(Abbr. BC or B.C.)
A province of western Canada bordering on the Pacific Ocean. It joined the confederation in 1871. The coastal area was first explored by Capt. James Cook in 1778. Victoria Island was a separate colony from 1849 until 1866, when it was combined with the mainland territory. Victoria is the capital and Vancouver the largest city. Population: 4,110,000.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2007. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
