Vancouver Island   If you're looking for a home, recreational property, or business - Vancouver Island has a community to match your lifestyle. Vancouver Island is a large, sparsely populated area, encompassing Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, 460 kilometers (285 miles) long and ranges from 50-130 kilometers (30-80 miles) wide and has it all. From swimming, boating, kayaking, hiking, and fishing to skiing and snowboarding!      The Vancouver Island region is has one of the world's most diverse ecosystems: Rainforests, marshes, meadows, beaches, mountains, oceans, rivers and lakes create habitats for multitudes of wildlife species. In fact, the region is one of the world's premier locations for whale watching, birding, as well as salmon and trout fishing. Much of the island is protected parkland. It contains many pockets of old-growth fir and cedar forests, as well as rare, naturally occurring groves of Garry oak. Vancouver Island is bisected, north to south, by the Beaufort Mountain Range, which is home to one of Canada's biggest all-natural ski bases. The beauty and tranquility of this region has long been a draw for artists and artisans. Galleries, studios and shops selling unique, locally produced arts and crafts are found in many population centers, particularly on the Gulf Islands.