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Salt Spring Island is the largest and most populated of the Canadian Gulf Islands at seventeen miles long and nine miles wide. Salt Spring lies in the sheltered waters off the east coast of Vancouver Island, midway between Victoria and Vancouver BC. Salt Spring Island is accessible by three ferry routes and three scheduled airlines from Vancouver. Ganges is the primary village on Salt Spring and the location of most shops, stores, galleries and services. Ganges Post Office is located at Latitude 48° 51’N Longitude 123° 30’W. Vancouver PO North and Victoria PO South are both 30 (nautical) miles from the Ganges PO - as the Bald Eagle flies. Demographics
Recreation
Arts & Crafts
Shopping & Eating
Accommodation
Transportation
Annual Events
More detailDemographics:Ganges is the largest community, located near the geographic centre of the Island. There are other communities with stores and or restaurants: Fulford in Fulford Harbour to the south, Vesuvius near Vesuvius Bay to the west and Fernwood on the east coast. The Island is 27 km long and 14 km wide. The perimeter is 78 km (48 miles), and the shoreline is 134 km (83 miles). Other mountains: Hope Hill 648m (2,126 ft.), Mount Tuam, Mount Sulivan 630m (2,067 ft.), Baynes Peak in Mount Maxwell Park 605m (1,985 ft.) Mount Erskine 440m (1,444 ft.). The Coast Guard has two boats, six permanent and five temporary staff, plus sixteen or more auxiliary volunteers. Ambulance services features one station, two Vehicles, one manager and 32 volunteer paramedics. Lady Minto Hospital has 19 acute- and 31 extended-care beds, plus ten general practitioners, and five Specialists The Greenwoods Intermediate Care facility has 49 regular-, one respite-, and one overnight respite-beds. The local RCMP detachment has one Sergeant-in-charge, two corporals and five constables. Fire Department has eight trucks, one emergency response vehicle, four on-staff firefighters, and 31 volunteers. Farms include: sheep and lamb products, orchards, poultry, certified organic Growers, llamas, and cheese. Ferry Terminals: Long Harbour to the Mainland, Fulford and Vesuvius to Vancouver Island. Churches: Anglican, Baha’i, Buddhist, Mormon, Community Gospel, Eckankar, Jehovah’s Witness, Quaker, Roman Catholic, Baptist, Pentecostal, United Church. RecreationBeaches: There are eight lakes, although only five have public beaches, plus 22 ocean beaches with four designated for swimming. The swimming Pool is small and open, mostly for children and families. Tennis courts are located at three locations on the Island with a total of five public courts. Disk or Frisbee golf has become a major activity in Mouat Park, at Ganges. Boat Charters are available for sailing or power cruises and with several fishing charters companies. Camping is primarily located at Ruckle Provincial Park with some private sites on Saint Mary Lake. Cycling is popular but most roads are narrow and none have shoulders. Hiking is a major activity with many mountain, beach, and park trails. Kayaking is currently the most popular activity and there are four organizations offering equipment. Arts and Crafts:Artcraft in Ganges is open all summer and displays crafts for several hundred Artisans on the Island. Artspring in Ganges is a Performing and Visual Arts Centre presenting entertainment and displays. Saturday Market in the Park is famous for displaying local art, crafts and garden products. The Studio Tour involves a map showing about 40 specialty studios around the Island. Currently the following artists or studio’s are listed:
Transportation:Taxi service - one company offers three cabs. The Water Taxi service offers regular trips to the other Gulf Island, custom trips, and tours. Air Lines - currently three - offer float plane service to Vancouver Harbour and Vancouver International Airport, with regular flights scheduled in the morning and afternoon. Car, truck, scooter, and bicycle rentals are available. Public bus facilities are not available on the island. Sponsor of the Salt Spring Island Community Economic Development Project. Moving to Salt Spring Island? Visit Welcomewagon.ca. Salt Spring Island is known locally for it's annual banana-growing competition. See samples of our palm trees and others at palmtrees.cybersites.ca |
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