Vancouver is the most populous city in British Columbia, consistently ranked in the top three most livable places. It is home to only about 600 thousand people. Still, the metropolitan area’s total population is more than 2.5 million, making it the third-most populous in Canada and the largest west of Toronto. The economy of the metropolis is based on finance and services. The port of Vancouver, the most important port on the Pacific coast, is exported more than any other port in North America. as “North Hollywood.” The presence of leading research universities in the region (British The low cost of doing business attracts many film producers, so Vancouver is known Columbia, Victoria, Simon Fraser) has made possible the development of the high-tech industry, including telecommunications and the development of video games. Across the strait from Vancouver itself is the island of the same name, the capital of which bears the proud name of Victoria. Vancouver Island is home to a large number of local businesses.