River estuary.
With the changing economy, the number of working farms is now less than 250. Still, nearly 40% of Richmond falls within the Agricultural Land Reserve, amounting to 4,916ha/12,147ac. Major crops include cranberries and blueberries. Otherwise, Richmond is a mix of industrial developments and residential and commercial properties.
Like the rest of the Metro Vancouver region, Richmond has a mild coastal climate. Average daily high temperatures peak at 23°C/73°F in the summer and dip to 7°C/45°F in the winter. The average annual rainfall in Richmond is 111cm/44in.
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